The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly considering acquiring Randy Gregory, a free agent pass rusher from the San Francisco 49ers. Gregory, who spent last season with the Niners after being released by the Denver Broncos in October 2023, has drawn interest from the Seahawks, according to a note by CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson on March 18, 2024.
Anderson mentioned that Aden Durde, the new defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, previously worked with Gregory during their time together in Dallas when Durde served as a defensive line coach.
Gregory’s stint with the Broncos ended abruptly last October after just four games, leading him to join the 49ers. His time in Denver didn’t go as anticipated, especially considering he had signed a lucrative five-year, $70 million deal in 2022.
Last season, the pass rusher recorded 20 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks across a total of 16 games split between the Niners and Broncos. Due to his underwhelming performance in Denver, Gregory is not expected to command a substantial contract.
Additionally, there’s a connection between Gregory and the new Seahawks defensive coordinator, Aden Durde, stemming from their time together at the Dallas Cowboys. Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times commented on March 18 that this connection makes sense, suggesting that any potential deal would likely be a one-year, low-risk contract.
Gregory was a significant pass rusher for the Cowboys, where he spent his initial five NFL seasons. Dallas drafted Gregory in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, selecting him as the No. 60 overall pick.
In 2021, Gregory’s most notable season occurred, during which the defensive end registered 19 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception in 12 games.
Considering the Seahawks’ need for additional pass rushers, particularly as they adapt to head coach Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme, there’s speculation about potential moves. Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated wondered if the Seahawks might entertain the idea of trading Darrell Taylor.
Smith mentioned in a message on March 18 that acquiring Randy Gregory could create redundancy in skill sets with Taylor, prompting speculation about the possibility of Seattle exploring a trade involving Taylor, especially after recently extending his contract.