The Seattle Seahawks added another player to help them get off the field on third down.
After a couple days of deliberation, Minnesota free-agent defensive back Antoine Winfield is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Seahawks.
Winfield, who turns 36 in June, visited Seattle earlier this week, and reportedly decided between returning to Minnesota or signing with either Seattle or Washington.
“I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to play in Seattle,” Winfield told ESPN. “They’re a great football team. Those guys did an excellent job last season.
“They’re young, athletic and energetic. I’m excited to play with Richard (Sherman), Brandon (Browner), Kam (Chancellor) and Earl (Thomas) because they’re some of the most talented players on defense in the NFL right now.”
The Vikings released Winfield last month in a salary-cap cutting move because he was scheduled to make more than $7 million in base salary. But Minnesota head coach Leslie Frazier wanted the veteran defensive back to return to the team.
With Seattle already settled at cornerback with Browner and Sherman, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Winfield likely will compete for time at nickel cornerback on passing situations, and will serve as a replacement for Marcus Trufant.
Other players expected to compete for time at nickel cornerback include Walter Thurmond, Jeremy Lane and Will Blackmon.
In 14 NFL seasons, Winfield has 27 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles. Winfield finished with 83 tackles, including 11 tackles for a loss, and three interceptions last season for Minnesota.
Winfield’s move west also brings some familiarity. He joins former Minnesota teammates Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, and former Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell in Seattle.
He also joins pass rushers Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Tony McDaniel as additions Seattle secured in free agency to help improve the team’s struggles on third down last season. The Seahawks allowed opponents to convert first downs 38 percent of the time on third down in 2012, 17th overall in the league.
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