Latest On LB K.J. Wright
K.J. Wright is still looking for his next NFL gig, and the veteran linebacker continues to hint that he could end up back with the Seahawks.
“Yes, there is a chance,” Wright said during an appearance on SiriusXM Radio (via Twitter). “There is a chance, and I’m not closing the door on Seattle. Going into free agency, I thought it’d be a no-brainer, but they’re going to wait until training camp, so we’ll see. No matter what happens, my career in Seattle was just unforgettable”
This isn’t the first time the 10-year veteran has suggested re-signing with the Seahawks, but the organization has continued to keep their distance as they pivot to their youth. The organization wants their top 2020 draft picks, Jordyn Brooks and Darrell Taylor, to become starters next to Bobby Wagner, who’s currently the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball ‘backer. Considering the date, it’s unlikely Wright would command a pricey contract, but there’s no clear role for him on the current squad.
On the flip side, the two camps have agreed to three contracts since Wright joined Seattle as a fourth-round pick in 2011, and he’s earned a Super Bowl ring and a Pro Bowl nod during his decade with the organization. The soon-to-be 32-year-old also continued producing in 2020, finishing with 86 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks in 16 starts. It’s unlikely his career is over.
If Wright doesn’t land back in Seattle, it sounds like he’s ready to contribute to his next team. The veteran cited his versatility as a reason for why he’d fit in with practically any team.
“For me, I believe that it’s what a team wants from me,” Wright said. “I know what I provide to a team, I know that coming off my two best seasons after I suffered a knee injury – had my two best years, played phenomenal, switched positions…I know that I can go into a training camp, pick up the playbook, nice and easy…[and] go out to perform in any position that want me at.”
Russell Wilson On Relationship With Seahawks, Pete Carroll
Russell Wilson‘s reported trade request caused a stir earlier this year. But, according to the Seahawks quarterback, that talk was overstated. 
[RELATED: Wilson Was Willing To Rework Deal]
“I think it was definitely blown out of proportion in terms of the moment and what it became, which was a little unfortunate,” Wilson told Dan Patrick (via the New York Post). “More than anything else, you know what I care about? I care about winning, and that’s what I wanna do. So I just put my cleats on everyday — that’s always been my focus, that’s always been my goal, is to win it all and just to continue to do that and try to do everything we can.”
Wilson, 32, doesn’t deny sending a list of potential destinations to the Seahawks. However, he’s made it clear that he never demanded a trade, whether it be to the Bears, Cowboys, Saints, or Raiders. Since then, he’s patched things up with team brass, including head coach Pete Carroll. Now, they’re relationship is better than ever, says the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
“I think me and Pete have gotten closer,” said Wilson. “Pete and I have always had a great bond but I think we got to have a great heart to heart. He’s got goals, I’ve got goals and we want to do great things. To actually really dive into those and really talk about those missions, those goals, it was fun. I think me and coach Carroll’s relationship is stronger than ever and I think that’s the best part about it and my teammates.”
“I think anytime in sports there’s a potential of being traded. I think there’s always a real opportunity of that. But I think I’ve always wanted to be in Seattle. I’ve always loved being there and it’s the place I’ve always wanted to play, so it’s been great.”
2021 Cap Space For All 32 NFL Teams
There are still plenty of quality free agents left on the board as we look ahead to training camp. Cornerback Steven Nelson, tackle Russell Okung, and longtime Legion of Boom leader Richard Sherman headline the list, along with accomplished edge rushers like Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Olivier Vernon. That list will only grow larger, of course, as more teams shed veterans to redirect their funds elsewhere.
With that in mind, here’s a look at every NFL team’s cap situation, starting with the league-leading Jaguars:
- Jacksonville Jaguars — $32.7MM
- Denver Broncos — $28.9MM
- New York Jets — $28.5MM
- Cleveland Browns — $20.6MM
- Los Angeles Chargers — $19.9MM
- Detroit Lions — $17.9MM
- San Francisco 49ers — $17.8MM
- Cincinnati Bengals — $17.4MM
- Washington Football Team — $16.7MM
- Indianapolis Colts— $14.3MM
- Carolina Panthers— $14.3MM
- Minnesota Vikings — $13.5MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers — $13.1MM
- New England Patriots — $13.1MM
- New Orleans Saints — $11.4MM
- Arizona Cardinals — $11.3MM
- Buffalo Bills — $10.5MM
- Baltimore Ravens — $8.8MM
- Atlanta Falcons — $8.6MM
- Seattle Seahawks — $8.3MM
- Tennessee Titans — $8.3MM
- Kansas City Chiefs — $7.9MM
- Los Angeles Rams — $7MM
- Chicago Bears — $6MM
- Dallas Cowboys — $6MM
- Miami Dolphins — $5.3MM
- Green Bay Packers — $5MM
- Houston Texans — $5MM
- Las Vegas Raiders — $3.3MM
- Philadelphia Eagles — $3.2MM
- New York Giants — $2.4MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — $489K
Latest On Richard Sherman
We heard at the beginning of June that Richard Sherman might wait until training camp to sign with a team. Well, training camps are right around the corner, but Sherman is still unsigned.
