The Seattle Seahawks have reached deals with a pair of free agent guards to address their holes on their offensive line.
Seattle has reportedly re-signed guard D.J. Fluker to a two-year deal and added former Arizona Cardinals guard Mike Iupati on a one-year deal. Both deals were reported by Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
Fluker and Iupati are both familiar faces for the Seahawks but in differing aspects. Fluker spent 2018 with the Seahawks, appearing in 10 games with nine starts at right guard. Iupati has spent his entire career playing against the Seahawks in the NFC West. He's played for the Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers in his nine seasons in the NFL.
Iupati has played his entire career at left guard and will continue to do so with the Seahawks. He reunites with offensive line coach Mike Solari, who was the offensive line coach for Iupati with the 49ers from 2010-14. He's started all 114 games he's appeared in during his nine-year career. However, he's played just 11 games combined over the last two seasons due to injuries. A bone spur in his elbow required surgery in 2017 after just one game. Last season, a knee injury in December ended his season.
Iupati and Fluker are both run-oriented players first and foremost and have their occasional struggles in pass protection.
The Seahawks are now likely set along their offensive line. Seattle will likely return four of five starters on the line with Iupati moving into the left guard spot vacated by J.R. Sweezy's signing with Arizona. Additionally, tackles George Fant and Jamarco Jones, guards Jordan Simmons and Ethan Pocic and center Joey Hunt are all back as depth as well.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 02: D.J. Fluker #78 of the Seattle Seahawks during pre-game warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)