The Seattle Seahawks made a somewhat unexpected move this weekend, agreeing to an in-season extension with veteran tight end Eric Saubert. It’s not often you see extensions handed out mid-December, especially for a player who’s barely seen the field due to injury. But this one speaks volumes about how Seattle views Saubert’s value - not just what he brings on game day, but what he offers in the trenches and behind the scenes.
Saubert, who joined the Seahawks in the offseason, has been sidelined since Week 7 with a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve. In the seven games he’s played this season, his stat line is modest - just one catch for 12 yards.
But that’s never really been his calling card. Saubert’s game is built on blocking, setting edges, and doing the dirty work that doesn’t show up in fantasy lineups but matters in real football.
Before landing in Seattle, Saubert spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, where he carved out a similar role. He played in 35% of the offensive snaps in 2024, a clear sign that he was trusted to be on the field when physicality was required.
That stint also gave him a connection to the Kubiak family - he worked under Klay Kubiak in San Francisco, the brother of current Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. That familiarity likely played a role in Seattle’s decision to bring him aboard in the first place and now to extend his stay.
Saubert’s NFL journey has been the definition of a grinder’s path. A fifth-round pick out of Drake back in 2017, he’s bounced around the league, suiting up for several teams and carving out a niche as a reliable, blue-collar tight end. His most productive season came in 2022 with the Denver Broncos, where he posted 15 catches for 148 yards and six touchdowns - numbers that show he can contribute in the passing game when called upon, even if that’s not his primary role.
Now 31, Saubert was just activated off IR this week and is officially listed as questionable for Seattle’s upcoming matchup against the Colts. With rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo heading to IR, Saubert’s return could be timely. Even if he’s not catching passes, having a veteran presence who understands the blocking schemes and brings physicality to the run game can be a stabilizing force - especially for a team still fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
This extension might not make headlines across the league, but it’s a classic Seahawks move: rewarding a player who fits their culture and fills a very specific, very valuable role. If Saubert is healthy enough to suit up this weekend, don’t be surprised to see him quietly helping this offense do the little things right - the kind of things that win December football games.