Ex-Raiders DE Benson Mayowa Agrees to Seahawks Contract; Had 7 Sacks in 2019

The Seattle Seahawks have added some depth to their defensive line, agreeing to a deal with former Las Vegas Raider Benson Mayowa, per his agent David Canter.

The 28-year-old defensive end totaled 15 tackles and seven sacks last season with three forced fumbles despite coming off the bench. Terms of the deal have not yet been released. 

The announcement comes as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is still looking for his payday in free agency. Clowney reportedly had been looking for a deal averaging $20 million per season, though that market may no longer exist for the former No. 1 overall pick who Seattle traded for last year.

There had also been chatter that the Seahawks could be interested in former Minnesota Viking Everson Griffen, but that would be contingent on Clowney signing elsewhere first. 

In the meantime, Seattle is beefing up its depth on the defensive line with Mayowa. 

The Idaho product went undrafted in 2013 before getting a tryout with the Seahawks. Two years with the Raiders followed before he spent the next two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Mayowa continued to bounce around, joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 before going back to the Raiders last season. 

To date, he's started just 15 of the 87 career games he's appeared in. 

Perhaps most incredible about his seven-sack, three-forced fumble 2019 is that he put up those numbers while playing just 29 percent of the Raiders' defensive snaps per Pro Football Reference. 

According to Spotrac.com, the Seahawks have $14.6 million left under the salary cap this season not including Mayowa's deal. 

While Seattle works on resolving its contract situation with Clowney, it continues to make sure it's covered regardless of where he lands. Adding Mayowa to the mix helps guarantee that.