Watters A Seahawk Seattle Signs Free-Agent Back To Four-Year, $13-Million Deal
If money can buy a trip to the Super Bowl, Paul Allen is willing to spend it.
On Wednesday, the Seattle Seahawks owner demonstrated that willingness once again, hiring unrestricted free-agent running back Ricky Watters.
It was a costly deal for the Seahawks; a four-year contract for $13 million that includes a $5 million signing bonus, said Watters’ agent, Leigh Steinberg.
“Obviously they want to win,” the 6-foot-1, 217-pound Watters said at a news conference. “Everybody wants to win here.”
Most of all Allen, the billionaire co-founder of the Microsoft Corp. who also is pumping millions of dollars into the Portland Trail Blazers in a bid for an NBA title.
The Seahawks have not made the playoffs for nine seasons.
Allen hopes to change that.
“In this day and age, money plays a big part,” said Watters, 28, referring to what it takes to win in the NFL. “This is big business.”
The Seahawks have enlisted Watters, a five-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards four times in his career, to be their running back next season. Seattle lost free-agent running back Lamar Smith to New Orleans.
Allen, starting his second year as owner of the Seahawks, has added free agents Darrin Smith, a linebacker; Kevin Glover, a center; Jeff Feagles, a punter; and Chris Gray, a guard.
Darrin Smith signed a four-year, $11.44 million contract. Glover got a three-year, $8.1 million contract.
Feagles got a $1.06 million signing bonus, the largest ever given to a punter.
“They brought in Glover,” Watters said. “They obviously want to win.”
The Seahawks are still looking for an unrestricted free-agent guard. They’ve talked to Brian Habib of Denver.
In addition to Lamar Smith, the Seahawks lost unrestricted free-agent center Kevin Mawae to the New York Jets.
The addition of Watters to Seattle’s running-back corps probably means the end of Chris Warren’s career here. The Seahawks are expected to trade or release Warren, who is the franchise’s all-time rushing leader with 6,706 yards.
Warren, a three-time Pro Bowler and a four-time 1,000-yard rusher for the Seahawks, is scheduled to earn $4.1 million against the team’s salary cap next season.
“We’ve had some teams call us about Chris already,” said Randy Mueller, vice president of football operations.
Watters played the last three seasons for Philadelphia, where he rushed for 1,110 and seven touchdowns. He played his first four seasons for San Francisco.
In his NFL career, Watters has 6,634 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns on 1,628 carries. He also has 301 receptions for 2,768 yards and nine touchdowns.
Watters picked the Seahawks over the Arizona Cardinals.
“Free agency is a great thing and all of that, but I’m glad it’s over,” he said.
Watters has been criticized in the past for being an immature, selfish player who puts himself first and his team second.
Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt disputes that.
“There’s no problem with Ricky Watters,” Whitsitt said. “I’m still today trying to find out where’s the attitude.
“He practices hard, he competes hard, he wants to win, he’s on time and he’s a competitor.”