For the Seahawks, it has been the offseason of moving on from long-time players. With the departures of Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, it is a new era for the Seahawks. Even with the old core moved on, it appears one former name wants to “come home.” On an appearance on Trey Wingo’s, Half-Forgotten History, K.J. Wright said just those words when talking about the Seahawks.
Wright continued to say “I think it’s that simple. Seattle knows that I want to come back. They know how much they mean to me. Last year I left, went to Vegas by myself. My family didn’t come with me. I’m not doing that again. I don’t think I’m gonna move my family anywhere else across the country. So if it’s not Seattle, then I’d be happy. I’d be content.”
With K.J. Wright interested, does that mean he is likely to return? During rookie minicamp, Pete Carroll was asked about K.J.’s comments. ESPN’s Brady Henderson has this quote from the coach “I’ve already talked to him about stuff for the future and all that. I did hear that he talked about playing, and we’ve already talked about that.”
How Likely is it Wright Comes Back?
There isn’t much to tell as Pete keeps it vague in his quote. Carroll acknowledged Wright’s interest in returning to play for the team. Last year Seattle moved on from K.J. and the reasons why still exist. Seattle has spent draft capital in recent drafts selecting Cody Barton and Jordyn Brooks.
K.J. Wright said he knew he wasn’t a fit in Seattle’s new defense. In February, K.J. Wright appeared on Seahawks Man 2 Man hosted by Michael-Shawn Dugar and Christopher Kidd. One topic that K.J. Wright talked about in the podcast was Ken Norton Jr. firing by Seattle. Wright spoke about how he was no longer a scheme fit because they were moving more to a 3-4 defense.
With Ken Norton Jr. gone and replaced by Clint Hurtt, Seattle has shown with recent player personnel moves a switch to a 3-4 defense. Wright doesn’t have the skillset of rushing the passer Seattle needs at that position. If Seattle needs inside linebacker help, K.J. Wright played inside linebacker his rookie season. It is unlikely there is a K.J. Wright reunion in Seattle as a player unless injuries occur.
It may be more likely that K.J. is a coach than a player when it comes to the Seahawks. Seattle has a history of taking in the former Seahawk players to be coaches. Just on the coaching staff currently, Aaron Curry, Deshawn Shead, and Will Tukuafu played in Seattle under Pete Carroll. It would be no surprise for Pete Carroll to want K.J. Wright involved with the franchise in some form.
K.J. Wright was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 draft by the Seahawks. After ten years in Seattle, Wright spent one year for the Las Vegas Raiders last season. K.J. Wright will turn 33 years old in July.
Northwest Sports Desk 