The Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Drake Thomas have agreed to terms on a two-year, $8 million deal that could be worth up to $9 million, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday afternoon.
Thomas, who had a breakout season as a first-year starter, was set to become a restricted free agent.
A veteran free agent who makes ‘a lot of sense’ for Seahawks
After playing just 41 defensive snaps over his first two seasons with the Seahawks, Thomas took over Tyrice Knight’s starting role early in the 2025 season and flourished as a hard-hitting force in the middle of Seattle’s top-ranked scoring defense.
Thomas finished with 96 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups in 17 regular-season games, along with a key red-zone interception in the Seahawks’ Week 18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He was the only player in the NFL this past season with at least three sacks, 10 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups, according to Stathead.
Thomas, 26, initially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State. After he was waived by Las Vegas during 2023 roster cutdowns, the Seahawks swooped in and claimed the 5-foot-11, 228-pound linebacker off waivers.
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