D.J. Hackett signs with Panthers

D.J. Hackett began last season as a starting wide receiver in Seattle.

He'll be starting next season with a new team after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, his agent confirmed.

The deal totals about $3.5 million, though the Seahawks remained a consideration for Hackett.

"They had interest and they maintained their interest," said Kevin Robinson, Hackett's agent.

Instead of bringing Hackett back, Seattle will open up opportunities for some of its younger receivers like Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor. Logan Payne spent most of last season on the practice squad and will also be a consideration.

Hackett was a fifth-round pick by the Seahawks in 2004. He worked his way up the depth chart the past four seasons.

Hackett became a starter after Darrell Jackson was traded, but suffered a high ankle sprain on his first reception of 2007. He missed the next six games, returned in Week 9 at Cleveland and played in four games before reinjuring the ankle. He played in six regular-season games last season, plus two playoff games.

Seahawks president Tim Ruskell indicated before free agency began that it would be important for Hackett to see his value on the open market, and the first week of free agency showed that there wasn't a team willing to pay Hackett like a No. 1 receiver.

Hackett went two weeks before taking his first free-agent visit, which was to Washington. He also went to Tampa Bay and finally Carolina.

The Seahawks have already invested a great deal of money in their receivers, giving up a third-round pick to sign Nate Burleson as a free agent in 2006 and trading a first-round pick for the privilege of signing Deion Branch to a $39 million contract.

Yet Bobby Engram was the Seahawks' leading receiver last season when he caught 94 passes. Burleson caught 50 passes, nine for touchdowns. Branch is recovering from knee surgery, and he might not be ready to practice when training camp opens.

The Seahawks also parted ways with defensive lineman Ellis Wyms, who will leave Seattle after agreeing to a one-year contract with Minnesota on Monday.

Wyms was signed by Seattle in September 2007 after he was let go by Tampa Bay. He is the second defensive lineman to leave Seattle in free agency. Defensive tackle Chuck Darby already left for Detroit.

Hackett and Wyms are the fifth and sixth Seahawks to sign elsewhere as free agents this offseason. Kicker Josh Brown went to St. Louis and backup linebackers Niko Koutouvides (Denver) and Kevin Bentley (Houston) have also left.

Seattle has signed four free agents.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com