Offensive lineman Stephen Schilling stepping away from NFL

SEATTLE – Seattle’s search for additional veteran depth at center will have to extend beyond Bellevue.

Stephen Schilling, a former Bellevue High star who returned home to serve as a backup lineman for the Seahawks last season, said Thursday he will turn down overtures from the team to return in 2015 and will instead retire.

The 26-year-old Schilling is an unrestricted free agent and said Seattle began talking to him about returning after trading starting center Max Unger to New Orleans for tight end Jimmy Graham.

Schilling played eight games last season, including three as a starter at center, before landing on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. But Schilling said there was no single factor that led to his decision.

“There were a lot of things, I would say,” he said. “Just a personal choice for me at this time in my life.”Schilling said the decision had nothing to do with the Seahawks, saying he loved playing for coach Pete Carroll and offensive line coach Tom Cable.