Brady Henderson ESPN2:11 PM ET2 Minute Read
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed a two-year, $12 million deal with Julian Love, former safetyman for the New York Giants, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Love, who started 16 games and 32 in four seasons with the Giants last year, reinforces a position of uncertainty for the Seahawks. While their biggest defense needs have centered on their front seven, their secondary also has a big question mark as strong safety Jamal Adams comes in from surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon.
Adams’ injury came in Week 1 of last season but coach Pete Carroll said in January his recovery would continue into the summer, raising questions about whether he will be ready by the opener.
Ryan Neal took over for Adams last season and was one of Seattle’s best defensemen. The Seahawks gave Neal the lowly offer as a $2.627 million restricted free agent who could seek offers from other teams. Free safety Quandre Diggs, who made his second straight Pro Bowl in 2022, is under contract for two more seasons, while Adams is under contract until 2025.
Love, 24, was a team captain for the Giants and a full-time starting safety for the first time in his career last season. He finished the team with 124 tackles as the team leader and connected with two interceptions for the team lead. Additionally, he has been a mainstay on special teams, including serving as a punt protector.
The Notre Dame product went back and forth between cornerback and safety for the first three years of his pro career. He never seemed to find a permanent home despite starting 16 games over those three seasons.
But after the Giants cut Logan Ryan last offseason, when the new regime arrived, it opened the door for love to play a bigger role. He was a mainstay in Wink Martindale’s defense and even became the team’s defensive end after safety Xavier McKinney broke his hand in an off-road accident during bye week.
The Giants, who selected Love as a cornerback in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft from Notre Dame, held contract talks with him during bye week.
He has 291 tackles and 5 interceptions in four NFL seasons.
Also on Friday, the Seahawks addressed one of their biggest needs by signing former Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush. His contract is for one season, a source told Schefter. 24-year-old Bush was the 10th overall winner in 2019. He gives Seattle an option to replace Cody Barton, who has signed a free hand with the Washington Commanders.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan contributed to this report.