Sebastian Janikowski played 18 years with one NFL team. He was a Raider for nearly two decades, with 17 years as the Silver and Black's placekicker and last season spent on injured reserve.
His contract was up this offseason, and the Raiders let it expire. They went younger and cheaper there, retaining Giorgio Tavheccio on an exclusive rights free agent contract tender.
That put Janikowski on the open market for the first time as a professional, where he stayed for nearly a month. On Friday afternoon, he landed in Seattle.
He signed with the Seahawks, a solid landing spot for a strong-armed kicker with plenty of power and accuracy left at age 40. He's fully healthy again after missing last season with a back injury, and is committed to continuing his career after the Raiders left him go.
That #FridayFeeling when you sign in Seattle. 📝😎 pic.twitter.com/8Q90sQKPRk— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 13, 2018
Janikowksi landed in a good spot. He doesn't have real competition on the Seahawks roster and should be the kicker in 2018. Seattle employed Blair Walsh last season, but let him walk away after he converted just 72.4 percent of his field goals last season.
Sports
The Raiders were content to let him walk away, confident Tavecchio can carry on following a strong 2017 season. The Raiders are expected to bring in some competition, though there's little doubt Tavecchio will be the Raiders kicker next season.
