Center Patrick Lewis has been given a restricted free agent tender by the Seattle Seahawks, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
Lewis replaced Drew Nowak as the Seahawks starting center midway through last season. Lewis’ play helped solidify an offensive line that had allowed Russell Wilson to be sacked 31 times in the first eight games of the season.
After Lewis was inserted at center, Seattle’s offense managed to explode the second half of the season. Wilson passed for a franchise record 4,024 yards on the season and had a five-game stretch with 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Seahawks averaged 34 points per game over that stretch.
Being undrafted out of college, the $1.671 million tender gives the Seahawks right-of-first-refusal on any contract offer sheet signed by Lewis in free agency.
Lewis has played in 16 games for Seattle over the past two seasons with 13 starts.