KIRKLAND — The Seahawks welcomed back two of their own free agents to the team Wednesday, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and wide receiver Peter Warrick.
Bernard was one of the more sought-after free agents in this year's pool after his 8 ˝-sack performance in 2005. He took a visit to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week before deciding to remain a Seahawk, which he had said he wanted to do the day the Seahawks parted ways after the Super Bowl.
Bernard, a fifth-year defensive tackle known for his "Shakedown" sack celebration, agreed to a three-year contract to remain in Seattle, his agent said.
The deal is for $13 million, including a $5.4 million signing bonus. It's a significant bump in pay for Bernard, who made $656,000 under the restricted-free-agent tender last season.
He met with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week, but the Seahawks outbid them to retain Bernard, who was second on the Seahawks in sacks last season.
Just days after the Super Bowl, Bernard said he hoped to come back to the Seahawks. Bernard, Chuck Darby, Marcus Tubbs and the emerging Craig Terrill give the Seahawks good depth and talent at defensive tackle.
Seattle is also considering whether to sign defensive tackle Russell Davis, who visited team headquarters Tuesday.
Warrick, who enters his seventh pro season, is returning to the Seahawks under a one-year, $1 million contract, according to ESPN.com.
Getting Warrick back became important after Seattle lost Joe Jurevicius to the Cleveland Browns. Warrick signed with the Seahawks just before last season and played a limited role as a receiver and punt returner. The former first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals had 11 catches for 180 yards in 13 regular-season games.
Neither contract should greatly affect the Seahawks' ability to re-sign other players and attract free agents, even if the team decides to match the seven-year, $49 million offer sheet left guard Steve Hutchinson signed with the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.
Keeping Hutchinson, in addition to Bernard and Warrick, would leave Seattle with between $7 million and $8 million in salary-cap room.
Comings and goings
The Seahawks said goodbye to New York Jets defensive end John Abraham on Wednesday afternoon. They had Abraham in for a free-agent visit along with his two agents, Tony Agnone and Rich Rosa.
Talks went well, but Abraham figures to continue his tour of suitors, with the Oakland Raiders and Atlanta Falcons next up for the Pro Bowl sack specialist.
Meanwhile, two players with local roots are home for visits with the Seahawks.
Safety Lawyer Milloy, a former University of Washington player from Tacoma, was at team headquarters Wednesday. Playing in his hometown for a Super Bowl contender is important to Milloy, his agent said, even though Milloy has drawn interest from other teams.
Milloy, 32, has been to four Pro Bowls in 10 seasons. He had 106 tackles for the Buffalo Bills last season.
Wide receiver Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent from the Minnesota Vikings, will be in Kirkland today. Signing the O'Dea High School grad would cost the Seahawks a third-round pick, which might not be too high a price since Seattle has one of the last picks in that round of this year's draft.
Burleson's best pro season was his second, in 2004, when he caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns.
Seattle also expects to have linebacker Julian Peterson from the San Francisco 49ers in for a visit today. Peterson, 27, is regarded as an impact defender with the ability to line up as a linebacker, safety or rush end.
The six-year pro, who is a two-time Pro Bowl player, could be a good fit with the Seahawks' young and versatile defense. Seattle is his first free-agent visit. He also plans to visit the Miami Dolphins.
Finally, Seattle tight end Ryan Hannam was in Miami for a free-agent visit Wednesday, then will meet with the Dallas Cowboys on Friday.
No complaint
The Seahawks aren't likely to pursue tampering charges against the Green Bay Packers after Green Bay signed former Seahawks free safety Marquand Manuel last weekend.
A report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week said Manuel would sign with the Packers once free agency began. Manuel's agent denied the report, telling The Seattle Times such a deal would be considered tampering because Manuel was still under contract to the Seahawks.
Manuel signed the day after free agency began, for the same terms as the Journal Sentinel reported.
José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com
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