The Seattle Seahawks have reached an agreement to bring star linebacker K.J. Wright back for two more seasons. The contract is worth up to $15.5 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Wright, 29, is coming off a injury-riddled 2018 campaign that saw the former Pro Bowl linebacker only play in five games. He was replaced by a combination of Austin Calitro, Shaquem Griffin and free agent pickup, Mychal Kendricks, who Seattle has also re-signed to a new deal.
The Seahawks are known to be in money-saving mode, and the return of all three linebackers led many to believe that Wright had played his final game with Seattle. However, the team remained deep in talks with Wright about a return and the linebacking corps will now remain intact.
Wright has spent his entire career in Seattle after joining the team as a fourth-round pick in 2011. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2016 and his 480 solo tackles ranks ninth in team history – one more than Earl Thomas.
“The right thing to do will be to bring him back,” fellow linebacker Bobby Wagner commented after Seattle’s playoff loss to Dallas. “He’s been an amazing teammate, amazing person in the community. He helps young guys. Never held out. Did everything right. Sounds to me like a guy that you should pay.”
If Wright remains healthy and Kendricks is able to avoid jail time, the Seahawks will have a formidable linebacker group during the 2019 season.