The free agent is keeping his options open apparently, and is still considering a return to the Seahawks. “I’m told that this is not off the table, that Sherman is still open to returning to” Seattle, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported recently, via Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report. Fowler notes that Sherman still has a house in Seattle, and that “most people” around the league “think he’d like to still play on the West Coast.”
Sherman has been talking with the Seahawks for months now, but nothing has gotten done. One reason for the possible delay could be the ongoing negotiations between Seattle and safety Jamal Adams, which we just passed along an update on as well.
Fowler says the team “needs to figure out the Adams money allocation before they take resources elsewhere.” He adds that Sherman is “not going to take the minimum,” and would “need a decent contract” if he’s going to return to play for Pete Carroll again.
The Stanford product turned 33 back in March and missed 11 games due to injury last year, but has remained effective when on the field. Sherman has also been linked to the Saints a bunch this offseason, and has had on and off talks about going back to the 49ers for another season.
Latest On Seahawks, Jamal Adams
It was reported almost a month ago that a Jamal Adams extension with the Seahawks could be imminent, and that something was likely to get done around the start of training camp. That apparently might not longer be the case.
Negotiations between Adams’ camp and the Seahawks have been “slow-going”, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on SportsCenter recently, via Corbin K. Smith of SI.com. Fowler said that it’s “a situation that could bleed through training camp, even possibly close to Week 1,” according to NBC Sports Edge. Adams is apparently “willing to bet on himself,” and Seattle understands that.
We heard recently that Adams wasn’t just looking to become the league’s highest-paid safety, he was looking to enter a tier of his own. The sixth overall pick of the 2017 draft reportedly wants to be treated like his own unique position and not be grouped in with other safeties on the market.
Given his historic pass-rushing production from the safety position, it’s understandable. Meanwhile, John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle writes that it’s “pretty clear” the two sides “are not close to a contract extension.” Clayton thinks Adams’ deal “should come in” around $16MM a year, but that if he wants $17-18MM, that “would be a problem for the Seahawks.”
The former LSU and Jets star has some leverage here, since the Seahawks gave up two first-round picks to trade for him last July. It would be a very bad look for the franchise if they weren’t able to lock him up long-term. With training camp rapidly approaching, we should hear a lot more soon.
Adams Wants Deal Well North Of Safety Range?
- One factor complicating the Seahawks‘ Jamal Adams talks: the Pro Bowl safety wanting not only to become the highest-paid player at the position but seeking to end up on his own financial tier. Adams does not want to be viewed as a pure safety, and thus be confined to the position’s salary range, Corry adds. Adams does not rate as a top-tier coverage safety, but he is a historically productive pass rusher for the position and is used in myriad capacities. With Seattle having traded two first-rounders for him, a deal is expected to come to fruition soon.
This Date In Transactions History: Seahawks Extend Cortez Kennedy
Although the Seahawks’ apex occurred during the 2010s, the franchise has a few Hall of Famers whose careers wrapped up before Pete Carroll‘s arrival. One of them signed his final (and most lucrative) extension on July 8, 1998.
Twenty-three years ago today, the Seahawks reached an agreement to retain Cortez Kennedy. A perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Kennedy agreed to a three-year deal worth $17MM. Kennedy’s third Seattle contract contained a $6MM signing bonus and marked a raise from his previous accord.
The Seahawks’ first Kennedy extension took place in the initial year of the free agency era (1993). That four-year, $12.6MM pact put the dominant D-lineman on track for free agency after the 1998 season. But the Seahawks worked proactively to prevent a Kennedy free agency bid, and the summer ’98 extension allowed him to play his entire career in Seattle.
Part of the Miami Hurricanes’ 1980s dominance, Kennedy came to Seattle as the No. 3 overall pick in 1990. The Seahawks held two top-10 choices that year and sent both to the Patriots to move into the top three for Kennedy. He rewarded the move.
Although the then-AFC West franchise hit a rough patch, with its issues finding a quarterback at the epicenter of what became 10-season playoff drought, Kennedy more than delivered. The interior pass rusher ripped off a dominant stretch that crested with a 14-sack 1992 season. Despite the Seahawks finishing 2-14 that year, Kennedy earned Defensive Player of the Year acclaim.
