SEATTLE — The Seahawks on Monday released starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson, completing a makeover of their inside linebacking corps as they attempt to rebound from a 4-5 start in which the run defense has been among the worst in the NFL.

Seattle signed cornerback Josh Jobe off the practice squad to fill Dodson’s spot on the 53-man roster. Jobe had no more elevations remaining off the practice squad and had to be signed to the 53 to continue to play.

Dodson started all nine games for the Seahawks this year, led the team with 71 tackles and filled the role as the team’s “green dot” helmet wearer, relaying in the play calls from the coaches.

But after starting the first seven games at middle linebacker, Dodson moved to the weak side prior to the Buffalo game after Seattle acquired Ernest Jones IV in a trade with Tennessee in the first step in remaking the linebacking corps. Seattle traded weak side linebacker Jerome Baker to the Titans as part of that deal, installed Jones in the middle and moved Dodson to the weakside.

Dodson, however, continued with his role as the “green dot wearer.” That, though, figures to now to go Jones. Jones drew praise from head coach Mike Macdonald for his play in Seattle’s 26-20 overtime loss to the Rams on Nov. 3 in which the Seahawks held LA to 68 yards rushing on 24 carries, less than half of what Seattle has been allowing on average per game — 139.4, which ranks 26th in the NFL.

The Seahawks will apparently go with rookie fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight or Drake Thomas at weakside linebacker alongside Jones, or possibly use more six-defensive back sets.

After beginning his career with five seasons in Buffalo, Dodson signed a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million in March as the Seahawks remade their linebacking corps after deciding not to re-sign Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks.

The Seahawks signed Baker a few days after signing Dodson. And Dodson and Baker comprised their inside linebacking duo for the first seven games of the season before the trade for Jones.

Baker was dealt to Tennessee to get Jones and now Dodson is gone, each fallout from what has been some surprising struggles for the defense as the Seahawks have lost five of their last six games.

The Seahawks rank 24th in yards allowed and also 26th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempts at 4.8. However, the Seahawks didn’t allow a carry of longer than nine against the Rams with Jones manning the middle.

Dodson, who had played 604 snaps, the most on defense, had a 65.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, down from the 90.2 he had last year with the Bills when he finished with the highest grade of any linebacker in the NFL. He had a 52.0 run defense grade, down from 82.6 with the Bills.

Dodson, 26, will now be eligible for any team to claim off of waivers.

Dodson was due to make $2.25 million in base salary this year, and the Seahawks will get out of the rest of that as his salary if he is claimed off waivers was not guaranteed. Dodson was also due $44,705 each week as a roster bonus.

Dodson was also released within reach of some incentives, including $300,000 if he recorded at least three sacks this season. He had two. He also had up to $500,000 in incentives for overall playing time, earning the whole amount if he played at least 65% of the team’s snaps in 2024.

The only guaranteed money in Dodson’s deal was a $1 million signing bonus.

The Seahawks are set to return to the practice field Monday afternoon following their bye and head coach Mike Macdonald will speak to the media afterward.

Shortly after his release, Dodson took to the social media platform X, writing: “12s! I appreciate you so much, thank you for welcoming my family…”

Seattle on Monday also announced it had signed tight end N’Keal Harry to the practice squad to fill the spot created by the signing of Jobe to the 53-man roster.

Harry, 26, was a first-round pick of the Patriots in 2019, taken 32nd overall. But he struggled to create a regular role for himself in three seasons with the Patriots, making 57 catches for 598 yards in 33 games with 19 starts from 2019-21 before being traded to the Bears in 2022.

Harry had seven catches for 116 yards with Chicago in 2022 but has not played in an NFL game since that season. He was released by the Vikings off their practice squad on Oct. 21.

Seattle on Monday also placed safety K’Von Wallace on injured reserve with an ankle injury suffered against the Rams, and filled his spot on the roster by claiming nose tackle Brandon Pili off waivers from the Dolphins. Pili, 25, played at USC from 2017-22 before going undrafted in 2023 and signing with Miami. He played in 12 games, making four tackles, with Miami over the last two years before being waived Saturday.

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