Seahawks sign Tom Johnson to help defensive line
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson most recently played with the Minnesota Vikings. What should 12s expect from Johnson in 2018?
The Seahawks have lost significant talent this offseason along their defensive line. This is where Tom Johnson comes in. Johnson is not young; He is currently 33 years old. He also is not the most talented of players. But he is experienced and he knows his role.
Johnson is more in the mold of current and much younger Seahawk Jarran Reed. Johnson is not going to get eight sacks in 2018, but he does have 21 sacks over the last seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He had two sacks in 2016, or one more than Sheldon Richardson had. So for a big defensive tackle, he can do a little more than stuff the run.
I am not saying that Johnson is as good as Richardson; He isn’t. But Johnson did start 15 games with a very good Vikings defense in 2017, and that says a lot.
Contract details
According to Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times, Johnson will get a one-year and $2.7 million deal. This includes a base salary of $2.1 million, but includes a bonus of $200,000 if Johnson gets three sacks. And if Johnson gets five sacks he will earn an extra $350,000.
Reaction
Unlike a few other recent Seahawks signings, reaction on Twitter as mostly been positive to the Johnson signing. Hopefully this is a good sign.
Tom Johnson was an absolute steal during his tenure with the #Vikings. Played in 62 of 64 games, 25 starts and 16 sacks while being an impact rotational DT. Made a grand total of $7.845 million over four years.
— Eric Thompson (@eric_j_thompson) March 23, 2018
(That a Vikings writer is singing the praises of a leaving player speaks volume about that player.)
If I was going to introduce you to my friend, Tom Johnson, what would you guess he did for a living?
— James "Boy Howdy" Osborn @ BH Creative (@BoyHowdyPNW) March 23, 2018
Former #Vikings DT Tom Johnson has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the #Seahawks
— The Viking Age (@TheVikingAge) March 23, 2018
Johnson spent his last four #NFL seasons in Minnesota https://t.co/CmJcWVFz5Z
(Our FanSided brethren at The Viking Age have a good post on Johnson leaving.)
Grade: B
The Seahawks could have done worse. Johnson is experienced and is a quality player. Plus, he is getting paid like a backup whether he actually becomes one or not. He might just be a starter. And that one-year deal in not a huge commitment.
Related Story: Seahawks re-sign Mike Davis. Thank goodness.
This is probably Seattle’s best free agent signing from another team so far this offseason.