The Seahawks brought in more defensive line help on Saturday, signing former Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.
Stephen, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons in Minnesota, where he was active for 52 games from 2014-17 and started 20, including all 16 regular-season contests during the 2016 season. A seventh-round pick out of the University of Connecticut, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Stephen has logged 93 tackles and a sack over the last four years in the league, including a career-high 39 tackles during the Vikings' 2016 campaign that saw Stephen start every game.
Stephen marks the Seahawks' third defensive line signing in free agency this offseason. On Friday, Seattle signed defensive end Marcus Smith, who played for the Seahawks last season, as well as defensive tackle Tom Johnson, a starter in Minnesota last year. Pass rusher Barkevious Mingo, who's listed as a linebacker, was also added earlier this month.
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Take a look back at photos of Shamar Stephen's first four NFL seasons as the defensive tackle signs a free-agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen #93 during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 20-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen has a laugh on the sidelines in action against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Saints 29-19. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) during an NFL regular season football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Atlanta. The Vikings won, 14-9. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) chases the action during the 2017 NFL week 2 regular season football game against the against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won the game 26-9. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) looks into the backfield during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears on Monday, October 31, 2016. The Bears defeated the Vikings 20-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) rushes during the game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, Landover, MD. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 38-30. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) gets set for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Lions won 14-7. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) warms up on the goal post during an NFL preseason game between the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings, Aug. 18, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Shamar Stephen (93) clogs the line of scrimmage during an NFL game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minn. The Vikings won the game, 31-13. (Greg Trott via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (93) during an NFL preseason football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
