8:16pm: Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports that the two-year pact has been agreed upon (Twitter link). The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds some more context (via Twitter), reporting that the deal is worth close to $14MM with incentives. Ford will receive $4.4MM in 2021, which is just shy of the first-round RFA tender amount. The 25-year-old will have a chance at bigger money in 2022, and he’ll hit unrestricted free agency in 2023.
6:42pm: The Seahawks lost one of their top unrestricted free agents earlier today when they saw Shaquill Griffin sign with the Jaguars, but they are trying to keep a key RFA in the fold. Per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Seattle is working on a two-year deal for defensive tackle Poona Ford.
A former college free agent out of Texas, Ford started all 16 games for the ‘Hawks last year, recording 40 tackles and a pair of sacks. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 15th-best interior defender, with PFF scoring him especially highly in run defense (he finished with the exact same overall score as Giants DL Leonard Williams).
Instead of giving Ford an RFA tender, the Seahawks are trying to buy out his first year of UFA eligibility and keep him around through 2022. He has served as a quality anchor for the club’s defensive front, so it makes sense that Seattle would want to continue the relationship for another couple of years.
The deadline to tender Ford is tomorrow if the two sides cannot come to terms on a multi-year pact.
Beast!! Good deal for both sides
Best name I’ve seen today. Even better than Chris Manhertz.
He is an awesome player and Seahawk. No brainer getting him under contract.