RENTON, Wash. (AP) - Linebacker O’Brien Schofield and cornerback A.J. Jefferson have both agreed to terms to join the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Schofield announced on his Twitter page Friday that he was re-signing with the Seahawks. Jefferson’s agent also tweeted about the cornerback joining the Seahawks after he was released last November by Minnesota following an arrest.
The Seahawks confirmed later Friday that both players had agreed to terms with the team. Seattle also announced it would not pick up the fifth-year contract option on former first-round pick James Carpenter, making him eligible to be a free agent after the 2014 season.
Schofield proved important early last season when injuries hit the Seahawks defense. Schofield appeared in 15 regular-season games with two starts. He finished with one sack and appeared in two playoff games. Schofield agreed to a deal with the New York Giants in free agency but the deal was voided.
Jefferson appeared in 25 games combined over the past two seasons with Minnesota. His best season came in 2011 with Arizona when he had 59 tackles and one interception.
Jefferson was released by the Vikings last November after he was arrested and jailed on a domestic assault complaint. According to Hennepin County, Minnesota, court records, Jefferson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in March and is on probation for one year. Jefferson also had to pay $1,078 in fines and fees.
Carpenter was Seattle’s first-round selection in 2011. He’s struggled to maintain a starting spot with the Seahawks, playing in just 32 games in three seasons. Last season was the first time Carpenter was healthy for an entire year and he started 10 of 16 games. He also started at left guard in the Super Bowl.
Seattle also announced moves on its coaching staff, adding Chris Morgan as an assistant offensive line coach, Chad Morton as an assistant special teams coach and Will Harriger as an offensive assistant. Morgan comes to Seattle from the Washington Redskins, while Morton most recently worked for Green Bay once his playing career ended. Harriger was most recently coaching at Florida.
The Seahawks also announced that Nate Carroll - son of coach Pete Carroll - will now be Seattle’s assistant wide receivers coach and John Glenn will be a quality control coach for the defense.
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