Report: Former Starting C Justin Britt Visits Seahawks

Only a few months after being released for salary cap relief, Britt took a visit to Seattle's team facility for a tryout on Monday, opening up the possibility he could return before the start of the regular season.

What's old appears to be new again in Seattle, at least from a free agent visit standpoint.

Along with receiver Paul Richardson, ESPN's Field Yates reported veteran center Justin Britt also took part in a official workout and visit with the Seahawks on Wednesday. He was released by the team as a cap casualty following the NFL draft in April.

A second-round pick out of Missouri in 2014, Britt began his career as a starter at right tackle for Seattle and started at the position in Super Bowl XLIX. The following year, he moved inside to right guard before finally settling in at center in 2016.

Over the past four seasons, Britt has started 54 games at the pivot position and played in all but one game from 2016 to 2018. Last season, he suffered a torn ACL against the Falcons in Week 8 and landed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Back in March, Seattle signed fifth-year center B.J. Finney to a two-year deal worth $8 million and following Britt's release, he was expected to replace him as the starter. The decision to cut Joey Hunt before the start of training camp made his inclusion in the lineup seem to be a foregone conclusion.

But during the first two weeks of camp, Finney has been outperformed by Ethan Pocic and recently started working as a reserve guard. Though coach Pete Carroll has said that the center position remains up for grabs, auditioning him at other positions suggests a decision has been made and they're simply trying to find somewhere for him to stick.

Now, with Britt almost a year removed from his injury, it's further evident the Seahawks aren't pleased with current situation at center. Re-signing him would be a clear sign the Finney signing already hasn't panned out as hoped earlier in the offseason.


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Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.