Seahawks reach four-year deal with Leon Washington

Published on March 1, 2011 by Tacoma News Tribune (Feed)     

Running back Leon Washington has reached an agreement in principle to re-sign with the Seahawks.

His agent, Alvin Keels, announced it will be a four-year deal on his Twitter account. No terms were disclosed, however, it’s believed the deal is structured to pay $12.5 million over the four-year term with an additional $3.5 million that could be earned with incentives based on Washington’s performance as a running back.

Washington, 28, was acquired from the New York Jets last year in a draft-day trade. The Seahawks agreed to slide down from the fifth round to the seventh round to acquire Washington, a former Pro Bowl player who was coming off a compound fracture of his leg.

Washington was one of the Seahawks’ most successful additions. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the third game against San Diego. No Seahawk had ever returned two kickoffs for touchdowns for Seattle before that. Washington subsequently returned another kickoff for a touchdown and nearly scored on a punt return against Carolina.

Washington’s agreement comes less than a week before the NFL could have a work stoppage. That would leave the status of Washington — and numerous other free agents — up in the air.

The agreement brings Washington back to Seattle, presumably with the hope that he will have more of a role as a running back in addition to his kick-returning talents.

Tags: 5 Million, Additions, Alvin Keels, Compound Fracture, free agents, Incentives, Kickoff, Kickoffs, Leon Washington, New York Jets, Nfl, Principle, pro bowl, Punt Return, Seahawk, Seattle Washington, Talents, Third Game, Touchdown, Work Stoppage