Seahawks Sign Dre’Mont Jones to Record-Breaking Three-Year Deal
On Monday, the Seattle Seahawks announced the signing of free agent defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones to a three-year deal worth a reported $51.53 million.[0] The deal comes with an $18 million signing bonus and a total of $35.02 million in total earnings over the first two years. This is the largest deal ever received by a free agent joining the Seahawks under the leadership of coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, according to ESPN.[0]
Jones, who was originally selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Ohio State, was ranked 19th among The Athletic’s top 150 free agents.[1] Javon Hargrave, who signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the 49ers on Monday, was the highest defensive tackle on the list, with He being the second.[2]
The 26-year-old has been one of the league’s more productive inside defensive linemen over the past three seasons.[3] He’s played four years for Denver at tackle and end in the Broncos’ 3-4 defense, a scheme similar in style to the one the Seahawks installed last season for the first time.[3]
Jones had an outstanding performance in the most recent NFL season.[4] Over 13 games and 13 starts, he recorded 47 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and 6.5 sacks.[5] Pro Football Focus wrote that the deal was “a massive upgrade” for the young lineman’s rookie contract.[6] “Players with his skill set don’t hit free agency too often, so teams looking for a 3-4 defensive end will be very interested in bringing him aboard this March.”[7]
The Seahawks were able to sign Jones after releasing former Broncos defensive lineman Shelby Harris, which saved $8.9 million against this year’s salary cap. They also received additional space from the Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson's three-year, $75 million deal.
Former NFL veteran defensive back Matt Bowen, now an ESPN analyst, wrote that Jones was No. 10 on his list of the top 100 NFL free agents available this spring.[8] The athletic pass rusher had 45 quarterback pressures last season and a pass rush win rate of 14.6 percent. Jones' pass rush win rate when lined up inside (15.9%) ranked sixth among all defenders in 2022.[9]
0. “DT shuffle: Dre'Mont Jones to Seahawks, Zach Allen to Broncos” The Hazard Herald, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.hazard-herald.com/sports/national/dt-shuffle-dremont-jones-to-seahawks-zach-allen-to-broncos/article_5e293605-b35d-5022-a3d2-c657f2e45326.html
1. “Reports: Seahawks make splash in free agency with DT Dre’Mont Jones” Seattle Sports, 14 Mar. 2023, https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1746054/report-seahawks-make-splash-in-free-agency-with-dt-dremont-jones/
2. “Why the Seahawks paid Dre’Mont Jones big money, and how he fits in their defense” The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2023, https://theathletic.com/4306597/2023/03/13/seahawks-dremont-jones-contract-free-agency/
3. “Seahawks begin rebuild of defensive front, have a 3-year deal with Denver’s Dre’Mont Jones” AOL, 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.aol.com/seahawks-begin-rebuild-defensive-front-021911562.html
4. “Seahawks, ex-Broncos' Dre'Mont Jones agree to contract” ClutchPoints, 14 Mar. 2023, https://clutchpoints.com/seahawks-news-seattle-agrees-to-48-million-contract-with-ex-broncos-dremont-jones
5. “Ex-Broncos DL Dre'Mont Jones expected to sign with Seahawks” Broncos Wire, 14 Mar. 2023, https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/13/denver-broncos-news-dremont-jones-seattle-seahawks-free-agency-contract/
6. “Seahawks Expected To Sign DT Dre'Mont Jones” profootballrumors.com, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/03/seahawks-expected-to-sign-dt-dremont-jones
7. “Seahawks reportedly plan to add Dre'Mont Jones to beef up defensive line” The Spokesman Review, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/mar/13/seahawks-reportedly-plan-to-add-dremont-jones-to-b
8. “Dre’Mont Jones: Highlights for new Seahawks free agent DT pickup” Seahawks Wire, 14 Mar. 2023, https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/13/seahawks-dl-dre-mont-jones-film-room
9. “Free agent Dre'Mont Jones says he's signing with Seahawks” ABC News, 14 Mar. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/free-agent-dremont-jones-signing-seahawks/story?id=97840826
