Tag: KJ Wright

KJ Wright posts farewell to Seahawks and 12s on Instagram

Wright posted a farewell to Seahawks fans on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for his time and memories in the blue and green.

After months of speculation, linebacker KJ Wright signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, ending his decade-long tenure in Seattle.

Wright posted a farewell to Seahawks fans on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for his time and memories in the blue and green.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTV96ihlu1z/

 

Although Bobby Wagner was the more visible linebacker over the past eight years, Wright made significant contributions during his time with the Seahawks and assisted the team in achieving their first championship in Super Bowl XLVIII. With Wright’s departure, Wagner and Russell Wilson are now the only remaining members of the original Legion of Boom (2012-2014) era.

Wright ends his Seahawks career with 941 combined tackles (593 solo), 54 pass deflections, 13.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and six interceptions, as well as a reputation as a beloved member of the organization among the 12s.

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Raiders to ‘perhaps find another’ LB with Nicholas Morrow, Javin White both ‘out for a while’

Raiders to ‘perhaps find another’ LB with Nicholas Morrow, Javin White both ‘out for a while’

Following the Raiders’ second preseason game, head coach Jon Gruden said the foot injury to Nicholas Morrow suffered in Thursday’s scrimmage with the Rams was a “concern.” Meanwhile, the Raiders had just watched fellow linebacker Javin White get hauled off the field on a cart with what looked to be a very serious injury.

Today, Gruden delivered an update on both linebackers that could be seen as bad news overall, especially for Morrow.

“They’re both going to be out for a while,” Gruden said of the timetable for White and Morrow. “Looks like Morrow will be out a little bit longer than White. So, that’s unfortunate. But we’ll have to continue to develop our young linebackers and perhaps find another.”

The first linebacker that comes to mind when considering finding another is former Seahawks LB KJ Wright. The one-time Pro Bowler worked under Gus Bradley in Seattle and visited the Raiders earlier this month, but has yet to decide where to sign. Money is usually a key point here and perhaps these injuries will have the Raiders upping their offer.

Also visiting the Raiders recently was veteran Mark Barron. The 31-year-old hasn’t played since 2019, spending much of last season the the Broncos injured reserve. He would figure to be a much cheaper option, but probably not as good of an option as Wright.

Raiders host veteran LB KJ Wright on free-agent visit

Raiders host veteran LB KJ Wright on free-agent visit

We have now officially reached the aged former great NFL players portion of the program. Wednesday it was the team signing former Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy and today the Raiders are meeting with longtime Seahawks LB KJ Wright according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Wright has been a mainstay at linebacker for the Seahawks for the last ten years. The first two years of his career he had Gus Bradley as his defensive coordinator.

Wright just turned 32 years of age and with camps about a week in across the league, it’s time to try and get in one.

What it means for the Raiders’ linebacker corps that they are looking out Wright is hard to say. Currently, the expected starters for the Raiders are Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski, and Nicholas Morrow. Wright is an inside linebacker and Morrow has been handling those assignments lately due in part to his familiarity with Bradley’s scheme. Well, Wright is quite familiar with it as well, hence the interest.

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Seahawks Ben Burr-Kirven heads into 2021 with uncertainty but optimism

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven said that he will head into the 2021 season with the mindset that he will be a starter.

Surrounded by veteran stud linebacker Bobby Wagner and young up-and-comer Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven heads into the 2021 season with uncertainty.

Most of Burr-Kirven’s playing time has been on special teams. However, he is treating this offseason like he will be a starter on the field in September.

“I think you still approach it like you are going to be a starter,’’ Burr-Kirven said. “And that’s what everybody has to do because the reality of the game we play is you’re always one play away from being in the game. I think that’s the only way to do it. If you have that mindset that ‘Oh, I’m a backup’ then you are not going to prepare the way you need to.’’

Indeed, injuries are common in the NFL, and players must always be prepared to be thrust into action even when they least expect it.

Burr-Kirven expressed his reverence for Wagner and former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright, stating that they showed him what it takes to excel at the professional level beyond the basics.

