Seahawks reach deals with Julian Love, Devin Bush

RENTON, Wash. – (AP) – The Seattle Seahawks continued to overhaul their defense on Friday by signing versatile safetyman Julian Love to a two-year contract.

Love’s agreement is worth up to $12 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal, and came after Seattle announced it had signed former first-round linebacker Devin Bush to a one-year deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as the team had not disclosed terms of Love’s signing.

The addition of Love continues Seattle’s spending in the safety position, having already invested heavily in Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs and the likelihood of a future deal for Ryan Neal. He can also be a shield should Adams not fully recover early in the season after suffering a quadriceps tendon rupture in Week 1 of last season.

Love, who turns 25 on Sunday, started in 16 games for the New York Giants last season and posted career highs in tackles and interceptions. Love played a variety of defensive positions for the Giants before breaking out and finding success in that role last season.

Bush’s signing could end up filling a significant gap for Seattle. The 24-year-old was the No. 10 pick overall in the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers draft and had a stellar rookie season, during which he had a career-high 109 tackles and finished third in defensive rookie of the year voting. But Bush suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in the 2020 season and has struggled to regain the form of his rookie season.

Last season, Bush appeared in 17 games and started 14. He had 81 tackles and played 62% of defensive snaps for the Steelers.

He’s an immediate candidate for a starting role at Seattle. The Seahawks will start next season without linebacker Jordyn Brooks after he tore his cruciate ligament late last season. Fellow starter Cody Barton signed with Washington at the start of free agency this week.

Even with Bush signing, Seattle will likely need additional linebacker options.

“It’s definitely a necessity,” Seattle general manager John Schneider said during his radio show on KIRO-AM Thursday. “I would lie to you if (I said) it wasn’t.” ___

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.