Door Open For K.J. Wright Seahawks Return?

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.

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