K.J. Wright entered last season as the Seahawks’ longest-tenured player, but the team’s first-round Jordyn Brooks selection clouded Wright’s Seattle future. The 10-year veteran remains a free agent nearly three months since the 2021 league year began.
Probably the top off-ball linebacker still available, the veteran defender has seen some doors close in free agency. While it should be expected Wright will receive a chance before or during training camp, Pete Carroll indicated the accomplished outside linebacker could still be an option for the Seahawks, via John Boyle of Seahawks.com.
Although Carroll said the team is still finetuning its roster, the 12th-year Seahawks HC cautioned no signing should be expected to take place at least until the team goes through minicamp. Teams annually turn to the free agent market between minicamp and training camp, after viewing roster deficiencies during the offseason program. Wright would stand to help many teams, with Pro Football Focus slotting him as a top-10 off-ball ‘backer in 2020.
Wright, 32, said prior to free agency’s outset he would welcome the opportunity to finish his career in Seattle but added he was not prepared to take a hometown discount. At this point in the offseason, however, Wright will probably have to bring down his asking price. The news of the 2022 cap ceiling being $208MM should serve as a bonus for vets hoping to cash in, but teams have used most of their 2021 budgets by June. The Seahawks are also not expected to spend much between now and training camp. It may take a key injury for Wright to cash in on the level he did two years ago (two years, $14MM), and even that scenario likely will not produce a contract worth that much.
The sides have agreed to three contracts — Wright’s rookie deal, a four-year extension in 2014 and the most recent deal at the start of the 2019 free agency period — but the Brooks pick gave the team both the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball ‘backer (Bobby Wagner) and a first-round investment in the position. The Seahawks do not appear to be the most likely destination for Wright.
This is the type of player, Raiders should be all over.
They have mostly undrafted linebackers, under 30.
A vet like Wright could really help that group.
Slow news day? This isn’t a story worthy of a headline. We’ve known this for two months now. Literally ever detail in this story is weeks if not months old.
Brooks may one day be the player K. J. Wright is, but as of this moment he is not. Wright is and has been one of the best outside 4-3 style linebackers in the league since coming in. With that said, I don’t get his insistence to hold out for money. At his age, Wright is not getting another big money deal. If he were, it’d have happened by now. A return to Seattle is likely his best option, as it is for the Seahawks.
Brooks still has yet to learn pass coverage skills, while his athleticism allows him to rack up run stops. Wright has likely a couple of good years left, and in that time Brooks should develop into the player needed to replace him (and while athletic backers are essential in Seattle’s defense, their ability to cover the pass is paramount). As for Wright, he’ll not likely get a much better offer than whatever Seattle can give. I could be wrong, of course, but it seems to me that it’s not worth moving to a new city and team for a low level one or two year contract.
Training camp injuries can change things. He may still get more than Seattle is able to give.
Injuries will open up the bed of suitors, yes, but the money will not increase. No team will pay a premium for a one year deal to cover for an injured starter. Seattle did not re-sign Wright for financial reasons. They still have the most willingness to pay more, I believe, or Wright would taken another offer by now.