The Seahawks and free agent running back C.J. Spiller have agreed to terms, Rand Getlin of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Spiller will head west and join Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls in the Seahawks’ backfield.
It’s a one-year deal for Spiller, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). He previously signed a four-year contract with the Saints in March of 2015 but barely made it into Year 2 of that accord.
The Seahawks now have an additional weapon to help their banged-up backfield, which features an ailing Rawls and C.J. Prosise. This, of course, will continue a pipeline that’s resulted in the Seahawks adding former Bills ball-carriers. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson each were listed above Spiller on respective Buffalo depth charts in the past and enjoyed varying degrees of success in the Pacific Northwest, with Lynch obviously redefining his career in Seattle. Jackson joined the Seahawks after his prime concluded and didn’t see extensive time last season.
The 29-year-old Spiller, though, should have much more left in the tank than Jackson. He did not prove to be a fit with the Saints but did twice surpass 1,100 yards from scrimmage with the Bills. His top season came back in 2012, when the former Clemson back scampered for 1,700+ yards from scrimmage.
With the Saints, Spiller’s stock plummeted. Multiple injuries cost him three games last season, one he concluded on IR after gaining just 351 yards from scrimmage. He signed a four-year, $18MM deal but the Saints opted to carry dead money rather than pay out that deal in full.
This could certainly crowd the Seahawks’ backfield when it returns to full strength. Michael rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns last week, and Rawls proved quite effective when healthy last season. Seattle drafted Prosise as a potential passing-down specialist in the third round.
To make room, the Seahawks waived running back Terrence Magee, as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The second-year player received three carries and gained 12 yards in his only in-game work this season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.