Seahawks sign veteran defensive lineman Mario Edwards: 'He’s got versatility'
Mario Edwards Jr. #94 of the Tennessee Titans during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran defensive lineman Mario Edwards on Monday, continuing their offseason remodel on the defensive side of the ball.
A former second-round pick of the Raiders in 2015, Edwards has played for five teams previously. He spent last season with Tennessee where he played in 13 games and started seven.
Edwards also played for Oakland, New Orleans, Chicago and the New York Giants during his career, appearing in 99 games overall with 32 starts. Edwards reached agreement with Seattle last week but didn’t sign his deal until Monday.
"I’m really pumped about this because I thought I saw something in Mario a couple months ago when we started free agency, where he could help us," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said during rookie minicamp last weekend, before the deal was finalized. "He’s got versatility, he’s played end. He stood up. He’s had his hand on the ground. He’s been inside as a 3-technique. He’s played everywhere along the line that I really like."
Seattle also signed nose tackle Forrest Merrill, who played four games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 before spending last season on injured reserve.
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The signings add to an offseason where Seattle’s defensive line signed Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed in free agency, and added Mike Morris, Cameron Young and Derick Hall in the draft.