After being one of the NFL’s best iron men, playing in all 64 games from 2014-2017, Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin suffered through a frustrating, injury-riddled season in 2018.
He only missed three games, but Baldwin battled injuries throughout, only managing 50 receptions for 618 yards and five touchdowns. The 618 yards were his lowest total since 2012, when he wasn’t a full-time starter.
The injuries haven’t let up for the 30-year-old receiver, who has already undergone two offseason surgeries, and sounds set to have a third surgery related to a sports hernia.
While the injuries aren’t expected to prevent Baldwin from being physically ready for training camp and the 2019 season, it could have a much longer impact on him mentally – at least according to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo.
Garafolo’s stance may be slightly vague here, but it does at least imply that Baldwin could consider hanging up his cleats if he feels like the surgeries have taken too much of a toll on his body.
Ever the competitor, Baldwin also has shown tremendous interest in things outside of football, including a potential career in politics. With many of his closest teammates elsewhere, including Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman, Baldwin could be on his way out as well.
Of course, Baldwin still has time left on his contract, and he has yet to make any public statement indicating that walking away is in any way on his mind.
Assuming his body recovers from the surgeries there’s no reason he can’t come back and play at a high level again in 2019.
