Days after the Seahawks' 2022 season came to an end, Pete Carroll was asked what his team needs to do in order to improve what was an inconsistent defense.
"We are going to have to become more dynamic up front, we have to," Carroll said… "We need guys to be an issue for the opponents."
And looking to get that done, the Seahawks kicked off free agency by signing defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, a player they see as a potential difference maker for their defensive line.
2024 Free Agency Tracker
Stay up to date with the 2024 Free Agency Tracker to view new additions to the team and those that have re-signed to stay in Seattle.
The Seahawks haven't frequently jumped into the early stages of free agency under Carroll and general manager John Schneider, but they made an exception in order to acquire Jones in the initial wave of moves, a signing that became official on Thursday. Jones, a disruptive and versatile pass-rusher in Denver, part of what the Seahawks hope will be a rebuilt and improved defensive front in 2023.
"It seems like the best fit for me," Jones said after signing. "They have a promising team, a lot of good pieces offensively and defensively. It just seems like the right place to make a new start, have a new beginning."
The 26-year-old Jones, who was a third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2019, had 6.5 sacks along with 47 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits in 13 games last season. In four seasons, Jones has 22 sacks, including 5.5 or more in each of the past three seasons.
"I'm definitely a hungry player," he said. "I'm here to be a solution, not a problem. All my life I've been an underdog in a way, always kind of counted out in a way. So that's what motivates me, that's what drives me. Every play, every game, I take it very seriously."
In addition to Jones, the Seahawks also added Jarran Reed, who spent his first five seasons in Seattle before playing in Kansas City and Green Bay the last two seasons. The Seahawks also released a pair of defensive linemen from last season's team, Shelby Harris and Quinton Jefferson. With free agency just getting started and with 10 picks in this year's draft, including four in the first two rounds, the Seahawks aren't done adding to their defensive line, but the additions of Jones and Reed are a solid early start to rebuilding that group.
Before signing, Jones said he talked to some of his former Denver teammates who joined the Seahawks last season via trade.
The feedback he received was, "It's a good place with a good foundation. They have a lot of people who genuinely care about you as a player and a person. That's what I need, a system and organization that cares about me beyond football."
Take a look at photos of defensive end Dre'Mont Jones from his first four seasons in the NFL. Jones signed with the Seahawks as a free agent on March 16, 2023. Read more.
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) plays against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) walks on the field during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) lines up during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones in action against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Brandon Allen (8) looks to throw as Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones runs with the ball after a fumble against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) takes part in drills during an NFL football practice Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones takes part in drills during an NFL football practice Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones takes part in drills during an NFL football practice Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) rushes against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones #93 rushes the passer during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones #93 hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) walks off the field after defeating the Miami Dolphins 20-13 in an an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov.. 22, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) lines up against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov.. 29, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, right, pulls on the jersey off Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during an NFL football game, Sunday, December 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
The helmet of Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) sits on the heater with a 44 sticker in remembrance of Floyd Little during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) takes part in drills at an NFL football training camp at team headquarters Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp at the team's headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) while taking part in drills during an NFL football training camp at the team's headquarters Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) lines up with linebacker Justin Strnad (40) behind against against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) takes the field for the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) walks on the field against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones responds to a question during a news conference Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at the NFL football team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) and defensive end Shelby Harris (96) take a knee on the field during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Denver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96), defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) and defensive tackle McTelvin Agim (95) sit in the bench during the national anthem before the start of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) celebrates against the Washington Football Team during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones comes onto the field for their NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, is sacked for a 6-yard loss by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) reacts against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones takes part in drills at the NFL football team's headquarters Monday, May 23, 2022, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones takes part in drills during the NFL football team's training camp Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Broncos' headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones takes part in drills during the NFL football team's training camp Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Broncos' headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) runs out before an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in Seattle. The Seahawks beat the Broncos 17-16. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) celebrates after stopping Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) celebrates against the Houston Texans of an NFL football game Sunday, Sep 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones speaks after an NFL football game, against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Denver. The Broncos defeated the Texans 16-9. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) against the Indianapolis Colts of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) celebrates against the Indianapolis Colts of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) and linebacker Josey Jewell (47) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) prior to an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 17, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 19-16 in overtime. (John McGillen via AP)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) lines up during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Trey Pipkins III (79) blocks Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) during an NFL football game on Monday, October 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 17, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 19-16 in overtime. (John McGillen via AP)
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) avoids the sack by Denver Broncos' Dre'Mont Jones (93) and Bradley Chubb (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) celebrate a play by acting out sipping tea together during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Broncos defeated the Jaguars 21-17. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) celebrate a play by acting out taking tea together during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Broncos defeated the Jaguars 21-17. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. The Denver Broncos defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-17. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (42), from left, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) lie on the pitch after a tackle during the NFL football game between Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium London, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) speaks during a press conference after the NFL football game between Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium London, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Denver Broncos won by 21-17. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) prepares to rush during their game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones stands on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) against the Kansas City Chiefs of an NFL football game Sunday, December 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) against the Kansas City Chiefs of an NFL football game Sunday, December 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos linebacker Baron Browning (56) and Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) celebrate against the Kansas City Chiefs of an NFL football game Sunday, December 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) signals to teammates against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
