The Seahawks lost four-year guard starter Damien Lewis in free agency, seeing him sign a lucrative deal with the Panthers. Seattle has also not re-signed their primary 2023 right guard, Phil Haynes. Some guard work is on tap for Mike Macdonald‘s team.
A guard addition should be expected soon. The Seahawks are interested in Tomlinson, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds they have also discussed bringing in Cody Whitehair for a visit.
Ex-Rams O-lineman Tremayne Anchrum signed with the Seahawks last month, but Macdonald made it clear (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson) that the team was not done with its guard shopping. Tomlinson and Whitehair offer considerable experience, though neither is coming off an especially good season. The Bears benched Whitehair, and Tomlinson did not show his 49ers form often with the Jets. New York released its two-year guard starter before free agency.
One thing Tomlinson certainly offers is durability; over the past six seasons, the veteran blocker has missed all of one start. Tomlinson turned 32 this offseason and graded 58th and 53rd among guards, per Pro Football Focus, during his two Jets seasons. But he excelled with the 49ers, giving them guard stability for five seasons. Tomlinson earned a San Francisco extension, and his 49ers work commanded a three-year, $40M deal from the Jets in 2022.
Whitehair spent eight seasons with the Bears. While he became an expected cap casualty this offseason, the veteran has extensive experience at guard and center. Chicago’s attempt to move Whitehair back to center — to accommodate UFA addition Nate Davis — did not pan out, but Whitehair still saw considerable time at left guard (666 snaps) last season due to injuries. Overall, the 2016 second-round pick has made 118 starts; Tomlinson, a former Lions first-rounder, exited the 2023 season with 138.
