Pete Carroll finally landed the big-play wide receiver he has been seeking since he arrived to coach the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
Veteran wide receiver Sidney Rice joined the Minnesota-to-Seattle exodus Wednesday, agreeing to a five-year, $41 million deal with the Seahawks, according to a league source.
The 6-foot-4 Rice will earn $18.5 million guaranteed and, with $3 million in Pro Bowl escalators, his contract can grow to $44 million in total value.
Rice's deal comes one day after former Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson agreed to a contract with the Seahawks, who also have ex-Minnesota offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on staff.
Rice, a fifth-year pro, set career highs in receptions (83), yards (1,312) and touchdowns (eight) in 2009 but endured an injury-plagued 2010 season, catching just 17 passes for 280 yards and two TDs while missing 10 games with a hip injury that required major surgery.
Seattle was in the market for a wide receiver last season as well, courting Brandon Marshall before he eventually signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Rice will join a Seahawks receiving corps that includes second-year pro Golden Tate, and veterans Deon Butler, Ben Obomanu and Mike Williams, who had a breakout season in 2010 with 65 catches for 751 yards and two touchdowns.
Exactly who will be throwing passes to Rice and Co. once the season starts isn't clear.
Now that the Seahawks have allowed quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to leave for Tennessee, Jackson will compete with Charlie Whitehurst for Seattle's starting job. Whitehurst completed 57.6 percent of his passes during limited action last season, throwing for 507 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions in six games. Jackson has made 20 career starts, with his most significant playing time coming in 2007 when he started 12 games for the Vikings, throwing for 1,911 yards and nine touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
While Whitehurst is more familiar with his teammates and surroundings, Jackson has more experience in Bevell's offense.
The Seahawks also added offensive lineman Robert Gallery on Wednesday.
