Seahawks Reach Deal with Top-Pick Russell Okung
Russell Okung must have not liked the fact that he was the only remaining first-round pick to not have signed with his team. Just hours after C.J. Spiller signed with the Bills, which made Okung the only first-rounder to have not signed, the left tackle agreed to a deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Okung and the Seahawks agreed to a six-year deal worth $48.5 million, which includes over $29 million guaranteed. Okung’s total salary can even reach a total of $58 million if incentives are met.
The sixth overall pick out of Oklahoma State missed the first six days of training camp before becoming the only first-rounder to have not signed his deal yet. Pete Carroll, the new Seahawks coach can now finally see how his full squad looks on the field.
The 6-foot-5, 310 pounder is being counted on to replace retired left tackle Walter Jones for the Hawks. The All-Pro Jones is tough to replace, but Okung is capable.
Last year, Okung was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the year and he finished his career with the Oklahoma State Cowboys with 47 straight starts.
Carroll stated right from the moment Okung was drafted that he was planning to make him the starting left tackle.
Okung is someone who can climb the learning curve of a rookie quickly and it will not take long for him to adjust to the NFL. Yes he has the shoes of a future Hall-of-Famer to fill, but he will make a big impact. He, along with all his colleagues on the offensive line, will need to awaken the offence from the slumber that they have been in in recent years.
Okung did miss several days of his first training camp, which hurts any rookie who misses a part of camp, so he still has some catching up to do. At least the business side is done and the football part begins.
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