SEATTLE -- The Seattle Seahawks are working to finalize a two-year deal with defensive tackle Poona Ford, a source told ESPN.
Ford, 25, was set to be a restricted free agent, so his new deal would be in lieu of a one-year, restricted-free-agent tender. It would put Ford on track to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 season, when he'll be 27.
The Seahawks also agreed to a one-year deal with former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, a source confirmed to ESPN. The agreement comes after the team lost starting cornerback Shaquill Griffin to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier Tuesday.
Ford, who is 5-foot-11, went undrafted out of Texas in 2018, due in part to his short stature. He has been a full-time starter alongside Jarran Reed the past two seasons and one of Seattle's most underrated players. Ford set career-highs in 2020 with eight tackles for loss, two sacks and nine QB hits while developing from an early-down run-stuffer to a three-down defender capable of moving the pocket.