Seattle Seahawks sign Mike Iupati: Grade, reaction and more

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Mike Iupati #76 of the Arizona Cardinals on the bench during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

After a long-tenured guard left in free agency, the Seahawks replaced him with an NFC West journeyman who’s been around the block a few times.

Guard J.R. Sweezy was a mainstay on the Seattle Seahawks offensive line anchored a mini-dynasty in the mid-2010s. He left for the Buccaneers in free agency in the spring of 2016, and after an injury-riddled tenure in Tampa Bay, re-signed with Seattle on a one-year deal in 2018. Well now, he’s gone again, having signed a two-year contract with the division rival Cardinals.

The Seahawks then completed the ultimate offensive line swap, immediately signing Arizona guard Mike Iupati away from the Cardinals on a presumably cheap, one-year deal. Iupati will be reuniting with offensive line coach Mike Solari, who coached the four-time Pro Bowler for five years with the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-2014.

Interestingly enough, this is Iupati’s third team — all from the NFC West. He’s now played for the 49ers, Cardinals and Seahawks.

Contract Details

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported the one-year deal between the Seahawks and Iupati. The financial terms of the deal have yet to be announced.

National Reaction

Here’s why I think the #Seahawks signed Mike Iupati:

– Familiarity with OL coach Mike Solari: Played with him for 5 years in SF
– Great run blocker (when healthy) in a run-first scheme
– Veteran (probably) cheap contract based on injury history

— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) March 14, 2019

Looks like the #Seahawks guards next year will be D.J. Fluker and Mike Iupati. A lot of size. And a lot of injury concerns.

— 12th Man Rising (@12thMan_Rising) March 14, 2019

I thought the Mike Iupati deal might spell the end of G D.J. Fluker in Seattle but no. Source says the #Seahawks are finalizing a two-year deal for Fluker. So their guards this year will be a couple of former first-round picks in Iupati and Fluker.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 14, 2019

Very happy to see D.J. Fluker back with the #Seahawks. Brought a nasty mentality.

Him paired with Mike Iupati is going to make the Chris Carson + Rashaad Penny combo really fun to watch next year! https://t.co/hHXE7IyUpJ

— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) March 14, 2019

Couple things of note on Mike Iupati, who’s signing a one-year deal with the Seahawks per @MikeGarafolo: He’s exclusively played left guard. Seattle has an opening there after losing J.R. Sweezy. Iupati’s tenure in SF (2010-14) coincided with that of Mike Solari, his new OL coach

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 14, 2019

If Iupati can stay healthy – and that’s a huge if – this could be a home run of a deal for the Seahawks. Iupati is already very familiar with the situation and scheme in Seattle, as he played under Solari on a dominant 49ers offensive line in the early 2010s.

The specific financial details of the contract are yet to be released, but it’ll likely be a cheap veteran deal for a late-career guy just looking for the best situation. Iupati is a better run blocker than pass blocker, and the Seahawks are obviously a run-heavy team. Last season, Seattle led the NFL in rushing attempts and rushing yards, both by a wide margin.

Next: NFL free agency tracker

Even if Iupati doesn’t stay healthy, it likely won’t have cost Seattle much to get him. And if he does, the upside is there to bring last year’s dominant offensive line to even greater heights.

This article was originally published by Fansided.com. Read the original article here.