The Seahawks released guard D.J. Fluker on Monday, parting ways with a player who was a two-year starter at right guard and an important veteran presence in the locker room.
The Seahawks signed Fluker two years ago hoping the former first-round pick could bring his unique passion and attitude to their offensive line, and the big man from New Orleans did just that as Seattle's starting right guard the past two seasons.
"He's just, he loves the game," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said in 2018. "He loves to play. He loves practicing, he's got one of those personalities that's always upbeat, always looking to play tough, always wanting to push."
Fluker, who quickly became a fan-favorite with his energy and his upbeat demeanor, took to social media Sunday evening to say farewell to Seahawks fans.
Fluker, a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2013, spent his first four season with the San Diego Chargers before signing with the Giants in 2017. After one season in New York, Fluker signed with Seattle, reuniting with offensive line coach Mike Solari, who had been his position coach with the Giants. Fluker started 23 games over the past two seasons at right guard, a position that now should be open to a pretty deep competition in 2020.
The Seahawks drafted Damien Lewis in the third round of this year's draft, and Carroll said the former LSU starting right guard will compete for that job, but he'll have competition. The Seahawks have interior line help in free agency, signing B.J. Finney and Chance Warmack, and they also return young players who have shown potential in limited starts at guard, including Jamarco Jones and Jordan Simmons, as well as Phil Haynes, a 2019 fourth-round pick.
