Former Seahawks Safety Ryan Neal Signing With Buccaneers - Report

Only a few days after hitting the free agent market, Ryan Neal will be taking his talents to south Florida to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his four-year run with the Seattle Seahawks officially to an end.

After being cut loose by the Seattle Seahawks last week, veteran safety Ryan Neal didn't need much time to find a new NFL home.

According to Jordan Schultz of The Score, only four days after the Seahawks rescinded his restricted free agent tender, Neal has agreed to terms with the Buccaneers on a one-year contract. Financial terms have yet to be revealed.

Neal, 27, originally joined the Seahawks in 2019 after brief stints with the Falcons and Eagles. The former undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois considered retirement after being cut at the end of training camp in 2020, but he returned on the practice squad and wound up stepping in for an injured Jamal Adams, making an immediate impact, recording a game-winning interception to fend off the Cowboys and performing well in four starts that season.

With Adams going down again with a torn quad tendon in Seattle's season opener last September, Neal replaced him again in the starting lineup and turned in a career season, racking up 66 tackles, six pass breakups, an interception, a sack, and two forced fumbles. Rewarded for his efforts, he finished sixth in All-Pro voting, earning 14 points in balloting.

Despite playing well in every opportunity presented to him the past three years, Neal became expendable after the Seahawks signed former New York Giants starter Julian Love to a two-year deal in free agency. With Adams expected to return healthy and Pro Bowler Quandre Diggs also returning in 2023, the franchise has over $40 million in financial commitments at the position and couldn't afford to retain all four players.

By withdrawing the right of first refusal tender and allowing Neal to become an unrestricted free agent, Seattle saved $2.67 million against the cap.

Heading to Tampa Bay for the next phase of his career, Neal could be the favorite to start at strong safety for the Buccaneers, as only Nolan Turner is on the roster at the position currently. While the team could draft a player to compete against him, the new situation presents a far brighter outlook for him to see extensive playing time than in a crowded Seattle secondary.

From a depth perspective, Neal's departure should provide an opportunity for second-year safety Joey Blount to take on an expanded role on special teams. If injuries strike again, he would be next in line to see defensive snaps as well. With the draft coming up later this month, the Seahawks may now be more inclined to select a safety with one of their 10 picks for extra insurance as well.

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