SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks and starting outside linebacker Leroy Hill have reached agreement on six-year contract worth a guaranteed $15.5 million.

The deal could potentially be worth $38 million.

Hill became a free agent last weekend after the team dropped its franchise tag on him and Hill refused to sign an $8.3 million tender offer.

The Seahawks said in a news release Thursday evening only that the team and Hill had "agreed to terms to a multiyear deal." The dollar figures were confirmed by a person close to the situation who requested anonymity because the terms were not made public.

Hill and the Seahawks were held up for days over contract language provisions related to any possible league discipline Hill may face from an offseason arrest in January in Georgia for misdemeanor marijuana possession.