K.J. Wright retires with Seahawks
Seaside Joe 1239: At least one contract got done on Wednesday
K.J. Wright played one of the most unforgiving positions, where the work is just as hard as inside linebacker or edge rusher, but the stats are far less noticeable. Here’s what we do know about Wright’s 10 years with the Seahawks:
Fourth all-time in tackles (593)
16th all-time in games played for Seahawks (Joe Nash’s 218 ranks first, followed by Mack Strong, Steve Largent, and Walter Jones)
Third all-time in forced fumbles (tied with Cortez Kennedy and Earl Thomas, but Michael Sinclair’s 25 FF is nine more than second-place Cliff Avril)
Second all-time in assisted tackles (Bobby Wagner is first)
Third all-time in Tackles For a Loss (69 for Michael Bennett, 68 for Wagner, 66 for Wright)
With so much of an emphasis made by fans, media, and teams on first round picks, you would think that Seattle’s day three runs in 2010 and 2011 would be lauded as the most impressive draft haul in the modern era: Kam Chancellor in the fifth round in 2010, K.J. Wright and Richard Sherman in the fourth, fifth rounds in 2011.
Yes, Pete and John did get their appropriate “flowers” at the time, but even more than a decade later, Sherman, Wright, and Chancellor stand as three of the 20-best fourth and fifth round picks since 2010. By weightedAV, they all rank in the top-15 since 2010 for the fourth and fifth rounds:
Wright’s lack of Pro Bowls and All-Pro nods is again, him being a victim of doing the dirty work. Picking up the screens. Cleaning up the leftovers. Giving others opportunities for sacks, interceptions, and pass deflections.
And I can also say that during my few instances of covering the Seahawks in the locker room after a game, K.J. Wright was one of the first and only players to give every media member—including scared nobodies like me—an opportunity to do their jobs, to ask questions, to lead by example. Others, whether it was famously like Marshawn Lynch, or less famously like me being waved off by Justin Britt, do not care to be bothered.
That’s understandable. I could see myself being that guy, at least sometimes. But Wright always brought his best attitude in Seattle and those are the reasons that over 10 years will amount to signing a one-day contract so you can retire with the Seahawks and we can forget that pesky season with the Raiders.
With Chris Carson announcing his retirement on Tuesday, then Wright following on Wednesday, never has “the next era” for the Seahawks been so evident. And of those players who are currently on the roster, nobody represents the next era of the Seahawks more perfectly than DK Metcalf.
Was Wright’s contract signing just a precursor to getting the pens warm for Metcalf?
On Tuesday, I posted a long and detailed explanation for what to expect from the Seahawks and the DK Metcalf contract situation. Would he hold-in, what’s he looking to be paid, why the Seahawks haven’t entertained trade offers, what they could get in trade, and when to expect Metcalf to be extended. This post was for premium Regular Joes subscribers at $5/month, but I’ve decided to remove the paywall on this article because I think there are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings about contracts and negotiations now.
I also want to show those of you who were skeptical if there’s really that much work going on behind the paywall that indeed there is.
So please go read the comprehensive breakdown of the Seahawks-DK Metcalf contract situation and then we’ll find out soon if I’m right or not. Wright signed a one-day contract, I’m only asking you to try out Regular Joes for 29 more days than that if you sign up for one month.
That was really beautiful. A Seahawk through and through and, even more important, just a really great guy. KJ, Wagner, Sherman, Chancellor -- heck, even Thomas. That was a special team and a special time.
Ah man, that’s really touching. I’m glad KJ will always be a Seahawk, and like to think that Bobby can find a way to forgive and do likewise after a season with the dirty effing Rams. The two just seem inseparable to me.
So thanks for the all the memories, KJ. Hope you can find your way onto the staff, coach up the young guns and continue to give up your time for Kenneth when he comes calling.