According to a league source, the Seattle Seahawks have signed linebacker David Hawthorne to a one-year contract extension.

Hawthorne's extension, which was signed on November 27, is worth $1.38 million and included a $350,000 signing bonus along with an increase of his $470,000 base salary as an exclusive rights free agent to $696,667 for the final six weeks of the regular season.

Overall, Hawthorne will earn $550,000 in base salary this season.

In 2011, Hawthorne has a $900,000 base salary and $50,000 in per game roster bonuses. ($3,125 per game)

After posting 12 special teams tackles as a rookie free agent out of TCU in 2008, Hawthorne started 11 games at middle linebacker for an injured Lofa Tatupu during the 2009 season. Hawthorne led the Seahawks in tackles (117) last season, adding 4 quarterback sacks and tying for the team lead with three interceptions.

Hawthorne has replaced the injured Leroy Hill as the starting weak-side linebacker this season, and currently has a team-high 66 tackles. Over the last four games, Hawthorne has 39 tackles and an interception.

With three accrued seasons, Hawthorne would likely be ineligible for unrestricted free agency during the 2011 off-season. Under the collective bargaining agreement, which is set to expire on March 3, a one-year restricted free agent tender for Hawthorne would be worth between $1.2 million (right of first refusal) and $3.317 million (1st and 3rd round draft choice compensation).