RENTON — Duane Brown became the first of the Seattle Seahawks potential free agents after the 2018 season to have his future secured.
Brown and the Seahawks reached agreement on a multiyear contract extension on Saturday, locking up the protector of Russell Wilson’s blindside for the next few seasons. Brown tweeted that he looked forward to spending the rest of his career in Seattle, the final stop in a career where he’s been one of the top left tackles in the game.
Brown, who will turn 33 years old next month, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection. NFL Network reported the new deal is for three years.
Seattle has a lengthy list of key contributors that will be free agents after this upcoming season, including linebacker K.J. Wright, defensive end Frank Clark, wide receiver Tyler Lockett and holdout safety Earl Thomas. While Seattle seems to be inching closer to a future separation with Thomas based around his holdout decision, the team was proactive in trying to make sure Brown finishes his career in Seattle.
Brown arrived in Seattle midway through the 2017 season after a contentious holdout with Houston in search of a new contract. He held out for six games and returned to the Texans in Week 8 of last season. He lasted just one game with the Texans before being to Seattle as the Seahawks looked to solidify some of its offensive line issues.
Even though he was going into the final year of his contract, Brown said he would not holdout going into the 2018 season and Seattle implied from the moment the trade happened it hoped to have Brown past the 2018 season.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll spoke Friday about the difference now of having Brown as part of the offseason program and at the start of training camp, rather than last season when he was trying to get acclimated at midseason.
“This is a real leader. He’s a real man in that huddle and in the locker room, and we’re very, very fortunate to have him,” Carroll said. “Great worker, he’s really an astute ball player, got a great voice in perspective, he’s going to help other guys. Last year was right in the middle of everything. He couldn’t have the effect but you could see the potential, and he’s just taken off in the offseason and done a great job and he’s a great factor for us right now. I love to have him on my team.”
