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It took nearly the entire first day of NFL free agency, but the Seattle Seahawks have made a big splash.
The Score’s Jordan Schultz reported on March 13 that the Seahawks planned to sign defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones in free agency. Jones has recorded at least 5.5 sacks in each of the past three seasons.
“Breaking: FA DT Dre’Mont Jones plans to sign with #Seahawks,” Schultz wrote on Twitter. “Game-wrecking player who had 47 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 9 TFLs and 10 QB hits in 13 games for the #Broncos last season.”
NFL Network’s James Palmer reported that Jones’ contract with the Seahawks is worth $51 million over three years. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Jones will receive $23.5 million in the first year of the deal.
The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta added on Twitter that it’s one of the biggest free agent contracts in Seahawks history.
Seahawks to Sign Dre’Mont Jones in NFL Free Agency: Report
The Seahawks entered free agency with needs along both the offensive and defensive lines. With Jones, the Seahawks have addressed the latter, which may have been the biggest weakness on the entire team in 2022.
Pete Carroll’s defense finished ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed and 27th in yards yielded per carry last season. In 9 of their 18 games, the Seahawks defense allowed more than 150 rushing yards.
After the Week 11 bye, Seattle opponents averaged 165.8 rushing yards per game (including the postseason). That includes a matchup at home where the Las Vegas Raiders rushed for 283 yards on November 27.
Clearly, the Seahawks needed to address their run defense this offseason, which they did by adding Jones. Pro Football Focus ranked Jones as the fourth-best interior defensive lineman available in free agency this offseason.
During 2022, Jones posted a career-high 47 combined tackles in 13 starts. He also tied career bests with 6.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss.
Jones made 15 starts from 2020-21, but the 2022 season was the first year he started in every game where he played.
The Denver Broncos drafted Jones in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. In four seasons with the Broncos, he amassed 133 combined tackles, including 28 tackles for loss, 38 quarterback hits and 22 sacks.
Dre’Mont Jones Makes Historic Decision to Join Seahawks
The Seahawks signing Jones is out of character for Carroll and general manager John Schneider.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson tweeted that Jones’ projected average annual salary on his $51 million contract is nearly double the highest average annual salary the Seahawks had previously signed an unrestricted free agent to during the Carroll-Schneider era.
Signing Jones likely means the Seahawks won’t be bringing back fellow defensive tackle Poona Ford. Seattle also departed with defensive tackle Shelby Harris, as the team released him on March 13.
Ford and Harris combined to record 79 total tackles and 5 sacks last season.
Jones could be an improve for the Seahawks against the run, but his real specialty is pass rushing. While Seattle was already ninth in sacks during 2022, the arrival of Jones gives the Seahawks a chance to feature a better pass rush next season even without Harris and Ford.
Shortly after signing his historic Seahawks deal, Jones shared with CBS Sports’ Rosina Anderson why he elected to sign with Seattle.
“I feel like they have the biggest belief in me,” Jones said. “They have a really promising team, and I am looking forward to transitioning to that city.”
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