Seahawks Are Signing Former Lions First-Round Pick

The Seattle Seahawks have managed to remain competitive for two years after trading away franchise quarterback Russell Wilson, but after the success they had with him, mere competitiveness simply isn’t enough for them.

They’re looking to improve on the nine wins they had in each of the last two seasons, and while they haven’t made any big splashes this offseason, they may have the squad to get it done.

On Friday, Tom Pelissero reported that the Seahawks are signing veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to a one-year contract.

A first-round pick by Detroit in 2015, Laken Tomlinson has 138 career starts, making the Pro Bowl in 2021 with San Francisco. Now, after two seasons with the #Jets, he’s back in the NFC West as Seattle beefs up its OL. https://t.co/dEzBhsdpoo

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 12, 2024

Tomlinson broke into the NFL as the No. 28 pick by the Detroit Lions in 2015, and after two seasons with them, he moved on to the San Francisco 49ers for the 2017 campaign.

At the time, the 49ers were at the ground level, but they were starting to build a winner, and Tomlinson helped protect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as he took the team back to its accustomed place near the top of the league.

The Niners went to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, and two years later, Tomlinson was voted into the Pro Bowl.

He played the last two seasons with the New York Jets.

Seattle’s offensive line was lacking in 2023, and the hope is that Tomlinson, who is 32 years of age, will help shore up that deficiency.

Quarterback Geno Smith has surprised many by making the Pro Bowl in both of the last two seasons for Seattle, and if Tomlinson does his job well, perhaps Smith will get the nod once again this fall.

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