Tag: re-signed

Seahawks make defensive end Branden Jackson re-signing official

The Seattle Seahawks have officially announced the re-signing of defensive end Branden Jackson, who had been released on July 26.

The Seattle Seahawks released defensive end Branden Jackson less than two weeks ago and now he’s once again a member of the roster.

The Seahawks public relations department tweeted the news on Thursday afternoon. Jackson’s potential re-signing was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport earlier this week.

The Seahawks now have one spot open on the 80-man roster.

Jackson originally joined the Seahawks in 2017 as a member of the practice squad before his eventual promotion to the active roster. He had re-signed his restricted free agent tender in April before he was released on July 26.

The terms of his new deal, however, will likely be less than the $2.133 million value of his restricted free agent tender.

Last season for Seattle, Jackson started three of 15 games played, logging 20 tackles, two passes defended and two sacks on the year.

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Lions announced Mike Ford and Dee Virgin have signed ERFA offers

The Detroit Lions have announced cornerbacks/special teamers Mike Ford and Dee Virgin have signed exclusive rights free agent offers.

The Detroit Lions have announced defensive backs Mike Ford and Dee Virgin have signed exclusive rights free agent offers.

“Ford returns for his third season with the Lions after posting 33 tackles (31 solo) and three pass defenses in 22 games played (six starts) over the 2018-19 seasons,” the Lions said in a press release. “He originally joined Detroit as an undrafted free agent out of Southeast Missouri State following the 2018 NFL Draft.”

Both Ford and Virgin played key roles on special teams, rotating with undrafted rookie safety C.J. Moore as the primary gunners on special teams. Ford also held down a key reserve role at cornerback and stepped up when his number was called against the Chiefs in Week 4.

“Virgin enters his third season with the Lions after joining the team via waivers from the Houston Texans prior to the 2018 season,” the Lions said in a press release. “In 19 career games, he’s posted 11 special teams tackles (10 solo) and one special teams forced fumble. He originally signed with the Texans as an undrafted rookie free agent out of West Alabama following the 2017 NFL Draft, and spent his rookie season on the team’s practice squad.”

The Lions have made a heavy investment in special teams this offseason, including adding Tony McRae, who was with Lions special teams coach Brayden Coombs last season in Cincinnati, and he will be in direct competition with Ford and Virgin for starting gunner roles this season.

Lions agree to terms with S/LB Miles Killebrew

The Detroit Lions announced they have agreed to terms with safety/linebacker Miles Killebrew.

After agreeing to terms with seven free agents and trading for Duran Harmon over the first four days of free agency, the Detroit Lions spent the fifth day boosting their special teams.

Earlier today they added nickelback/gunner Tony McRae and now they announced they have once again agreed to terms with safety/linebacker Miles Killebrew.

“Killebrew joined the Lions as a fourth-round selection (111th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Southern Utah,” the Lions said in a press release. “He has appeared in 63 career games (four starts) and has logged 56 tackles (45 solo), six pass defenses, two interceptions and one interception returned for a touchdown. Killebrew has also contributed 37 special teams tackles (33 solo) in his career.”

In 2019, Killebrew only played on 87 defensive snaps, typically at WILL linebacker, but he is a dynamic special teams player and saw 344 snaps in five different phases — punt coverage, punt return, kickoff coverage, kickoff return, and field goal/extra point blocking team.

Killebrew’s best path to the 53-man roster has always been on special teams and he will once again face stiff competition this year. Like Killebrew, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jayron Kearse, Steve Longa, and Jason Cabinda are all experienced special teamers and will be fighting for only a few available spots.

That being said, according to Pro Football Focus, last season Killebrew was the second-highest graded Lions’ player on special teams behind only Reeves-Maybin. If he can repeat his performance and continue to execute in the third phase of the game, the Lions will reward him with another season on the roster.

Full terms of Killebrew’s contract with the Lions were not released at the time this article was published, so stay tuned to Lions Wire for more updates.

Seahawks to re-sign defensive tackle Jarran Reed to 2-year deal

The Seahawks will be re-signing Jarran Reed to a two-year deal to keep the defensive tackle in Seattle for the near future.

The legal tampering period ahead of the official start of free agency kicked off on Monday and the Seahawks have made a few moves to keep some players in Seattle uniforms for the near future, including keeping one of their own key free agents on the defensive line.

Seattle will be re-signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a two-year contract worth $23 million, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

As Pelissero notes, this is a relatively short-term deal that would allow Reed to re-enter the market at a young age, should he later decide to test the waters elsewhere.

For Seattle last year, Reed appeared in 10 regular-season games and logged 27 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Reed sat out the first six games of the season as a result of his suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Although one piece of the Seahawks’ defensive line is locked up for the next two years, fans will have to continue to wait to see what’s in the cards for Seattle’s top unrestricted free agent, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

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