The Seahawks added another talented player to an already strong position group, signing safety Julian Love on Friday.
Love, who spent his first four seasons with the New York Giants, started all 16 games at safety last season and was voted a team captain, and over his four years has proved to be a versatile defensive back capable of playing safety, lining up in the box, playing in the slot and doing just about anything else asked of him.
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After signing his contract Friday, Love said he chose Seattle for "their vision of how they see their defenses. There's emphasis on playing a tenacious game, playing with juice, playing with energy, having smart players, and I think I fit that mold. And this city is electric. Getting to play against the Seahawks out here has been a cool experience for me, so I'm excited to play on the right side of things."
Love, a 2019 fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame, had a career-best 124 tackles last season, including six tackles for loss, as well as two interceptions, five passes defensed, and a fumble recovery. Love also has been a core special teams player throughout his four seasons. Asked to describe himself as a player, Love said he's mild-mannered off the field, but anything but that between the lines.
"I'm a little different off the field than what you might expect," he said. "I'm pretty cool, calm, collected, but I'm a fierce player. I like to describe it as, I'm the guy you're going to pick in pickup football behind the bleachers of a high school game. I'm a guy who can do it all, tackle well, play an aggressive style. Some people call me a silent assassin because I don't talk too much, but that's my game—it's a tough brand of football."
Another reason Love liked the idea of coming to Seattle was a chance to play for Pete Carroll, a former safety himself who has spent his career coaching up some of football's best defensive backs.
"He has energy, he has juice, and he makes you excited about the game of football, which is huge for a coach," Love said. "Not every coach does that. So I'm excited to be a student of a game under him. We were already talking ball in our brief moment together. So yeah, just the juice and passion he brings, it leaves a charge for sure."
Love joins a talented safety group that already includes Pro-Bowlers Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, as well as Ryan Neal, who is coming off of his best season. Neal is a restricted free agent, but the Seahawks placed the right of first refusal tender on him this week, meaning they can match any offer from another team. While that may seem like a lot of talented safeties, it's worth noting that, prior to Adams' injury in Week 1 last season, the Seahawks were planning on playing a lot of three-safety looks with Adams in the box taking the place of a linebacker, so there should be plenty of playing time available for multiple safeties, especially with players like Adams and Love offering so much versatility.
"I have a chance to join a special group," Love said. "You've got a few guys who are at the top of their game who I can learn the game of football. That's what I'm looking to do, I'm just looking to continue to build on my brand of football, continue to improve. I'm a young player, so I'm going to be learning the whole time while also playing well."
Take a look at photos of safety Julian Love from his first four seasons in the NFL, as well as his time in college at Notre Dame. Love signed with the Seahawks as a free agent on March 17, 2023. Read more.
Notre Dame's Julian Love (27) intercepts a pass and runs it back 69 yards for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 35-14. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame cornerback Julian Love, left, is tackled by Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Ball State running back Caleb Huntley, center, is tackled by Notre Dame defensive line Daelin Hayes, left, linebacker Drue Tranquill, and cornerback Julian Love, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Adetokunbo Ogundeji (91) celebrates a play with Julian Love (27) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
New York Giants' Julian Love (37) runs a drill with teammates during an NFL football minicamp at the team's training facility Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (37) reacts after Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel (4) recovered his own fumble in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (37) watches from the sideline in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (24) is tacked by Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (24) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) runs up the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 13-7. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants' Julian Love reacts after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Julian Love after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) gestures to the fans after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 13-7. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (20) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants' Julian Love speaks to reporters after a practice at the NFL football team's training facility in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Julian Love speaks to reporters after a practice at the NFL football team's training facility in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants safety Julian Love signs an autograph for a fan after the NFL football team's practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) celebrates after the Giants defeated the Tennessee Titans 21-20 in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) defends against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Julian Love (20) reacts during the second half an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) takes the field to face the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) wears decals of the American and Cuban flags on his helmet during an NFL football game, against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) arrives before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. The New York Giants won 27-22. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) huddles with teammates against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts the ball intended for Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) returns an interception over Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20), left, and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Kendric Pryor (14) pose after an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams, right, celebrates with Julian Love (20) after intercepting a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants defensive back Julian Love (20) returns an interception during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) takes the field for an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, December 12, 2022 in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) in action against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) talks with New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 27-24. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) leaves the field after winning 31-24 against the Minnesota Vikings following an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
