When Austin Blythe hit free agency last year, there was speculation that the former Rams starting guard and center could follow offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson from Los Angeles to Seattle.
Instead, Blythe signed with Kansas City last offseason, but a year later, Blythe will reunite with two of his former coaches, having signed with the Seahawks on Monday.
"There's a lot of familiarity," Blythe said after signing Monday. "The offense is similar to what I've been accustomed to over the last few years, and it's just a good opportunity to come in and compete."
Blythe, 29, was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2016 draft, then ended up in Los Angeles a year later. He started at right guard for two seasons, starting all but one game of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, then moved to center in 2020, starting all 16 games.
While there is sure to be competition, Blythe will come to Seattle as a candidate for the starting job at center. Last year's starter for much of the season, Ethan Pocic, is a free agent, while Kyle Fuller, who opened the season as the starter, re-signed last week. Another name general manager John Schneider brought up this offseason is that of Dakoda Shepley, a former CFL player who the Seahawks claimed off waivers last fall. Blythe said he's coming in to compete wherever the Seahawks ask him to play, and thinks Seattle's offense will be a good fit for his game.
"It's a heavy zone-running offense, and that's what I did well in college, that's what I have done well in the NFL," he said. "I'm just very excited to come in and compete and get to work."
