Seahawks OTAs: Who Will Replace Bruce Irvin?

The Seahawks lost OLB Bruce Irvin in free agency to Oakland. As they continue their workouts, who will step up to replace the edge rusher?

Outside linebacker/ edge rusher Bruce Irvin had his ups and downs in his career with the Seahawks. He has 22 sacks in his four years in the NFL, all with the Seahawks, to go along with three touchdowns and seven turnovers forced overall. Irvin was famously brushed aside routinely in the playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons in 2012 and was also seen returning interceptions to the house with his blazing edge speed in 2014.

The debate as to how much the Seahawks will miss Irvin, a first-round pick in 2012, will rage until we start to see what he can do in a Raiders uniform during the regular season, but no doubt the Seahawks will need another edge rusher to step up across from Michael Bennett this season. Emerging from Seahawks camp are a few players who may see more action as edge rushers this season with Irvin gone.

Chris Clemons was brought in by Pete Carroll and John Schneider to add depth to the defensive line. A familiar player in the Seahawks’ defensive scheme, Clemons spent the last few moderately successful seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, although Gus Bradley and company were likely hoping for more from the veteran defensive end to help them end their run of futility in Florida. He could rediscover the pass-rushing ability that helped him and the Seahawks defense win their first Super Bowl.