The Oakland Raiders and defensive lineman Richard Seymour have agreed on a new two-year contract worth around $30 million.
Former Patriot signs new two-year deal with Raiders
The Oakland Raiders and defensive lineman Richard Seymour have agreed on a new two-year contract worth around $30 million.
Seymour played the franchise tag for $12.4 million and was due to collect $14.9 under the franchise tag in 2011, but the Raiders have now cleared their decks by tying him down to a new deal.
The 31-year-old made 48 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 123 games last season - his first since being brought in from the New England Patriots in exchange for a first-round draft pick.
Many eyebrows were raised by Oakland's deal with the Pats, but since they ended the season at 8-8 New England will now only get the 17th pick overall for releasing Seymour.
Seymour made the Pro Bowl for the sixth time after his displays last season, and he is a three-time Super Bowl champion from his time with New England.
Leader
A leader on a relatively inexperienced defensive line, Seymour moved inside to defensive tackle to settle the line, and always wanted to remain in Oakland after a positive first season with the Raiders.
"It's a great place to play," Seymour said before agreeing a new deal. "The fans are unlike any others in the league. They're definitely committed, and they want the same type of players to play in this organisation.
"The history of being here, the mystique of putting that silver and black on and representing the Raiders, it's been a lifelong dream for me and, hopefully, it continues."
Oakland still have a number of players who could become free agents, provided the season goes ahead, and they seem close to extending linebacker Kamerion Wimbley's contract after he led the team in sacks with nine last season.
Tight end Zach Miller is their leading receiver for the last three seasons and he could be the recipient of the franchise tag for around $7.3 million, while the Raiders hope to sign star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a new deal.
