Jermaine Kearse Re-Signs with Seahawks: Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse reached an agreement to re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.

The Seahawks officially announced the move, per Gregg Bell of the News Tribune.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported it's a three-year deal. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added the contract is worth $13.5 million. 

The Seahawks signed Kearse as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He steadily developed into a reliable secondary target in the passing game in the four seasons that followed. The 2015 season was his most productive to date with 49 catches for 685 yards and five touchdowns.

He's also excelled in the postseason. The Washington product has tallied 28 catches for 471 yards and six scores in eight playoff games. That includes a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVIII as Seattle rolled past the Denver Broncos to win the title.

Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders noted those numbers stack up favorably against some much more prominent names at the position:

Kearse entered the offseason surrounded by uncertainty. Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times noted the playmaker hoped to remain with Seahawks.

"I grew up in the state of Washington. I would love to be here," Kearse said. "But there are going to have to be some decisions that have to be made, and we're just going to have to see when that time comes."

He told Schefter he wasn't interested in taking less money to stay, though: "I love my hometown, but I've put in too much hard work to give a discount. My No. 1 priority is to take care of my family's future, so I will consider all opportunities."

Ultimately, he decided going back to Seattle made the most sense. Not only does he get to stay close to home, but he's carved out a niche for himself as one of Russell Wilson's top targets and should continue to contend for championships.

Kearse, Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett give the Seahawks a solid trio of receivers. If the team can find more ways to get Jimmy Graham involved after a lackluster first year with the team (48 catches, 605 yards, two touchdowns), the passing offense should see a nice jump after finishing 20th in 2015.

While Kearse's numbers won't jump off the page as a receiver on a defense-oriented team with a balanced offensive approach, keeping him the fold is a good move by Seattle.