Share
Sports

AP Source: Seahawks bolster pass rush adding Ezekiel Ansah

Share

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks are addressing one of their biggest offseason needs as veteran defensive end Ezekiel Ansah has agreed to a one-year deal with the team, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced by the team. NFL Network first reported the agreement.

Ansah will join the Seahawks after six seasons with Detroit and may not be the final move made by Seattle in an attempt to bolster its pass rush with sacks leader Frank Clark traded to Kansas City before the draft last month.

Two years ago, Ansah had 12 sacks and in 2015 had 14 ½ when he was voted to the Pro Bowl for the only time in his career. But his health will be a major concern with Ansah’s arrival in Seattle after he played in just seven games last season for Detroit due to shoulder problems that lingered the entire season.

Seattle waited until after Tuesday’s deadline when free agent signings would count against compensatory picks in next year’s draft before reaching an agreement with Ansah. Seattle coach Pete Carroll made it clear during the NFL draft there were additional moves to come to help the pass rush.

Trending:
KJP Panics, Hangs Up in Middle of Interview When Reporter Shows He Isn't a Democratic Party Propagandist

“There is work that we’re engaged in (during) this stage of filling up the roster and we’re very involved in what is coming up next,” Carroll said on April 27. “We’re not done, we have work to do. We’re excited about what’s coming up and you guys will see in time.”

Ansah played last season on the franchise tag with the Lions and earned $17.1 million for a season that ended on injured reserve.

Seattle’s decision to trade Clark before the draft ended up landing the Seahawks a bounty of needed picks in the draft and freed up more than $17 million in salary cap space, but also saw 13 sacks leave town from the one proven edge pass rusher on their roster. Jarran Reed had 10 ½ sacks from his defensive tackle position last season, but no other Seattle defensive lineman had more than three sacks.

If he is healthy, Ansah will be an immediate boost. Seattle drafted L.J. Collier in the first round to play defensive end, but he was the only one of Seattle’s 11 draft picks used to address the pass rush. With the addition of Ansah and Collier, the Seahawks pass rush options now include Quinton Jefferson, Brandon Jackson and Jacob Martin.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
,
Share
The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter
The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.
Location
New York City




Conversation