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Seattle Seahawks Sign New Quarterback

Originally posted on FanNation Seahawk Maven
By Corbin K. Smith | Last updated 10/13/23

OCT 13 SEATTLE SIGNS QB The Seattle Seahawks made an addition to the roster on Thursday, signing quarterback Holton Ahlers to the practice squad. ... in what marks a return engagement.

Ahlers, 23, went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft before signing with the Seahawks. He played in three preseason games, throwing for 159 yards, one touchdown and one interception before he was cut.

Ahlers, who played at Eastern Carolina where he threw for nearly 14,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in five seasons, comes aboard with safety Teez Tabor released from the p-squad to make room.

SEPTEMBER 2023 As they continue to shuffle their 53-man roster heading towards the regular season opener, the Seattle Seahawks have also kickstarted the process of assembling their 16-man practice squad.

As of noon ET on Wednesday, all 32 NFL teams could start signing players to their practice squads with the first wave of waiver claims completed following Tuesday's cut down deadline. Each team can have up to six players with no limit on the amount of accrued seasons they have in the league.

With news trickling in, we'll be keeping tabs on reported signings to Seattle's practice squad throughout the day. Come back regularly for updates as new information becomes available and confirmed.

Easop Winston

On the heels of a breakout preseason, according to The Athletic's Mike Dugar, Winston will be returning to the practice squad as an insurance policy in case Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Cody Thompson aren't ready to play in Week 1. The former Washington State standout caught six out of eight targets for 103 yards, averaged 17.2 yards per catch, and scored a touchdown in the preseason and offers return ability on special teams.

Levi Bell

One of Seattle's most exciting preseason stars coming out of Texas State, per a source, Bell will re-join the team on the practice squad with the potential to see snaps on Sundays as a versatile outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid with the ability to play fullback on offense in a pinch as well as special teams. The Texas native led the team with 10 quarterback pressures and produced a pressure rate north of 22 percent in three exhibition games.

Patrick O'Connell

An athletic linebacker with previous experience playing off ball as well as off the edge, O'Connell will be staying with the Seahawks to continue developing on their practice squad. The ex-Montana star finished second on the team with 18 tackles during the preseason and now will get to continue learning under Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks with a chance to play on special teams at some point this season.

Ty Okada

With fellow undrafted rookie Jonathan Sutherland waived with an injury designation and reverting to season-ending injured reserve, per ESPN's Brady Henderson, the Seahawks opted to bring back Okada as a practice squad member for depth purposes. The former Montana State standout produced six tackles and a tackle for loss in limited defensive action while also pitching in a special teams tackle during the preseason.

Matt Gotel

According to the Tacoma, Washington native himself, Gotel will be staying put with the Seahawks in his home region as a member of the practice squad. The former West Florida star performed at a high level in the preseason, earning Pro Football Focus' highest run defense grade among defensive tackles with at least 35 snaps and making a quartet of run stops, and could be a candidate to suit up on Sundays with limited depth at the nose tackle spot.

Tyler Mabry

Staying put in the Pacific Northwest for a fourth season, per Henderson, the Seahawks will retain Tyler Mabry on the practice squad as an experienced veteran injury replacement at tight end. The former Maryland standout caught his first NFL pass last season on a touchdown reception against the Jets and had four catches for 33 yards in three preseason games this month.

Holton Ahlers

After flashing dual-threat tools during the preseason behind Geno Smith and Drew Lock, according to Brian Bailey of WNCT-TV, Ahlers has re-signed with the Seahawks on their practice squad as the third quarterback. Previously starring as a five-year starter at East Carolina, he completed 16 out of 27 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown while adding 76 rushing yards in three exhibition games.

This article first appeared on FanNation Seahawk Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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