The Seattle Seahawks are sticking with a familiar face at punter.
The Seahawks announced Friday they re-signed punter Jon Ryan to a four-year contract.
Ryan, who spent the past eight seasons with Seattle, is now the team’s longest-tenured player, since defensive tackle Brandon Mebane left to sign with the San Diego Chargers. Ryan, the franchise’s all-time leader in punts (607), averaged 45.5 yards per punt this past season, which ranked 16th in the NFL.
Ryan broke the news himself, tweeting: “Found out this morning that I will have the honor of playing in front of the greatest fans in the world for 4 more years.” The team later confirmed Ryan’s signing.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the deal was four years, $10 million, which averages out at $2.5 million per season. Ryan made $1.5 million this past season.
Ryan became the fourth unrestricted free agent retained by the Seahawks during the first three days of free agency, joining defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, cornerback Jeremy Lane and receiver Jermaine Kearse.
Bailey bolts for Cleveland
The Seahawks lost a second offensive lineman when Alvin Bailey signed with the Cleveland Browns.
Bailey, who played both tackle and guard, spent the previous three seasons with Seattle after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas in 2013. He started eight games during his tenure with the Seahawks, including three this past season as an injury replacement. Bailey was a restricted free agent, but was not tendered an offer by Seattle, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.
Bailey is the second Seahawks offensive lineman to sign elsewhere as a free agent, with starting guard J.R. Sweezy signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starting tackle Russell Okung, also an unrestricted free agent, remains on the market.
Seahawks receive 3 compensation picks
The NFL released its compensation picks for the 2016 draft, and Seattle received three picks.
The Seahawks received a third rounder (97th overall), fifth rounder (171st overall) and sixth rounder (215th overall) as a result of free-agent activity last offseason. Seattle lost several key free agents in 2015, including the likes of cornerback Byron Maxwell, linebacker Malcolm Smith and guard James Carpenter, while adding just a handful of players in free agency, such as Rubin and cornerback Cary Williams.
The picks give Seattle nine in the upcoming draft, which takes place April 28-30: a first rounder (26th overall), second rounder (56th), two third rounders (91st and 97th), fourth rounder (124th), fifth rounder (171st), sixth rounder (215th) and two seventh rounders (225th, 247th).
Wilson, Ciara engaged
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson announced his engagement to pop singer Ciara via Twitter on Friday.
Wilson tweeted: “She said Yes!!! Since Day 1 I knew you were the one. No Greater feeling …” He also included a 15-second video showing the two of them, with Ciara sporting a huge diamond on her ring finger.
Check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/seattlesidelines, and follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.
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