Seahawks sign former 49ers pass-rusher to bolster defensive line

The Seattle Seahawks have poached a pass-rusher from within the division by signing Kerry Hyder away from the San Francisco 49ers in his free agency.

Kerry Hyder leaves the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks in his NFL free agency. He is coming off a tremendous personal season in what was otherwise a lost year for the 49ers organization as a whole.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hyder has signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks worth up to $17.5 million. Hyder spent the 2020 NFL season with the 49ers where he put together his best professional season since going undrafted out of Texas Tech. Hyder set career-highs in tackles (49), games started (14) and sacks (8.5) in San Francisco uniform. He makes Seattle better.

Kerry Hyder must prove to the Seattle Seahawks he is not a one-year wonder

Hyder is entering his age-30 season out of Texas Tech. The Seahawks are now the fifth NFL franchise he has been part of he spent 2014 on the New York Jets’ practice squad, the 2015-18 seasons with the Detroit Lions, the 2019 season with the Dallas Cowboys and last year with the Seahawks. His other big season of note came with the 2016 Lions when he registered eight sacks.

Clearly, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll sees the value in adding a player of Hyder’s caliber to his pass rush. He is all about his defense, no matter how much quarterback Russell Wilson wants to throw the ball in his early 30s. For now, this move makes the Seahawks better, while it simultaneously weakens a rival. Seattle is betting on Hyder not being a 2020 one-year wonder.

By adding Hyder in free agency, maybe Seattle can repeat as NFC West champions in 2021?