Seahawks free agent tracker (updated, 7:05 p.m.)

The NFL free agency signing period begins in earnest at 1 p.m. PST Wednesday. This is where I’ll post all things Seahawks related throughout the day.

The most significant news overnight was that linebacker Bruce Irvin, who played the previous four seasons in Seattle, apparently agreed to a four-year, $37 million deal with the Oakland Raiders, where he will be reunited with his former Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who is now Oakland’s defensive coordinator. That $9.25 million per year average is way out of Seattle’s price range (as expected), given the team’s financial limitations. So that’s one starter lost to free agency.

Here’s everything that’s happened in the lead up to the free agency period, as of about 9 a.m. Wednesday:

– DT Ahtyba Rubin (unrestricted free agent) RETAINED

The starter’s contract reported to be three years, $12 million.

– DT Jesse Williams (exclusive rights free agent) WAIVED

He spent all of last season on the non-football illness list.

– DT A.J. Francis (exclusive rights free agent) RETAINED

The back-up signed his tender offer from the team, reported to be one-year, $600,000.

– LB Bruce Irvin (unrestricted free agent) reportedly DEPARTED

The starting strong-side linebacker/pass rusher reportedly is signing a four-year, $37 million deal with the Oakland Raiders.

– DE Chris Clemons (unrestricted free agent, Jacksonville) VISITING

The former Seahawk is reportedly visiting Seattle with the possibility of returning to the team he played for 2010-13.

Check back later for more news throughout the day.

— UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.

The NFL released its official list of free agents. This list lets us know which restricted free agents the Seahawks decided not to tender offers to. There were five:

T Alvin Bailey

FB Derrick Coleman

WR Ricardo Lockette

RB Christine Michael

LB Nick Moody

Therefore, these players are now free agents and can sign with anyone, including the possibility of re-signing with Seattle.

The one Seahawks restricted free agent who did receive a qualifying offer was center Patrick Lewis.

— UPDATE, 2:35 p.m.

– DT Brandon Mebane (unrestricted free agent) DEPARTING

The San Diego Chargers announced they’ve signed Mebane to a three-year deal. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Mebane becomes the second defensive starter the Seahawks lost to free agency, joining linebacker Bruce Irvin. Mebane was Seattle’s longest-tenured player, having spent the previous nine seasons with the Seahawks. The big run stopper appeared in 15 games last season, recording 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The Seahawks were in a tough position to keep Mebane, who made $5.7 million last season. It became even more difficult after Seattle locked up fellow defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin to a three-year deal a day earlier.

— UPDATE, 3:15 p.m.

– G J.R. Sweezy (unrestricted free agent) DEPARTING

This just came across:

#Bucs agreed to terms with G J.R. Sweezy
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 9, 2016

That would be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sweezy spent the previous four seasons with the Seahawks, starting 46 games over the past three seasons. Opinions were split over how well Sweezy played during his time with Seattle, but he reportedly had plenty of suitors in the market. No word yet on the size of Sweezy’s contract.

With Sweezy gone, Mark Glowinski is the likely replacement. Glowinski received one start last season as a rookie and received good reviews.

Four of Seattle’s seven starters who were unrestricted free agents are now reportedly signed. Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin was retained, while Sweezy (Tampa Bay), linebacker Bruce Irvin (Oakland) and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (San Diego) have left. Seattle’s remaining unrestricted free agent starters are tackle Russell Okung, cornerback Jeremy Lane and receiver Jermaine Kearse.

Seattle has not signed any other team’s free agents.

— UPDATE 4:55 p.m.

The Seahawks announced they tendered offers to seven exclusive rights free agents. They are:

CB Marcus Burley

DT A.J. Francis

TE Cooper Helfet

LB Eric Pinkins

CB Mohammed Seisay

DB DeShawn Shead

FS Steven Terrell

The Seahawks therefore retain the rights to these players.

The one exclusive rights free agent who wasn’t tendered was defensive tackle Jesse Williams, who was waived Tuesday.

— UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.

First report of J.R. Sweezy’s deal with Tampa Bay, and it’s a big one:

G JR Sweezy’s deal with the Bucs: five years, $32.5 million.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2016

That amounts to $6.5 million per season, which is way too rich for the Seahawks.

— UPDATE, 5:50 p.m.

– CB Jeremy Lane (unrestricted free agent) reportedly RETAINED

Today has mostly been about departures for the Seahawks. But now apparently Seattle is getting one to stay:

The #Seahawks and CB Jeremy Lane have agreed to terms on a 4-year deal, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2016

Lane was in all likelihood a big priority for the Seahawks. He has just six career starts and a history of injuries. However, he moved into the starting lineup late last season and performed well. Just as important, he’s spent four years learning Seattle’s technique for cornerbacks. Perfecting that technique is not easy, as evidenced by the struggles of last year’s big-money free-agent signing, Cary Williams, who was released after appearing in 10 games.

So this is an important retention for the Seahawks.

— UPDATE, 7:05 p.m.

Here’s the numbers on Brandon Mebane’s contract with San Diego: