Jordan Hill Seattle Seahawks Career Overview
Jordan Hill was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the 26th overall pick, out of Penn State. He played defensive tackle for the Seahawks from 2013 through 2016, appearing in 52 regular season games and starting 27 of them. Hill was part of the Seahawks defensive rotation behind starters such as Michael Bennett and Jarran Reed during his tenure. His base salary increased each season under his rookie contract, which included standard escalators and roster bonuses. He was released by Seattle in September 2017 after missing significant time with injuries. More details on his draft selection and early career can be found on the official NFL Draft page at https://www.nfl.com/.
During his four seasons with the Seahawks, Jordan Hill earned a total of approximately 11.5 million dollars in base salary, including guaranteed money from his rookie deal. His 2013 base salary was 510,000 dollars, rising to 1.3 million in 2014, 2.1 million in 2015, and 3.1 million in 2016. His contract included a fifth-year option that Seattle exercised in 2016, adding a guaranteed salary of roughly 6.5 million for that season. Hill also received workout bonuses and per-game roster bonuses that contributed to his total compensation. The Seahawks placed him on injured reserve in 2016 and 2017, which affected his playing time and salary proration. Additional contract structure details are available on Spotrac at https://www.spotrac.com/.
Jordan Hill Seattle Seahawks Financial Impact
Contract Structure and Cap Hits
Jordan Hill's rookie contract with the Seattle Seahawks followed the standard four-year rookie deal with a fifth-year option. The base values were structured with a modest signing bonus and annual base salaries that increased under the rookie wage scale. His cap hits ranged from roughly 700,000 dollars in his first year to over 3 million in his final contract season. The Seahawks absorbed dead money when they released him in 2017, as the remaining guaranteed salary was accelerated into the cap. This release allowed Seattle to clear cap space while managing injury risk on the defensive line. NFL salary cap rules and rookie contract structures are explained by resources such as OverTheCap at https://overthecap.com/.
Post-Seahawks Earnings and Career
After leaving the Seattle Seahawks, Jordan Hill signed with the New York Jets in 2018, where he played in 13 games with 3 starts and earned a base salary of 1.5 million. He later signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was placed on injured reserve and did not appear in a regular season game. His combined career earnings across the NFL totaled roughly 14 million dollars in base salary over seven seasons. Hill did not record a Pro Bowl selection or a major award during his career. His financial trajectory reflects the typical earnings curve for a mid-tier first-round defensive tackle in the NFL.
Jordan Hill Seattle Seahawks Legacy and Context
Jordan Hill was drafted to bolster the Seattle Seahawks defensive line depth during a period when the team was building a championship-caliber roster. He was part of the Seahawks' defensive unit that ranked among the top five in the NFL in points allowed during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Although injuries limited his contributions, his presence provided rotational support behind established starters. The Seahawks continued to invest in defensive line talent after his departure, signing players such as