Offensive guard Mike Iupati is signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Contract details are pending at this time. Iupati spent the first five seasons of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, and the past four years with the Arizona Cardinals.
#Seahawks are signing G Mike Iupati, source says. One-year deal for the former #Cardinals and #49ers lineman. He's 75% of the way through the NFC West.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 14, 2019
Mike Iupati Re-Signs With the Seattle Seahawks
Iupati was a highly touted offensive guard coming out of Idaho in the 2010 NFL Draft. He began his career as the starting left guard for the 49ers. He got off to a great start to his career, being named to the All-Rookie team. He followed that up with an excellent second year, being named to his first Pro Bowl and helping lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
Despite the 49ers downfall, he sustained success, leading their offensive line. However, his stint with the 49ers would soon come to an end as he entered free-agency in 2015. He signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Cardinals. He got off to an excellent start with the Cardinals, being named to his fourth Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro. After another successful campaign the following year, he entered the 2017 season as one of the best guards in the game. Unfortunately, after suffering an injury in Week One, he was out for the remainder of the season. This past season, he also battled injuries throughout, before being placed on season-ending injury reserve.
Despite his early success in the NFL, he has not been able to stay healthy in recent years, and it is a possible cause for concern. However, if Iupati can prove that his last couple years are not the norm, he can make his way back as one of the best offensive linemen in the game. The NFL has become a league where it is almost impossible to win without a stout offensive line. Iupati has the potential to be the anchor to a top-tier offensive line, but he must stay on the field to do that. Fortunately, all of his injuries have been different, and unrelated.
Overall, despite the recent injury scares, he remains one of the more sought-after offensive linemen in the league.
