No More “Hassles” for Seattle
Hasselbeck going; Jackson, Leinart coming
Matt Hasselbeck’s record-setting 10-year stay with the Seahawks is over, according to multiple reports, and QBs Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Leinart have reportedly agreed to terms with the team.
Matt Hasselbeck is out as quarterback of the Seahawks and Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Leinart are on their way in, according to multiple media reports on Tuesday.
The end of Hasselbeck’s 10-year stay with the club is the latest transitional move by general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll, who pulled off a staggering 284 transactions last year during their first season with the Seahawks. It’s also the latest indication that they will continue to go younger – even at the most pivotal position on the team.
Schneider and Carroll called Hasselbeck to inform him of the decision, Tim Hasselbeck told 710 ESPN during an interview. Tim Hasselbeck, Matt’s younger brother, also played QB in the NFL and now is an analyst for ESPN.
“In a very classy move, Pete Carroll and John Schneider called Matthew and said, ‘Listen, we appreciate what you have done for the organization, but we are going to go in a different direction and sign another quarterback,’ ” Tim Hasselbeck said.
Jackson played for new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell the past five seasons in Minnesota, where Jackson started 20 games after being selected in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Vikings. Jackson is expected to compete with incumbent backup Charlie Whitehurst for the Seahawks’ starting job, with Leinart also in the mix.
Although Jackson and Leinart reportedly agreed to terms on Tuesday, they cannot sign the contracts until Friday under the rules that accompany the agreement on a new CBA that was reached between the owners and NFLPA.
Jackson, 28, was 8-4 as the Vikings’ starter in 2007, when he completed 171 of 294 passes for 1,911 yards and 12 TDs – all career highs. In five seasons, Jackson completed 354 of 603 passes for 3,984 yards, with 24 TDs and 22 interceptions.
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