“Everybody knows how to play football if you make it this far,” he continued. “You know how to study tape and all that. But there is so much from the recovery aspect, time management. Having Bobby and K.J. when I came in kind of opened my eyes to know there is so much more to being a football player than coming out and practicing hard and watching film.’’

Burr-Kirven will likely spend most of his third year in the NFL on special teams, but he could see the field on defense more frequently if complications arise.

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K.J. Wright on possibility of returning to Seattle: ‘There is a chance’

Former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright joined SiriusXM NFL Radio and said that he has not ruled out a return to Seattle for the 2021 season.

K.J. Wright has been without a team since his contract with the Seattle Seahawks expired in March earlier this year. After months of silence, the free-agent linebacker finally spoke up on the possibility of returning to Seattle for his 11th season in the NFL.

Wright told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he anticipated re-signing with the Seahawks right away, but they did not offer a deal to his liking early on. However, he has not ruled out a return to the Emerald City for 2021.

“Yes, there is a chance,” Wright said. “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.”

Earlier in the offseason, Wright scoffed at the prospect of taking a discount to stay in Seattle. However, it seems that no team has offered him the kind of contract he wants, so he may have to settle for something less. He also previously expressed his desire for a multi-year contract from the Seahawks.

However, the veteran linebacker stated that no matter where he ends up this year, he remembers his decade in Seattle fondly and hopes he will be remembered by the organization the same way.

“No matter what happens, my career in Seattle was just unforgettable,” he said. “Ten years… had a lot of fun, got a Super Bowl, got a Pro Bowl, Seahawks Man of The Year. I did a lot of good stuff in that jersey. And so hopefully, one day, they put me up in the Ring of Honor. We’ll see.”

Despite being one of the less visible members of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom era, Wright certainly contributed and accomplished a lot in the blue and green and was particularly excellent in the past two seasons, playing and starting in every game and racking up 218 combined tackles (127 solo), four interceptions, and 21 passes defended in that time span.

“But yeah, no matter what happens, just playing with Bobby and the Legion of Boom, those guys, that’s going to be historical,” Wright said. “And I’m just thankful that I could be part of it. So we’ll see if I go back to Seattle, that’d be nice. If not, you know, I’m forever thankful.”

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ESPN predicts Rams to sign LB K.J. Wright to 1-year deal

The Rams could still use linebacker help and veteran K.J. Wright is still available.

For the most part, we know who the Rams’ primary starters will be at just about every position on offense and defense.

What we don’t know is who the starting inside linebackers will be. It’ll come down to a battle between Micah Kiser, Ernest Jones, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder, Kenny Young and possibly even Derrick Moncrief and Christian Rozeboom. It’s a position group that could use some more help, but the Rams seem comfortable with the guys they currently have.

If they were to look at outside options, former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright would make a lot of sense. Bill Barnwell of ESPN predicted landing spots for several players – both via trade and in free agency – and he pegged Wright to the Rams on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

Sherman’s former teammate played well last year in Seattle, but the market for veteran off-the-ball linebackers is typically bleak, and Wright has been one of the players squeezed. The Seahawks have talked about bringing Wright back, but coach Pete Carroll could also be ready to insert 2020 first-rounder Jordyn Brooks into the lineup as Wright’s replacement. Wright said he wouldn’t take a hometown discount to stay with the Seahawks, but he’s probably looking at a short-term deal in the $3 million range.

Just as Sherman used the opportunity of leaving Seattle to sign with a division rival in San Francisco, what about Wright making a move to Los Angeles? The Rams basically have a void at linebacker as a product of their cap issues and heavy spending elsewhere on the defensive side of the ball. Wright would step in on the weak side as an immediate starter, possibly alongside rookie third-rounder Ernest Jones.

Despite being almost 32 years old, Wright is still a good linebacker who can make an impact for whichever team he signs with. He started 16 games in each of the last two seasons and finished last year with 11 tackles for a loss – second-most in his career. He also had two sacks, one interception and broke up 10 passes, which were also the second-most of his career.

As a weakside linebacker, he provides value in coverage and leader in the second level. At $2.5 million, the Rams should consider signing Wright if their current linebackers fail to impress during OTAs or if an injury were to occur. With $7.2 million in cap space, they have the funds to sign Wright, too.

