The Seahawks added defensive line help Friday, signing former Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson.
Johnson, 33, started 15 games last year for a Minnesota defense that led the NFL in total defense and scoring defense, and ranked second in both rush and pass defense.
Johnson took an unusual path to become an NFL starter in his 30s, spending time in NFL Europe with the Cologne Centurions, the Arena Football League with the Philadelphia Soul and the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders, where he was teammates with former Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner for two seasons. Johnson then signed with the Saints in 2011, spending three seasons in New Orleans before joining the Vikings in 2014.
The 6-foot-3, 288-pound Johnson has recorded 21 sacks and 163 tackles in his career, including 32 tackles and 2.0 sacks last season. According to Pro Football Reference, Johnson played 673 defensive snaps (67.6 percent) in 2017, the third most of any Vikings defensive lineman. Johnson has proven to be durable throughout his career missing only two games during his four seasons with the Vikings.
In signing Johnson, the Seahawks will hope to continue a successful trend of signing veteran interior defensive linemen to short-term deals. In the past, the Seahawks have gotten significant contributions from the likes of Alan Branch, Tony McDaniel and Ahtyba Rubin after signing them in free agency.
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Take a look back at photos of Tom Johnson's seven NFL seasons as the defensive tackle signs a free-agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson (96) in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, December 9, 2012. New York defeated New Orleans 52-27. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson (96) on the field during practice before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
CORRECTS TO COWBOYS QUARTERBACK TONY ROMO (9) NOT RATLIFF - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) hits the turf as New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson (96) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson (96) works before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Tom Johnson (96) waits between plays during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on November 10, 2013. The Saints defeated the Cowboys 49-17. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) takes the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday December 6, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson runs onto the field prior to 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' Tom Johnson (92) hauls in an interception against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Vikings won 22-10. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson looks on from 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 Tom Johnson (92) takes the field through smoke before the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson gets set for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson rushes in on defense in action against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won, 24-7. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson gets into his stance as he gets set on defense in action against the New Orleans Saints during a NFC Divisional playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 14 in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Saints 27-23. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) runs in pursuit during an NFL NFC conference championship playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 38-7.
