Seattle confirmed they re-signed veteran linebacker and special teams standout Mike Morgan to a contract yesterday. Details of the deal have yet to be shared.

Analysis

Morgan has managed to earn his way onto the roster every year despite making the bulk of his contributions on special teams. He has always been a good athlete, and has had some chances to contribute on the field as a linebacker and sometimes as a rush defensive end.

Morgan gives the team a veteran option to compete for the Bruce Irvin’s vacated SAM position. People often misunderstand that Irvin played two roles on the team. He was listed as a starting SAM linebacker, but he also was a nickel edge rusher. Morgan can do a bit of both, but is more likely to see snaps at SAM, which is a position that requires setting an edge against outside runs and battling inline tight ends.

He has never been a particularly dynamic player, and has appeared undisciplined at times in his gaps, which has led to some breakout runs for opposing teams when Morgan has been on the field. Pete Carroll knows him from all the way back to high school, and coached him at USC. Morgan is unlikely to ever be a starter, but will get a chance to push Eric Pinkins, Frank Clark and others at the SAM position.