Seahawks’ K.J. Wright awarded Male Seattle Sports Star of the Year

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright was awarded the Male Seattle Sports Star of the Year Award from the Seattle Sports Commission.

On Saturday, Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright received the Male Sports Star of the Year Award from the Seattle Sports Commission.

Wright had a stellar 2020 season, accumulating 86 tackles (60 solo), 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, 10 passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 16 games and 16 starts.

In addition to his consistency on the field, Wright has been an active member in the community during his decade-long career with the Seahawks, and fans took notice.

“This award, it’s truly an honor,” Wright said. “It’s an award the fans voted for—I’ve always tried to be a staple in the community, on and off the field, and to be recognized with this award is amazing. I’ve always watched the show—I’ve never been—but I’ve always watched it and seen some of my teammates be a part of it, and I thought it’d be cool to be part of it someday. So I’m really excited.”

The veteran linebacker reflected on his accomplishments in the blue and green and expressed hope that he will stay in Seattle for the 2021 season.

“It’s meant everything,” he said. “I believe I put together a Ring-of-Honor resume with my play, how I’ve helped in the community, helped bring the team a Super Bowl. The legacy is pretty cool. I’m thankful for every play that I’ve played, and I definitely want to come back and finish it and get a ring. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Wright previously stated that he wishes to be compensated properly following one of his best seasons to date. We’ll see what happens when free agency rolls around.

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K.J. Wright has eye-catching exchange with Seahawks fan on Twitter

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright had an interesting exchange with a fan on Twitter, one that could raise more than a few eyebrows.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright continues to make heads turn this offseason as everyone anticipates free agency next month. After publicly stating he would not take a hometown discount to stay in Seattle and that he believes Russell Wilson will not be leaving the team this offseason, he had a rather interesting exchange with a fan on Twitter.

The fan praised Wright and stated that in the event he leaves the Emerald City, he would root for him as a player as long as he joined any team except the San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks’ arch-rival. The veteran linebacker replied with the following:

This may have been a joke, or it may have implied that Wright has an interest in joining the red and gold next season.

According to Overthecap.com, San Francisco currently possesses over $13 million in cap space, so they could reasonably sign Wright if he is interested, especially if they free up some more somehow.

However, as Wright has made abundantly clear, the team he joins in free agency will largely depend on how much money he will receive from them, so it’s up in the air at this point.

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K.J. Wright seeks multi-year contract with Seahawks this offseason

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright stated on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he is seeking a multi-year contract with the team this offseason.

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Linebacker K.J. Wright made waves recently when he appeared on The Jim Rome Show and said that he will not take a discount to re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.  Wright stated that he and other players must be compensated for their positive contributions.

Wright then took to the airwaves on SiriusXM NFL Radio and said that he is seeking “a multi-year” contract, but that negotiations have been “nonexistent” thus far.

Seattle will have to create cap space to keep some of its key players, including Wright. The veteran linebacker was correct when he said that he has contributed significantly to the Seahawks defense over the years.

Although he is now 31 years old, Wright holds an adamant belief that his play did not decline last season.

The Seahawks will have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. We will see how this particular situation plays out in March.

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6 Seahawks make Pro Football Focus’ top free agent list of 2021

In the wake of the 2020 season, six Seattle Seahawks players made Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 151 free agents of 2021.

NFL free agency is gradually coming into view, so teams will have plenty of decisions to make, including the Seattle Seahawks.

Six of Seattle’s impending free agents made Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 151 free agents of 2021. They are cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Quinton Dunbar, running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde, linebacker KJ Wright, and wide receiver David Moore.

Griffin and Dunbar achieved the highest ranks with No. 37 and No. 53, respectively. Carson followed closely behind at No. 58, while Wright clocked in at No. 66. Finally, Hyde and Moore achieved No. 121 and No. 123, respectively.

The Seahawks are strapped for cap space in 2021 and will certainly not keep all of these players, but they have to be thinking about having the most crucial ones in their plans for the immediate future as they strive to contend for a Super Bowl.

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