Gabe Jackson secures new 3-year, $ 22.575 million deal after trade with Seattle Seahawks, sources say

SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks gave veteran guard Gabe Jackson a new three-year, $ 22.575 million contract after acquiring him in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this month, have sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Seattle essentially tore up the remaining two years of Jackson’s contract with the Raiders, which the Seahawks inherited when they acquired him for a fifth-round pick on March 17. the next two seasons before entering free agency in 2023.

Now Jackson is receiving $ 10.075 million this year – a signing bonus of $ 9 million and $ 1.075 million in base salary – as well as $ 6 million in 2022 and $ 6.5 million in 2023. He is about to enter free agency in 2024.

Jackson’s new deal significantly reduces what would have been a salary cap of $ 9.6 million for 2021, which the Seahawks had to do given their cap constraints. OverTheCap.com has the team over $ 1 million above the spending limit, although this accounting does not reflect the savings from Jackson’s new contract or the costs of some of their other signings including details. have not yet been communicated.

Jackson said during a video conference with reporters in the Seattle area on Tuesday, in his first public comments since the exchange, that his contract had been extended but provided no details. Jackson, 29, who spent his first seven seasons with the Raiders, compared his new start in Seattle to feeling like he was drafted.

“I feel like I’m a rookie again,” he said. “You can go somewhere, meet new people and just start over.”

As for his exit from the Raiders, Jackson said a contract dispute was part of it, but declined to go into details.

The Seahawks trade for Jackson had added significance in light of quarterback Russell Wilson’s public lobbying for the team to improve their pass protection. Jackson ranks 18th in ESPN’s pass block win rate as a goaltender over the past two seasons. Pro Football Focus didn’t give him a single sack last season.

“He was excited,” Jackson said when asked about a conversation he has had with Wilson since the exchange. “I don’t know if he was as excited as I am, but we are delighted to be working together.”

Jackson is the only addition the Seahawks have made this offseason to their offensive line, which sacked four starters last season with left tackle Duane Brown, center Ethan Pocic, right guard Damien Lewis and right tackle Brandon Shell. However, the Seahawks could continue to look for someone to compete for the starting center post after bringing Pocic back on a one-year contract with a guaranteed value of $ 3 million. It’s also unclear which guard post Jackson will play. He played on the left side his first two seasons, then moved to right guard in 2016 and has been there ever since.

He said he and the team had not discussed in depth the position he will play but that he will do whatever the team wants.

“I know it’s a great attacking group [linemen]”, did he declare.” I watched them play and I’m just excited to play with them because I know we can be great. “

Jackson was asked if Wilson’s comments about his pass protection put Seattle’s offensive line under the microscope.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “As an offensive lineman or a player in general, I feel like you’re always under the microscope. But the best thing you can do is just be yourself and work hard, take coaches, and do your best. And if you do everything okay, you train well, you train well and all that is going to pay off on Sunday. Just do the little things. “