Julian Love agrees to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal for former New York Giants safety Julian Love, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Love, who started 16 games last year and made 32 starts over four seasons with the Giants, reinforces the Seahawks’ attitude of uncertainty. While their most obvious needs centered on defense in the front seven, their secondary also has a big question mark with strong safety Jamaal Adams emerging from surgery to repair his quadriceps tendon.

Adams’ injury occurred in Week 1 last season, but coach Pete Carroll said in January that his recovery would continue into the summer, raising the question of whether he would be ready by the opener.

Ryan Neal took over from Adams last season and has been one of the best defenders in Seattle. The Seahawks gave Neil the low bid as a restricted free agent at $2.627 million, who could invite offers from other teams. Free safety Quandre Diggs, who made his second consecutive Pro Bowl in 2022, is under contract for two more seasons while Adams is signed through 2025.

Love, 24, was a Giants captain and full-time starting safety this past season for the first time in his career. He finished with leading the team with 124 tackles and tying for the team leader with two interceptions, as well as being a mainstay on special teams including serving as a punt protector.

The Notre Dame product bounced back and forth for the first three years of his career between a cornerback and a safety. He never seemed to find a permanent home despite starting 16 games over those three seasons.

But after the Giants cut Logan Ryan last season when the new system arrived, he opened the door for Love to play a bigger role. He was a mainstay on Wink Martindale’s defense, and even became the team’s defensive caller after safety Xavier McKinney broke his hand during his bye week in an off-road accident.

The Giants, who selected Love as the starting linebacker in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft from Notre Dame, held contract talks with him during his bye week.

He has 291 tackles and 5 interceptions in four NFL seasons.

Also on Friday, the Seahawks addressed one of their biggest needs by signing former Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush. His deal is for one season, a source told Shifter. The 24-year-old Bosh was the 10th overall pick in 2019. He gives Seattle an option to replace Cody Barton, who signed with the Washington Chiefs in free agency.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan contributed to this report.