A league source confirmed Wednesday that the Seahawks have agreed to terms with free-agent receiver Sidney Rice.
Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com was the first to report the deal, which was then confirmed with independently to Seattlepi.com. John Clayton of ESPN reported that Rice’s deal will be for five years, worth $41 million with $18.5 million guaranteed.
Rice, of course, can’t officially sign until Friday.
Rice was considered one of the top free-agent receivers available. He figures to immediately become Seattle’s No. 1 receiver, and will provide the kind of playmaking deep-threat the Seahawks have sorely lacked in recent years.
Rice is the second former Minnesota Vikings in player to agree to contract terms with the Seahawks in the last two days. On Tuesday, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson agreed to terms, signaling the end of Matt Hasselbeck era. Both Jackson and Rice played in Darrell Bevell’s offense in Minnesota. Bevell was hired in January the Seahawks offensive coordinator, and that’s a connection that cannot be ignored here.
Rice, 24, played just six games last season after undergoing hip surgery in late August. In 2008, he caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
He’s the second big-impact signing of the day for the Seahawks. A source also confirmed earlier news that the team reached an agreement with offensive lineman Robert Gallery, who fills a big need at the left guard.