Right guard D.J. Fluker announced via his Twitter account on Sunday that he has been released by the Seahawks after two seasons with the team.
Fluker had one year remaining on the two-year deal he signed with the team last offseason.
"Dear 12s,
"I was released by the Seahawks today. Couple of things: I am not upset, or hurt. This is a business and one that I’ve been in for a while. I want to thank John and Pete for their very thoughtful calls.
"Stay safe, be kind and I love y’all.
"Thank you, Seattle."
Fluker started 23 of 24 games played for Seattle over the last two years. His release will save Seattle just shy of $3.7 million against the salary cap for the 2020 season, per OverTheCap.com.
The selection of LSU guard Damien Lewis in the third round of the NFL Draft this weekend helped give Seattle the flexibility to move forward without Fluker. Even before the move was made with Fluker, head coach Pete Carroll said Friday night that Lewis was expected to come in and compete with Fluker right away for the starting job this year.
"He won’t take a back seat to anybody," Carroll said. "He’s going to come in here and battle for it. We feel really good. That’s really part of the reason why we took him. We want him to come in here and battle to play. All of that competition will make us better."
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 02: D.J. Fluker #78 of the Seattle Seahawks during pre-game warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)