How Have Departing Seahawks Stars Performed With New Teams?
It has been a turbulent offseason to say the least for the Seahawks, who parted ways with two of their most iconic players in quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner before the start of the new league year.
Ushering in a new era after the most successful decade in franchise history, Seattle traded Wilson to Denver for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, and a trio of veteran players. Hours later, reports surfaced indicating the team would release Wagner outright and after he hit the market, he eventually signed a five-year deal to join the Rams. On the heels of these moves, no players remain on the roster from the franchise’s last two Super Bowl teams.
With the Broncos scheduled to play at Lumen Field and the Rams obviously playing two interdivisional games against the Seahawks, fans will have to see Wilson and Wagner donning different uniforms at their old stomping grounds in 2022. But as 12s know all too well, this won’t be the first or the last time a star player comes back to town sporting new threads.
Since general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll arrived in 2010, Seattle’s brain trust has made several difficult roster choices moving on from beloved stars with All-Pro and/or Pro Bowl pedigree. How have those players performed in their new surroundings after they departed?
Before Wilson and Wagner add their names to this not-so-welcome list, here’s a look back at eight former Seahawks who achieved stardom with the franchise before continuing their respective careers elsewhere.
Once a key cog in the emergence of the “Legion of Boom,” injuries and suspensions slowed Browner down in his final two seasons with the Seahawks after being named a Pro Bowler in 2011. Limited to just nine games during the team’s Super Bowl-winning 2013 campaign, he signed a three-year, $17 million contract with the Patriots. Once he returned from suspension, he became a starter in New England’s secondary, eventually helping his new team topple his former employer in Super Bowl XLIX. He would play one more subpar season in New Orleans and didn’t make Seattle’s roster out of training camp in 2016 before his career came to a close.
Despite being only a few years removed from a First-Team All-Pro selection, after battling injuries and being limited to six games in 2014, the Seahawks sent Unger and a first-round pick to the Saints to acquire tight end Jimmy Graham. While Graham made a pair of Pro Bowls in his three seasons in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle struggled to find a viable replacement for Unger, who brought stability to New Orleans’ offensive line over the next four seasons. He ended his career on a strong note, making his third and final Pro Bowl while helping the Saints to a 13-3 record in 2018. Meanwhile, the Seahawks continue to search for a long-term center option all these years later.
About The Author
Leave a Reply