Seahawks Hire Former Vikings Linebacker
Three players in the 2010s dominated the Minnesota Vikings linebacker crew: Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Chad Greenway. When Mike Zimmer arrived in 2014, Greenway was in the final years of his career, a leftover from the previous head coaches. Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman invested the ninth overall pick in 2014 and a second-rounder in 2015 to reunite UCLA’s linebacker duo.
Seahawks Hire Former Vikings Linebacker
The third linebacker in Zimmer’s 4-3 varied over the years. Ben Gedeon, Nick Vigil, and Eric Wilson are three examples. It was a rotational role as nickel defenses with a fifth defensive back rather than a third linebacker had become the standard defense throughout the years.
Another player with starting experience late in Zimmer’s tenure is linebacker Blake Lynch. He departed from the Vikings following the 2022 offseason when the new regime axed him from the 90-man roster. He has now signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
The franchise announced on Monday: “The Seahawks added to their linebacker depth on Monday, signing linebacker Blake Lynch. Center Mike Novitsky was released to make room on the 90-man roster.”
The defender tried out for the Seahawks in June’s minicamp. Two months later, he finally joined the club.
Lynch, born and raised in Northeast Texas, attended Baylor University. He played all over the place in his college career, starting games at cornerback, linebacker, safety, wideout, and running back.
As an undrafted free agent in 2020, Spielman acquired him, and he made the practice squad in his debut season. Lynch played four games (one start) in 2020. His role grew massively in 2021, when he appeared in 16 games (six starts), logging 218 defensive and 342 special teams snaps. He filled the stat sheet with one interception, one forced fumble, two sacks, and 35 tackles.
The Vikings waived him after the 2022 preseason. Later that year, Lynch signed up with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad but didn’t appear in a game all year. He was ultimately released in May of 2023. In July, the Chargers acquired him, and after opening the regular season on the practice squad, Lynch was signed to the 53-man roster later in the year. He played in seven games for the Chargers, exclusively as a special teamer.
Seattle is getting a linebacker with a knack for tackling and an extensive resume on special teams. In Seattle’s first unofficial depth chart, Lynch is listed as a fourth-stringer, which is unsurprising for a recent addition.
Lynch is unlikely to make much noise in the upcoming season, but he might be included in the 53-man roster as a depth player and special teamer if he can usurp some of the players ahead of him. A stint on the practice squad is also possible.
The linebacker turned 27 in February. He played in 20 games in his two seasons with the Vikings.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt