By PFW staff
March 26, 2008

Marcus Trufant

Hot on the heels of the Seahawks’ surprising new contract agreement with defensive leader Lofa Tatupu late last week, the team will officially announce later today that it has also reached a new six-year, $50.2 million deal with Pro Bowl CB Marcus Trufant, the team’s designated “franchise” player. Trufant, a local product who grew up in Tacoma, will reportedly receive $20 million in guaranteed money, with $28 million expected to come his way in the first three years of the deal.

According to team president Tim Ruskell, a “philosophical impasse” had previously stood in the way of reaching a new agreement with Trufant, who, despite his considerable improvement this past season, was considered to be just a notch below elite-CB status in the eyes of team higher-ups. But with the Tatupu deal likely setting the table for more amiable talks, both parties seemed primed for a breakthrough.  

The PFW spin

Ruskell has to feel really good about the state of his undersized but productive defense after locking up two huge keys to the unit — Tatupu and Trufant — in the past week. Trufant, who greatly improved this season under the direction of new secondary coach and head coach-in-waiting Jim Mora, never really wanted to leave. And after seeing how willing Tatupu was to settle for a bit less than he might have received had he wanted to press the issue, there’s strong reason to believe the sixth-year cornerback and former first-round draft pick became more anxious to reach a meeting of the minds.

With Trufant now signed, the Seahawks should have some welcome salary-cap relief that will allow them to make some more moves, both in terms of possibly re-upping with more players currently on the roster (LB Leroy Hill?) and adding players from the outside.

The next task on Ruskell’s to-do list could be the signing of a placekicker to replace the departed Josh Brown. Olindo Mare, who was recently released by New Orleans, is a possibility along those lines. Mare was scheduled for a visit on what could turn out to be a very busy Wednesday for the Seahawks.