The Seattle Seahawks swiftly inked a number of players to future contracts, including talented outside linebacker Levi Bell and receiver Easop Winston Jr., because the practice squad contracts were set to expire at the end of the season.
The Seattle Seahawks signed seven members of their practice squad to future/reserve contracts on Monday, after their season ended without a postseason berth despite their victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The Seahawks re-signed defensive tackle Matt Gotel, tight end Tyler Mabry, safety Jonathan Sutherland, running back Bryant Koback, receiver Easop Winston Jr., receiver Cody White and outside linebacker Levi Bell because their contracts with the practice squad expired at the end of the season.
Leading the group, Bell signed as a free agency in late July and impressed during training camp and the preseason. Before being waived in the final roster cuts, the former Texas State standout played in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers in the spring. After arriving in Seattle, he recorded nine tackles, a sack, and three quarterback hits in preseason action.
Bell did not play in any regular season games and spent the whole 2023 season on the practice squad. However, if he has a good offseason, he may be in the running for a roster spot in training camp next August as a reserve.
The man with the oldest contract among the group, Mabry, signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agency out of Maryland and has played in eight games with one touchdown reception during the course of the previous four seasons. With veterans Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson set to become unrestricted free agents in March, the 27-year-old tight end might have his best shot to secure a position on the roster next season.
After collecting six catches for 103 yards and a score in the preseason, Winston, a receiver, was placed on Seattle’s practice squad for the majority of the season. He dressed and participated in a few special teams snaps during a victory over Arizona at Lumen Field in Week 7 despite DK Metcalf’s injury. Regarding White,
In August, Tacoma native Gotel had a great preseason with the Seahawks in the defensive trenches, recording seven tackles and two tackles for loss. However, his play was insufficient to earn a spot on the roster, thus he was called up and then cut from the practice squad. He returned on January 1 and didn’t wear a snap for Sunday’s game.
With Bryan Mone’s future uncertain following his season-long absence due to a ruptured ACL, and Leonard Williams and Mario Edwards both expected to reach free agency, Gotel might have a real chance to contend for a spot on the team at nose tackle in the spring.
As an undrafted rookie out of Penn State, Sutherland appeared ready to secure a position on the team out of training camp, but a knee injury forced his release at the final roster cuts. In the end, he signed back with the practice squad, but even when Jamal Adams was placed on injured reserve in December, he didn’t play in any games during the regular season.
