The Seattle Seahawks made their second free agent acquisition of the offseason on Friday, but saw their top free agent sign priority sign elsewhere.
Dickson signed a deal with Seattle reportedly worth up to $14 million for over the next three seasons. But while Dickson was signing with the Seahawks, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was signing a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Seattle also made official the signing of linebacker Barkevious Mingo.
Richardson was Seattle's most accomplished free agent to hit the market. The Seahawks traded wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick to the New York Jets to acquire Richardson last September following the ATV accident that sidelined 2017 second-round pick Malik McDowell for the entire season.
Now they no longer have Kearse, Richardson or the second-round pick they parted with last summer.
Richardson's deal in Minnesota is for one-year worth $8 million in base value with incentives to bring the total deal up to a possible $11 million, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. If Seattle had used the franchise tag on Richardson, it would have cost approximately $14 million. His actual contract comes in well under the franchise value.
Richardson told reporters in Minnesota that the Vikings offered him more than the Seahawks did. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports said Seattle's offer was $6.5 million per year.
Dickson has played eight seasons in the NFL with four years in Baltimore and four in Carolina. Dickson is more of a blocking tight end than a pass catcher. He caught 30 passes for 437 yards and a touchdown last year with the Panthers. However, his 14.6 yards per reception average was the best of his career.
Dickson brings a veteran presence to a tight end room currently lacking experience. Nick Vannett and Tyrone Swoopes are the only two tight ends on the roster otherwise. Jimmy Graham signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency and Luke Willson has taken a few free agent visits in recent days as well.
The Seahawks have been linked to several other free agents. Minnesota defensive tackle Tom Johnson, Green Bay defensive lineman Quinton Dial, Atlanta defensive end Derrick Shelby, San Francisco defensive lineman Tank Carradine, Dallas defensive end Benson Mayowa, Tennessee running back Demarco Murray, Washington wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, Arizona wide receiver Jaron Brown, Chicago wide receiver Markus Wheaton, New York Giants offensive lineman D.J. Fluker and Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh have all been tied to Seattle through visits or reported interest in recent days.
Photo Credit: CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 12: Ed Dickson #84 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against Nigel Bradham #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)