Seahawks Bolster Depth, Sign Ex-Ravens OL Josh Jones
Baltimore Ravens tackle Josh Jones steps out of his stance during a drill at training camp. Credit: Josh Jones/Instagram
Making their first move to address the offensive line this offseason, the Seattle Seahawks will be bringing a versatile chess piece on board in former Baltimore Ravens tackle/guard Josh Jones.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Seahawks agreed to terms with the 27-year old Jones on a one-year contract worth up to $4.75 million, adding him to the mix as a swing tackle replacement for George Fant. Guaranteed money for the deal has yet to be disclosed.
Selected by the Cardinals as a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft coming out of Houston, Jones barely played as a rookie before stepping into the starting lineup at right tackle and right guard in 2021. During his first extended action, he allowed four sacks and 29 pressures in pass protection while committing a whopping 12 penalties. The following year, with injuries striking Arizona’s front line, he slid to left tackle and surrendered four sacks and 27 pressures on 417 pass blocking snaps, though Pro Football Focus gave him a favorable 75.8 overall grade.
Prior to the start of the 2023 season, after the Cardinals drafted Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones became expendable as a reserve and the team dealt him to the Texans for a seventh-round pick. Appearing in 13 games with three starts at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle, he surrendered nine pressures and a sack in limited action before becoming an unrestricted free agent and signing a one-year contract with Baltimore last offseason.
Playing behind starters Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, Jones saw the field for just 64 combined offensive snaps at both tackle spots. Most of that action came late in games when the Ravens were running out the clock, as he only had 12 pass blocking reps with no pressures allowed.
The addition of Jones likely means Seattle won’t bring back former sixth-round pick Stone Forsythe, who will be an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday after starting 14 games in his first four seasons, primarily playing right tackle as an injury replacement. The team currently has Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas penned in as starters at the tackle spots along with 2024 sixth-round pick Mike Jerrell on the roster.
With free agency just getting underway, the Seahawks have plenty of work left to do on the offensive line, but the good news is that several quality guards still unsigned. Among the quality veterans who have yet to agree to terms with a new team, Will Fries of the Colts, Tevin Jenkins of the Bears, and Mekhi Becton of the Eagles all available on the market. Former Packers center Josh Myers could also be a target of interest.
