Tony Moeaki signing with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday was about as surprising as the veteran tight end joining the Seahawks in November because Zach Miller was about to be placed on injured reserve.
Moeaki played in six games and caught eight passes, but re-signing him when he became an unrestricted free agent this month was not a priority because the Seahawks acquired three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham in a trade with the New Orleans Saints on the first day of the league's free-agency period.
The Seahawks also have re-signed tight end Anthony McCoy, who spent the past two seasons on IR after damaging his Achilles tendon. And they still have Luke Willson, who stepped as the starter for the since-released Miller last season; Cooper Helfet, who became the backup; and RaShaun Allen, who spent most of last season on the practice squad.
"We love Cooper and RaShaun, and we were able to re-sign Anthony McCoy," general manager John Schneider said last week. "And you saw the year that Luke had."
Willson caught 22 passes for a 16.5-yard average and three touchdowns during the regular season and added six receptions for a 13.5-yard average and TD in the playoffs.
On Graham, Schneider quickly added, "This is an offensive weapon that we're adding. This is a guy that's a big-time difference maker at his position."
So Moeaki was put in the position of looking for a new NFL home. He found it in Atlanta, where former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is now the Falcons' head coach. The Falcons also announced on Thursday that they have signed former Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme.
The Falcons also have signed defensive end/linebacker O'Brien Schofield, another of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents; and offensive lineman Jared Smith, who was a seventh-round draft choice by the Seahawks in 2013 but spent his rookie season on IR and was waived injured last July.
Moeaki becomes the seventh of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents to sign with another team, joining cornerback Byron Maxwell (Philadelphia Eagles), guard James Carpenter (New York Jets), linebacker Malcolm Smith (Oakland Raiders), safety Jeron Johnson (Washington Redskins), wide receiver Bryan Walters (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Schofield.
A look at the projected Seattle Seahawks roster for the 2015 season including new faces from free agency and trade. This gallery is updated with every offseason transaction.
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Waiting for the photo card shoot with Brittany from the Saints.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback B.J. Daniels carries the ball in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Ready for rehearsal with Texans cheerleader Delaney
Taking a break from rehearsals with Lauren from the Chargers.
Seattle Seahawks' David Gilreath in action at an NFL football camp practice Wednesday, July 30, 2014, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a warm up pass during a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Tampa. The Saints won the game 23-20. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Enjoying the sun following our photo card shoot with Holly from the Cowboys.
Wisconsin defensive lineman Brendan Kelly takes a position during the first half at the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman David King (70) rests during an NFC Divisional Playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Seattle, Wa. The Seahawks won the game, 31-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Anthony McCoy (85) runs during a NFL NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Georgia on January 13, 2013. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 30-28. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Heading to breakfast with Heather from the Titans on Day 2 in Hawaii.
In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, Colorado senior defensive tackle Will Pericak warms up before facing UCLA in the first quarter of an NCAA football game in Boulder, Colo. Pericak faces two opponents every Saturday: the opposing quarterback and diabetes. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Break from rehearal with Heather of the Titans.
Cleveland Browns nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin (71) gets ready for the snap during the NFL week 14 regular season football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Cleveland. The Colts won the game 25-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Ready for breakfast on Day 2 with Delaney from the Texans.
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Break from rehearal with Heather of the Titans.
Ready for our photo card shoot with Brittany from the Saints.
My new line! Team Rice Line 2!
Buffalo Bills' Jared Wheeler (63) stretches during warm-ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday Aug. 8, 2014. The Bills won 20-18. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jesse Williams
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
