The Seattle Seahawks have signed linebacker Leroy Hill to a multi-year contract less than a week after drafting linebacker Aaron Curry and removing the franchise tag from Hill, according to a report by Greg Johns of seattlepi.com:(Hill's) signing allows the Seahawks to retain a strong linebacking trio that also includes Pro Bowl veteran Lofa Tatupu and Curry, the fourth player selected in Saturday's first round of the NFL draft.
The Seahawks admittedly gambled in taking the franchise tag and its guaranteed $8.3 million tender offer away from Hill after adding Curry to the roster, but hoped the move would speed up a negotiating process that had bogged down.
The Seahawks probably hadn't expected Curry to be sitting there at No. 4 when they picked on Saturday, but when the Chiefs surprised and took LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson at No. 3, Seattle gobbled up the Wake Forest linebacker, figuring he would add to a position of strength at worst and, at best, help their bargaining position with Hill.
As a result of this news, both goals appear to have been met.
Removing the franchise tag from Hill gave the Seahawks salary-cap breathing room, which they've already used to sign cornerback Ken Lucas ($2.3 million) and fullback Justin Griffith ($700,000).
Contract terms weren't released on Hill's deal, but Johns' report says Hill earlier rejected a six-year, $36 million offer from the team.
