The Jacksonville Jaguars got a head start on the signing period for free agents by agreeing to a four-year deal Saturday with former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant.
Bryant, whose six seasons with the Seahawks included the four years when Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was their defensive coordinator, was released last Saturday by the Super Bowl champions. Therefore, he was eligible to be signed before the NFL's free agency period begins Tuesday.
Bryant, 29, started 47 of 48 regular-season games for the Seahawks the past three years and is expected to compete with Tyson Alualu for the end position primarily concerned with stopping the run. Alualu has started every game since being Jacksonville's first-round draft pick in 2010, but the Jaguars ranked 29th among 32 teams against the run last season.
Although Bryant was the captain of the Seahawks' defense last season, his release was expected because of salary cap reasons. He had three years remaining on his contract, and Seattle was due to pay him $8.5 million in 2014.
He has only 3 1/2 sacks for his career.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
