The Seattle Seahawks avoided the annual hand-wringing that begins at the end of July, created by the haggling over contract terms in order to get rookies signed and into training camp on time.
The Seahawks announced Monday that the team agreed to terms with eight of 10 draft picks selected less than two weeks ago, including first-round pick defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but according to the National Football Post, Irvin agreed to a four-year, $9.34 million deal that’s fully guaranteed, including a signing bonus of over $5 million.
Last year’s No. 15 overall pick, Miami center Mike Pouncey, signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal that was fully guaranteed.
When the league and the NFL Players Association reached a 10-year deal on a collective bargaining agreement in August, it included a salary slotting scale for rookies, making it easier for teams to work out contracts for first-year players.
Irvin joined safety Earl Thomas (2010), defensive end Lawrence Jackson (2008) and cornerback Marcus Trufant (2003) as Seattle’s first-round picks to sign in time to make the first day of training camp in the past decade.
“I’m just ready to work,” Irvin said via Twitter. “The money is cool. If you took the money away, I still would play this game for free!”
Along with Irvin, other rookies who reached agreement include Utah Sate linebacker Bobby Wagner, a second-round choice; quarterback Russell Wilson, a third-round pick; linebacker Korey Toomer, a fifth-round choice; cornerback Jeremy Lane and strong safety Winston Guy, both picked in the sixth round; and offensive guard J.R. Sweezy and defensive end Greg Scruggs, both seventh-round draft choices.
Only fourth-round picks Jaye Howard out of Florida and Robert Turbin out of Utah State have not agreed to contracts .
The players are likely to sign their contacts before Seattle’s rookie minicamp begins Friday, giving them financial protection in case they get injured over the weekend.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 Eric.wiliams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
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