Russell Wilson. Shane Waldron. Pete Carroll.
For new Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett, those three people are a big reason why he's heading to Seattle after a four-year stay with the Los Angeles Rams.
Everett signed with Seattle in March to a one-year deal that is officially a two-year pact for its effects on the salary cap. The 2022 portion of the contract will void automatically after the upcoming season. Everett's deal with the Seahawks gives him $6 million guaranteed for the upcoming season. The team can spread $2 million of that amount to next year's salary cap with the extra voidable year.
A former second-round pick out of South Alabama, Everett split time at tight end with Tyler Higbee in Los Angeles. He's had some standout performances at times with his best performance coming in 2019 game against Seattle. With former Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron coming to the Seahawks as their new offensive coordinator, Everett was intrigued by the prospect of joining him and playing with Wilson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
"Well when Shane first moved to Seattle. I mean, you know, obviously, the idea was always there, it lingered in my head," Everett said on Thursday.
"Shane has definitely been pivotal in my career and definitely been a mentor and coach. And he's definitely just shown me the ropes and of course we've had that tight-knit relationship since I've got in [to the NFL] and it still remains, obviously, and yes he was a factor in my decision coming to Seattle. But also Seattle having a great organization, a winning culture and great players like Russ, DK and you know Bobby Wagner and a bunch of other guys. But just to pinpoint one reason would have to be, if I had to pick one, it would be Shane, for sure."
Waldron is taking over for Brian Schottenheimer as the team's offensive coordinator after a three-year run with the team. Waldron had multiple roles on the Rams' coaching staff during Everett's four years in Los Angeles, most recently as the team's passing game coordinator.
So what are the Seahawks getting in Waldron?
"They're getting a mastermind," Everett said of Waldron. "Similar to McVay, I think they and Shane put their heads together and you had the magic that we were able to whip up in Los Angeles. But having Shane in Seattle now, we're able to see really what he can do isolated away from the group and give him a new set of pieces and just see how he uses them."
Everett has had some standout performances at times with his best performance coming in 2019 game against Seattle. Everett caught seven passes for 136 yards in the contest. It remains the only 100-yard game of his career so far in four seasons in the NFL.
"Obviously you guys know that I've been utilized in multiple ways," Everett said of what he brings to the Seahawks. "I don't like to really just look at myself solely as a tight end but you know today, no I don't think that I've really eclipsed or reached my peak and I definitely think that Russ and Seattle can assist me in doing so and along with Pete and Shane. But I definitely think I can take the next step in Seattle.
"I can be a receiver. I can be a tight end. I can run the ball. I can pass pro. I can take the top off the defense. Seattle already has all those things and I feel like I can only add more and be more of a addition to it."
Everett said that joining Waldron, catching passes from Wilson, playing for Carroll, and catching passes with Metcalf and Lockett were some of the factors that made him want to come to Seattle.
"I just wanted to take the best offer," Everett said. "And I feel like a lot of times, monetary might not be the best option. That might more so be the pieces that are already on a team, an example like a Russell Wilson. You know I wasn’t able to play with a quarterback like Russ up to this point in my career. I've had a different quarterback each place I've been so to be able to play with a guy of Russ' caliber is really exciting."
Photo Credit: INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams runs rushes after a pass reception during the first half of a game against the New York Jets at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)