Getty Former Seahawks defensive tackle Shelby Harris at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022.
The Seattle Seahawks have shuffled through several prospective nose tackle throughout this offseason, and with Bryan Mone out for the foreseeable future, there was hope the team would bring back a familiar face, and re-sign defensive tackle Shelby Harris.
After spending months on the free agency market, however, the veteran has found a new home in the league. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was first to break the news on Wednesday, August 9 that Harris was signing with the Cleveland Browns.
Schultz tweeted that Harris signed a one-year deal with a max value of $5.25 million, which is roughly half the annual salary he was earning with the ‘Hawks.
In March, the Seahawks released Harris, whom they acquired via the blockbuster trade involving Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos last offseason, as a cost-saving measure. Harris still had one year left on the $27 million contract he signed with Denver, and by releasing the veteran, the team saved nearly $9 million against the salary cap.
With Poona Ford’s exit for the Buffalo Bills, and Seattle parting ways with Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods, the Seahawks’ depth at nose tackle is a problem. SI‘s Corbin K. Smith called re-signing Harris “a no-brainer, especially with few other viable veteran options available.”
“Harris stood out as one of the few bright spots for a disappointing defensive front last season. In his element playing in a Vic Fangio-style 3-4 scheme, he produced 44 tackles, two sacks, and four swatted passes,” Corbin wrote. Harris earned a 73.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for the 2022 NFL season.
However, The Seattle Times‘ Bob Condotta tweeted on Wednesday, “My understanding is Seattle retained interest in re-signing Harris after he was released in March. But I think the signing of Mario Edwards Jr., who has emerged as a starter in camp, probably put an end to that.”
The Seahawks Signed Former Dolphins DT Anthony Montalvo
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Earlier on Wednesday, the Seahawks announced yet another shakeup to their interior defensive line. Seattle signed rookie nose tackle Anthony Montalvo, a former undrafted free agent out of UCF, who initially signed with the Miami Dolphins in May.
The 6-2, 290-pound tackle recorded 130 total tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble during his college career. While Montalvo was doing well in Miami, NFL reporter Ari Meirov tweeted on August 6, “The #Dolphins are releasing DT Anthony Montalvo, per source. The undrafted free agent from UCF had a promising start to training camp, but it’s believed that Miami is seeking veteran help at the position.”
In order to facilitate the move, the Seahawks released injured second-year outside linebacker Joshua Onujiogu, who’s expected to hit IR after clearing waivers, unless he’s released with an injury settlement, Pro Football Talk‘s Josh Alper reported. Onujiogu suffered an elbow which may require surgery, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday.
Jarran Reed Looks to Be the Seahawks’ Starting Nose Tackle
GettyFormer Packers tackle Jarran Reed at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022.
As it stands, Mone still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers last season, and former XFL Seattle Sea Dragons defensive tackle Austin Faolui remains on the PUP list. Based on what he’s seen at training camp thus far, The Athletic‘s Mike Dugar reported, “(Jarran) Reed will be the starting nose, with (Dre’Mont) Jones and Edwards Jr. serving as the other starters on the interior.”
Reed, the Seahawks’ former second-round pick from the 2016 NFL Draft, signed a two-year, $9 million contract to return to Seattle this offseason. Depth at the position includes 2023 fifth-round pick Mike Morris, the Seahawks’ 2023 fourth-round pick, Cameron Young, undrafted rookie Robert Cooper (FSU), and Montalvo.