Seahawks lose mainstay Brandon Mebane to San Diego

A third-round pick in 2007, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane was Seattle's longest-tenured player. (AP)

The longest-tenured Seahawk is now an ex-Seahawk as defensive tackle Brandon Mebane has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with San Diego.

The Chargers announced the deal about 90 minutes after the start of the signing period on Wednesday, the first day of NFL free agency.

Mebane, 31, was a third-round pick in 2007 and one of only two players along with punter Jon Ryan who predated the 2010 arrivals of coach Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

Mebane’s departure to San Diego comes on the heels of the Seahawks re-signing Ahtyba Rubin, their other starting defensive tackle. The three-year, $12 million deal Seattle gave Rubin didn’t necessarily preclude the Seahawks from re-signing Mebane, but it may have made it less of a neccessity in their eyes to do so.

Mebane is the second defensive starter Seattle has lost in free agency, following linebacker Bruce Irvin’s departure to Oakland.