By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – A forgettable NFL career that has already taken 26-year-old quarterback Ryan Leaf through three cities will continue in the state where he last flourished.
The former Washington State University star signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, likely for the NFL minimum of $525,000. He signed the contract upon officially clearing waivers, 24 hours after being released by the Dallas Cowboys.
Leaf will join Seattle in a battle for the No. 3 quarterback position with rookies Jeff Kelly and Ryan Van Dyke.
“What I told Ryan is, ‘I’m not going to hand you anything,’” coach Mike Holmgren said. “The slate is clean but you’ve got to earn it and show me.’”
Leaf will be at the Seahawks headquarters in Kirkland today for a news conference.
Holmgren has been enamored with Leaf’s raw talent since the ex-Cougar came out in the 1998 NFL draft. Holmgren tried to trade for him as recently as last week, but Leaf was eventually placed on waivers after the Cowboys and Seahawks could not strike a deal.
Leaf spent the first three years of his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers after being selected with the second overall pick in the 1998 draft – behind Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning.
Although the Chargers traded two first-round picks, a second-round pick and two players for the rights to draft Leaf, his career in San Diego never panned out. A 48.7 quarterback rating during his tenure there was the least of the problems for Leaf, who had several run-ins with fans, teammates and front-office personnel.
“I think he came into the league with a lot of pressure on him and a lot of weight on his shoulders. He doesn’t have to do that now,” Holmgren said.
“What he has to do is get physically and emotionally healthy, he has to learn the system, and he has to feel good about playing quarterback again.”
After being released by the Chargers, Leaf briefly landed in Tampa Bay. But the Buccaneers released him in training camp, leading to his signing with the Cowboys.
Leaf played in four games with Dallas last season, completing 45 of 88 passes for 494 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Perhaps more important, the coaching staff was reportedly impressed with his attitude.
“Ryan Leaf was a team player throughout his entire time here and we wish him the absolute best,” Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said Monday.
“This is a decision that came down to numbers on our depth chart at the quarterback position, and we wanted to dedicated the practice repetitions to the younger players. Ryan did everything that was asked of him as a Cowboy, and he brought a positive presence to our locker room.”
The Seahawks are looking for a third quarterback after trading Brock Huard to Indianapolis last month. They selected Kelly (Southern Mississippi) in the seventh round of the draft and signed Van Dyke (Michigan State) as an undrafted free agent.
Trent Dilfer is the starting quarterback and Matt Hasselbeck is Dilfer’s backup.
During Leaf’s NFL career, he is 4-17 as a starter, with 3,666 yards passing, 36 interceptions and just 14 touchdown passes.
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