RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks have locked up centre Max Unger beyond this season after signing the anchor of Seattle's offensive line to a multiyear contract extension Wednesday, just days before the start of training camp.
Unger, who was a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2009, was entering the final year of his initial rookie contract and was due to become a free agent after the season.
Terms of Unger's deal were not released.
"Pete (Carroll) and I are excited to lock up a young core leader on our offence," Seattle general manager John Schneider said in a statement. "Max's consistent and professional approach to his job transcends the locker room and the huddle."
Unger has started all 32 games he's played in his NFL career. Unger started his entire rookie season in 2009, but missed most of the 2010 season with a toe injury. Last year, he started 15 games at centre as part of an offensive line that improved throughout the season and led the way for running back Marshawn Lynch to have the finest season of his career. Unger's signing also means Seattle's presumptive starting offensive line is all locked up through at least the 2013 season.
Seattle is expected to begin the season with Unger at centre, John Moffitt and Paul McQuistan at guards, and Breno Giacomini and Russell Okung at the tackles.
"I am very happy about this new deal," Unger said. "We have a developing young line that had some success last year that we can build upon this season. It's a good deal for the both of us and I couldn't be happier to be in Seattle."
