The Seahawks signed linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe on Thursday, adding a player who should contribute on special teams while also potentially competing for a starting job at linebacker.
Iyiegbuniwe, a 2018 fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky who spent the past four years with the Bears, has played almost exclusively on special teams so far in his career, recording 34 tackles and a forced fumble, but he's looking to compete for a bigger role in Seattle, and he signed with Seattle in part for the opportunity to do that.
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"That was a big thing, the fit, competing," he said. "I want to be a starter, I want to be a dominant player, so the opportunity is one thing I'm excited about. It's a perfect opening and I want to take advantage."
Iyiegbuniwe described himself as a player who is "hungry," adding, "I want to be great. I think my football IQ (is a strength)—learning defenses, understanding it, teaching it. Then my athletic ability, I think I can do a lot of things well—cover, blitz, run game. I'm excited to show that off. I made a name on special teams, and that's part of the reason I'm here, but obviously I have big goals for myself individually, and I know what it's going to take to get there. Just getting my foot in the door is a big thing."
In addition to an opportunity to compete at linebacker, Iyiegbuniwe also cited the presence of associate head coach-defense Sean Desai as a big factor in signing with the Seahawks. Desai, who last year was Chicago's defensive coordinator, was in Chicago for all four of Iyiegbuniwe's seasons there.
"Honestly, the fit was the biggest thing for me," Iyiegbuniwe said. "Where I'm at in my career, where the team is at, and the need for my position, everything just kind of lined up. Sean Desai called, and we made it happen. He was huge for me. He looked out for me and said good things about me, and that's why Pete (Carroll) and everybody took a chance on me."
Check out photos of Seahawks linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe from his first four seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, including his performance at the 2018 NFL Combine.
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Western Kentucky linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe looks on during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe listens to reporters before the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Friday, May 11, 2018, in Lake Forest, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe talks to reporters before the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Friday, May 11, 2018, in Lake Forest, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears guard Eric Kush (64) and linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) run onto the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants tight end C.J. Conrad during an NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe takes a photo with fans before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) in action against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) works against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Atlanta. The Chicago Bears won 30-26. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) plays against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) talks with defensive back Deon Bush (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) walks off the field after an NFL football game, Monday, November 8, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
