Seahawks extend LB Darrell Taylor

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports the Seahawks are believed to have worked out an extension with Taylor. Rather than tendering the former second-rounder, therefore, a more permanent agreement appears to be in place for a player once in danger of being traded.

Seattle lost Uchenna Nwosu early in the 2023 campaign to a pectoral injury. That left the team without a starting edge rusher, and Taylor saw a 44% defensive snap share for the second straight season. Prior to the former’s injury, however, the latter was on the trade block. The Seahawks were prepared to deal Taylor ahead of the trade deadline, but they ultimately elected to retain him.

Taylor has struggled against the run during his career, but he has maintained a notable role due to his pass-rush production. The 26-year-old posted 6.5 sacks in 2021, then upped that total to 9.5 the following season. Logging five starts in 2023, Taylor produced 5.5 sacks while adding 17 pressures and eight QB hits. While those figures will likely be insufficient to land him a full-time starting opportunity, they have resulted in a second Seattle contract.

The Seahawks could have placed the right of first refusal tag on Taylor, valued at $2.99M. An unmatched offer sheet would not have yielded any compensation in that case, however. The second-round tender would have guaranteed a draft pick in that round in the event Taylor departed, but it would have come at a cost of $4.89M. Instead of working with either of those one-year tenders, the Tennessee alum will remain in place on a re-up.

Seattle still has Nwosu on the books for three more seasons. Boye Mafe and Derick Hall are also on their respective rookie deals, so this Taylor agreement will ensure stability for the Seahawks along the edge. The team posted a top-10 finish in sacks last season, and the chances of repeating that success will be high with continuity at the OLB spot.