The Seahawks brought the band back together this offseason, re-signing a pair of pass rushers who used to call Seattle home in Benson Mayowa and Bruce Irvin.
Irvin made it clear just how happy he is to be back with the Seahawks after spending the last four years elsewhere – calling his return “refreshing”.
“At this stage of my career, I felt like going back home with Seattle, I consider it my home, that was the best thing that could happen to me, especially in year nine,” Irvin told local Seattle media on Tuesday. “I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
Irvin originally joined the Seahawks as the team’s first round pick in the famous 2012 draft, which also netted the Seahawks Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson – but was widely panned as a failure by draft pundits at the time.
He was with Seattle until 2016, and has been in Oakland, Atlanta and Carolina over the past four seasons.
Irvin was excellent last year with the Panthers, posting a career-high 8.5 sacks in just 13 games. His return to the Seahawks gives them a formidable pass rusher and outside linebacker, and it allows Irvin to reunite with former teammates and coaches – including defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr, who Irvin has a lot of respect for.
“Norton is a guy that I consider not only as my coach but as a father figure,” Irvin continued. “The guy took me to Oakland with him, and also he played a major role in bringing me back to Seattle.”
While Irvin said he had some other options this offseason, he made it clear just how badly he wanted to be back with the Seahawks, a feeling he had long before free agency officially opened in March.
“After the Philly game (Seattle’s Week 12 win over the Eagles) I sent Bobby a text message while they was on the plane, I was like ‘damn I wish I was on that plane with y’all'” Irvin continued. “I just wanted to come back man.”
Irvin is back home now, and he gives this Seattle squad a veteran pass rusher who is familiar with the defense and who can come in and immediately contribute, something they sorely need after a disappointing season getting to the quarterback in 2019.
