The Seattle Seahawks are turning to a former first-round pick to help fill one of the gaps on its revamped defense.

The Seahawks and free agent outside linebacker/defensive end Barkevious Mingo reached agreement on a two-year deal on Wednesday at the start of the new NFL league year. According to a person with knowledge of the deal [url=http://www.brownscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-spencer-drango-jersey]Spencer Drango Jersey[/url] , Mingo's deal is worth up to $10.1 million and includes $3.2 million in guaranteed money.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced by the team.

It was a rare addition for Seattle on the first day of free agency. The Seahawks have typically waited for the first rush of signings to subside before jumping into the free agent pool. But the addition of Mingo also stopped a wave of departures from the Seahawks on the defensive side, highlighted by the subtractions of cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive end Michael Bennett in the past week.

Mingo, 27, was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft by Cleveland, but after three underwhelming seasons with the Browns has bounced to New England and Indianapolis the past two seasons.

Mingo started six games last season for the Colts and finished with a career-high 32 tackles. He'll likely be in the competition for the strongside linebacker spot in Seattle's defense playing near the line of scrimmage. Seattle has struggled to find a consistent option for that position since losing Bruce Irvin in free agency after the 2015 season. Seattle used Michael Wilhoite and Terence Garvin as the primary starters at the position last season.

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara signed a contract that will take him through his 42nd birthday, and he’s already anticipating the next one.

”I believe, myself, that I’m going to be playing beyond this contract,” he said on Wednesday after agreeing to a one-year deal that will pay him at least $5 million.

”No matter how long you want to continue to play [url=http://www.cowboyscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-tyrone-crawford-jersey]Tyrone Crawford Jersey[/url] , you have to perform. You have to back up your status,” he said. ”So I know I need to go out there every night and do my job, perform and play hard and work hard and be a great example for my teammates. (The) rest of it, it will fall into place.”

A five-time All-Star who was the league’s best defenseman in 2009, Chara turned 41 this month but still leads the Bruins in time on ice with an average of 23 minutes per game. He has seven goals and 16 assists this season, his 20th in the NHL, and is the franchise’s third-leading scorer for a defenseman, behind Hall of Famers Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr.

”He’s been a dominant player this year,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said. ”He takes all of the hard matchups still [url=http://www.bengalscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-giovani-bernard-jersey]Giovani Bernard Jersey[/url] , doesn’t shy away from any situations and has embraced the role that he’s kind of emerged into. … He’s indicated that he wants to perform at a high, high level, he expects to perform at a high level, and he’s backed that up.”

Chara was in the final year of a seven-year, $45 million contract that reportedly paid him $4 million this year. His new deal guarantees him $5 million but also has incentives that could pay him $1.75 million more.

”I will not be surprised if we’re sitting here (again),” Sweeney said, ”because he’s indicated he wants to continue to play.”

Sweeney conceded that Chara had leverage if he went to the free agent market. But the 6-foot-9 Bruins captain said he wanted to stay in Boston and help develop young players such as Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork.

”I believe in this team,” Chara said. ”It’s very exciting to be a part of this team. I think this team has a chance [url=http://www.bearscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-devin-hester-jersey]Devin Hester Jersey[/url] , and that’s all you can ask for. The rest of it is up to us to do on the ice. So, yeah, that was my priority, to stay in Boston, to be a Boston Bruin.”

Sweeney said Chara’s influence isn’t just on the younger players.

”It really is a ripple effect through our whole hockey club,” the GM said. ”Every player realizes the bar is set so high with a player that has accomplished as much as he has, yet he shows up every day. … At times, when we’re trying to get him off the ice, he wants to be on it more. So [url=http://www.texanscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-stephen-anderson-jersey]Stephen Anderson Jersey[/url] , I think the example for excellence starts with Zdeno.”

Chara played in the Bruins’ first 68 games this season before an unspecified injury that has sidelined him since March 13. Boston has also played without Patrice Bergeron, David Backes, Rick Nash, Torey Krug, McAvoy and DeBrusk this month, but is just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the best record in the Eastern Conference heading into Thursday night’s matchup.

”I’m so proud of the team, and what the guys have been able to do with so many guys being out of the lineup,” Chara said. ”Just a great indication that this team has a never-give-up attitude and willing to fight till the last whistle.”

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