Kennedy made every Pro Bowl from 1991-96 and booked his final two Hawaii trips over the course of his July 1998 extension. (Kennedy’s eight Pro Bowls rank second in Seahawks history, behind fellow Hall of Famer Walter Jones‘ nine.) After an injury-marred 1997, Kennedy returned to play in 47 of a possible 48 games during his final three seasons. His lone playoff appearance also occurred during this stretch, with a Jon Kitna-quarterbacked Seattle team winning the AFC West title in 1999. Kennedy recorded 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss that year.
After the Seahawks released Kennedy in March 2001 — three days following the signing of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle — the 11-year veteran called it a career. Although Kennedy and Randle were never teammates in Seattle, they were voted as the two first-team defensive tackles on the 1990s’ All-Decade team. Only Randle accumulated more sacks among D-tackles during the ’90s. Kennedy finished his career with 58 QB takedowns and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Latest On Seahawks, Aldon Smith
After attempting to trade for Aldon Smith ahead of last year’s deadline, the Seahawks signed him in April. The talented pass rusher, however, has not enjoyed a smooth offseason in Seattle.
In addition to being booked on a battery charge less than a week after agreeing to terms with the Seahawks, Smith did not participate in Seattle’s offseason program. The 31-year-old defensive end did not view himself as being in sufficient shape to participate, and Brady Henderson of ESPN.com notes the Seahawks gave him permission to skip minicamp. Smith has not been arraigned for the incident in New Orleans.
Given the off-field issues that sidetracked Smith’s career during his time with the 49ers and Raiders, the minicamp absence — excused or not — should not provide a good sign regarding the embattled pass rusher’s status with his new team. The former All-Pro edge defender should not be considered a lock to make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster, with Henderson adding the Seahawks view Smith as a luxury rather than a player they will count on this season.
Smith signed a one-year deal worth $1.12MM, with just $137K guaranteed, and his contract came during an offseason in which the Seahawks were busy on their defensive front. Seattle re-signed Carlos Dunlap and Benson Mayowa and added Kerry Hyder after his productive 49ers season. The team also has former first-round pick L.J. Collier at defensive end. While Smith’s ceiling may still be higher than some of his new D-line teammates’, a rocky offseason may well work against him.
Smith did play 16 games with the Cowboys last season, recording five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, and started throughout despite missing four full seasons due to a suspension. But his status with the Seahawks will be worth monitoring during the leadup to the regular season.
Former Seahawks UDFA Tamorrion Terry Indicted On Felony Murder Charge
We heard yesterday that the Seahawks cut wideout Tamorrion Terry, and we’re now learning the startling details that led to the transaction. Per court records obtained by the Miami Herald’s Adam H. Beasley, the former FSU receiver was among 11 defendants named in a grand jury indictment regarding the killing of a 21-year-old woman in 2018.
In June of 2018, a gang-related shooting took place at a nightclub in Ashburn, Georgia, leading to at least seven people getting shot. One of those seven individuals was the murder victim, and the 11 defendants have each been charged with with “felony murder, a charge applicable when a death, even accidental, occurs in the commission of a felony” (per Beasley).
ESPN’s David Hale writes that Terry is expected to turn himself in to authorities. The 23-year-old had reportedly cooperated throughout the investigation, and his camp is confident that he’ll ultimately be cleared.
The shooting took place the summer before Terry’s redshirt season at FSU. He ended up having a standout collegiate career at Florida State, hauling in 118 receptions for 2,221 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was known for his speed and YAC-prowess, holding an FSU record for most touchdowns of 70+ yards (five). His nine touchdowns of 50+ yards was tied for the second-highest ACC mark in more than a decade.
Terry joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, but the wideout was limited at minicamp and OTAs with a hip injury. It was a bit of a surprise when the receiver wasn’t cut with an injury designation, but today’s developments obviously provided an explanation. The Seahawks clearly moved quickly when they learned of the indictment.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/30/21
Today’s minor NFL transaction(s), which we’ll keep updated throughout the night:
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: WR Tamorrion Terry
Terry had a standout collegiate career at Florida State, hauling in 118 receptions for 2,221 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was known for his speed and YAC-prowess, holding an FSU record for most touchdowns of 70+ yards (five). His nine touchdowns of 50+ yards was tied for the second-highest ACC mark in more than a decade.
Terry joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, but the wideout was limited at minicamp and OTAs with a hip injury. For what it’s worth, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets that the receiver wasn’t waived with an injury designation.