Offensive tackle Russell Okung has agreed to terms on a five-year $53 million contract with the Denver Broncos. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Okung had spent the previous six seasons with the Seahawks.
Russell Okung's agreement with the #Broncos (first reported by @JosinaAnderson) is 5 years, up to $12M per year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
Russell Okung Agrees to 5-Year Deal with Broncos
The 6’5″, 310 pound left tackle started a total of 15 games for Seattle in 2015, including the postseason. Among Seahawks offensive linemen who played in at least 900 snaps, Okung allowed the fewest quarterback hurries on the year with 24. Be he dealt with an ankle injury late in the regular season. He also had to leave in the first half of Seattle’s eventual loss to Carolina in the NFC divisional round due to a shoulder injury.
In his two Super Bowl appearances with the Seahawks, Okung demonstrated his effectiveness as a pass blocker. He didn’t allow a single sack, hit or hurry on quarterback Russell Wilson in either of the two games. Buoyed by that protection and aided by the famed “Legion of Boom” secondary, Seattle romped in Super Bowl XLVIII over Denver 43-8.
2012 is looked at as Okung’s best season in the NFL so far, and his only Pro Bowl appearance to date. The now 28-year-old was rated as one of the league’s best pass blocking tackles. He finished as one of just three players at his position who played over 1,000 snaps to allow less than 15 quarterback hurries. And he also received the fifth-highest run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus among left tackles that year.
The Houston, TX native played collegiately at Oklahoma State and was one of the more highly sought after tackles coming out of college. He collected a number of accolades, including being named a first-team all-American two years in a row. He also won Big 12 offensive lineman of the year during his senior season in 2009. Among his more notable accomplishments is holding now Super Bowl MVP Von Miller without a sack when the two played that year.
The 2016 season will be Okung’s seventh in the league.
