The team announced that K.J. Wright signed a ceremonial one-day contract to retire from the team.
Wright's retirement ends an 11-year playing career that included 10 seasons as a starter on the famed Seattle defense that helped lead the team through its most successful stretch in franchise history, which included a victory in Super Bowl XII and a near repeat the following year.
They've been intent on going with younger players in the middle of their defense, despite the fact that Wright only wanted to play a 12th NFL season if it was with the Seahawks.
Wright will end his career in the same place it started in 2011. He rose from a fourth-round pick to a key part of the Legion of Boom defense. After the 2016 season, Wright will become the third player on the franchise's all-time tackles list.
Wright was overcome with emotion as he signed his one-day contract after his retirement was announced.
They were the best inside linebacker duo in the last decade. Wright made another move to the strong side early in the 2020 season and played some of the best football of his career at age 31, but wasn't re-signed as the Seahawks decided to go younger at inside LB.
The Raiders signed Wright to a one-year deal last season. He stated on the "Half-Forgotten History" that he wanted to return to his hometown and play for the Seahawks. He didn't want to move his wife and three children from their Seattle-area home or be away from them again, even though he was in Las Vegas last year.
With the youth movement continuing, there was no on-field reunion for the team.
In 161 regular-season games, Wright finished his career with 962 tackles, 13.5 sacks and six turnovers. He's third in franchise history in tackles with 934, behind Eugene Robinson and Wagner.
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