Brady HendersonESPN2 minute chapter
The Seattle Seahawks have signed former New York Giants safety Julian Love to a two-year, $12 million contract, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Love, who started 16 games last year and 32 in four seasons with the Giants, bolsters the Seahawks’ uncertainty. While their most glaring defensive needs are centered around their front seven, there is also a big question mark on their other side as strong safety Jamal Adams is coming off surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon.
Adams’ injury occurred in the first week of last season, but coach Pete Carroll said in January that his recovery will continue into the summer, raising questions about whether he will be ready by the opener.
Ryan Neal took over for Adams last season and was one of Seattle’s best defenders. The Seahawks tendered Neal a low offer as a restricted free agent at $2.627 million, which could prompt offers from other teams. Free safety Quandre Diggs, who made his second straight Pro Bowl in 2022, is under contract for two more seasons, while Adams is signed through 2025.
Love, 24, was the Giants’ team captain and full-time starting safety this past season for the first time in his career. He finished with a team-leading 124 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions, in addition to being a mainstay on special teams, including as a point guard.
The Notre Dame product bounced back and forth between cornerback and safety during the first three years of his professional career. He never seemed to find a permanent home, despite starting 16 games over those three seasons.
But after the Giants cut Logan Ryan last season, when the new administration came in, it opened the door for Love to play a bigger role. He was a mainstay in Wink Martindale’s defense and even became the team’s defensive playmaker after safety Xavier McKinney broke his hand in an off-road accident in an off-week.
The Giants, who selected Love as a cornerback in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, held contract talks with him during the bye week.
He has 291 tackles and 5 interceptions in four NFL seasons.
Also on Friday, the Seahawks addressed one of their biggest needs by signing former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. His contract is for one season, a source told Schefter. Bush, 24, was the 10th overall pick in 2019. He gives Seattle a chance to replace Cody Barton, who signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan contributed to this report.