The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a deal with Tarvaris Jackson following the news that free-agent quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will not return to Seattle this season, multiple sources told ESPN.

Hasselbeck will turn 36 in September. His prior contract was signed before the start of the 2005 season and was followed by him leading the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl appearance.

According to the sources, Jackson's deal is for $8 million over two years, an indication he was brought in to compete for the starting job. His contract matches that of current Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract after being acquired in a trade before last season.

Jackson, Minnesota's second-round pick in 2006, would appear to have an edge in the competition because he has played for current Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell when they were both a part of the Vikings.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks are also interested in adding Matt Leinart to compete with Jackson and Whitehurst.

Leinart could reunite with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, his college coach at USC. Leinart's career has hit a low point after the Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the first round in 2006. The Cardinals released Leinart during the preseason last August and he spent 2010 as a backup with the Houston Texans.

Sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that Leinart was gauging other options Tuesday that include the Washington Redskins. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan graded the left-handed Leinart highly before the 2006 draft when Shanahan was the Broncos' coach.

Whitehurst was one of the first Seahawks to arrive at their training facility on Tuesday morning after catching a late flight back to the Northwest and not getting to his apartment until about 1 a.m. Still, he was driving through the gates of Seahawks headquarters shortly after 8 a.m. ready to pick up his playbook.

"You're more experienced; it goes for all of us. There were a bunch of new guys this past season," Whitehurst said. "I think everybody is probably feeling pretty confident about this season."

Instead of Whitehurst battling Hasselbeck for the starting job, it'll be Jackson. Later in the day, after learning the reports of Hasselbeck's departure, Whitehurst seemed to realize his chance.

"It's as good an opportunity as I'm going to get and I'm looking forward to it," he said.

Jackson's arrival ends an era in Seattle.

Hasselbeck, a three-time Pro Bowl player, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 draft and was traded to the Seahawks in 2001.

According to sources, Hasselbeck has talked to the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers, among other teams, since the lockout ended.