Seahawks sign Quinton Jefferson to two-year, $9.5M deal

Quinton Jefferson is reportedly coming back to Seattle. The Seahawks are signing the defensive tackle, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. USA Today’s Josina Anderson reports that the contract is a two-year deal worth $9.5M, with a maximum value of $11M.

Jefferson, who will be 29 by the start of next season, began his career with the Seahawks in 2016. He played four seasons in Seattle, coming on as a pass-rushing presence with 6.5 total sacks in his final two seasons there. He then played for the Bills in 2020, racking up 23 tackles and three sacks.

That was followed by another one-year stint, this time with the Raiders. Starting all 17 games last season, the former fifth-round pick had a career year. He totaled 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. That earned him the sizeable raise this deal represents from the $3.25M he played for in 2021.

“My old D-line coach from when I was in Seattle before is the d-coordinator now,” he said, referring to Clint Hurtt, via Anderson. “It just made sense to go back. My house is there, my friends too. It’ll be good to see some familiar faces.”

Jefferson continues the ongoing makeover of the Seahawks defense. The team has lost the likes of Bobby Wagner, Carlos Dunlap and Kerry Hyder in the front seven recently, all as a result of releases. Bringing the Maryland product back is a reunion, but also therefore part of the unit’s reshaping.