The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Lacy's one-year deal with Seattle is worth up to $5.5 million with $3 million fully guaranteed.
Lacy appeared in just five games for Green Bay last season as a broken ankle brought a premature end to his year. He rushed for 360 yards with a 5.1 yards per carry average in those five games.
"Those that are wondering, they should try to tackle this guy. He's a monster of a runner," head coach Pete Carroll said in an interview with Ian Furness on 950 KJR this afternoon.
"He gives us a chance to add to our group a real hammer. He's big. We want him to play big. We're counting on that. We want him to be physical and I think it's a great opportunity to get this guy. ... He's going to be a terrific addition because he's so physical in his style. It's going to look a lot like we've been in the past and I think we're fortunate to get him."
Lacy won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 and was named to the Pro Bowl. He rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns that season and followed it up with 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns in his second year. However, injuries and weight issues have limited his effectiveness and availability over the last two years.
Carroll didn't seem particularly concerned with Lacy's weight.
"He's big and he's going to be big," he said. "We're going to get him at exactly the right spot. We have dealt with that already and talked to him about it. ... We've got a really good process to get everything done. We've worked with the people from Alabama and we understand what's happened in the past and we've got a real plan for this or we wouldn't have done it. We're very clear about that and we'll be right on it."
Lacy is still recovering from surgery to repair his broken ankle. The damage required screws and plates and he's getting close to being able to run again.
"It's pretty good right now. I think I'm like two-and-a-half, three weeks away from being able to start running on the ground, but it feels good," Lacy said in an interview on Schefter's podcast "Know them from Adam" on Feb. 28.
If that timeline held, Lacy is just beginning to get back to running again and likely was unable to workout for Seattle before signing with the team.
Lacy was one of several free agent running backs visiting the Seahawks. Latavius Murray, Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles all had scheduled visits with Seattle. Charles is still expected to visit in the coming days despite the Lacy signing, according to multiple reports.
Lacy gives a veteran running back to add to Seattle's backfield mix. Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise were unable to stay healthy last season and Alex Collins did not show much until the latter stages of the season.
Photo Credit: GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 09: Eddie Lacy #27 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball in the first quarter against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on October 9, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)