Steve Largent (Betty Udesen/The Seattle Times)
For a team that has experienced a fair bit of success, the Seattle Seahawks haven’t had an abundance of great skill position players. The Seahawks have had some great defensive backs and that is reflected in this list. Some of the greatest players in the history of the franchise are relatively unknown compared to players found on other teams’ top 10 lists. It doesn’t mean, however, they are any less great. The best known of the Seahawks; Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos a couple of seasons back.
10 a. Shaun Alexander
Alexander gets the nod over Curt Warner who actually had three All-Pro seasons compared to Alexander’s one. Shaun gets the nod, in part, by scoring 27 rushing TDS in 2005. He added another TD receiving that year. Shaun also led the NFL with 14 rushing TDs in 2001. His rushing line for his eight years in Seattle was 2176 carries, good for 9429 yards and 100 TDs. Alexander also led the NFL in rushing with 1880 yards in 2005. In all, Alexander had five seasons with over 1000 yards rushing with the Seahawks. He was also named to the Pro Bowl three times. In addition, he was the NFL’s MVP for the 2005 season and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All 2000s second team.
10. Steve Hutchinson
Before Steve Hutchinson went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings, he made an impact with the Seahawks. Hutchinson spent five years in Seattle and was named to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during that time. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference All 2000s first team. The Seahawks had a potent ground game during the early 2000s, and Hutchinson was one of the reasons why.
9: Bobby Wagner
Wagner spent 11 productive years in Seattle, being named to nine Pro Bowls. Wagner led the NFL in tackles three times. While with the Seahawks, Wagner racked up 27 sacks to go with 11 interceptions and six forced fumbles, as well as 11 fumble recoveries. At the age of 34, Wagner is spearheading the Commanders’ defense.
8. Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman was such a good cornerback his play almost matched his mouth. Almost. Still, he was an outstanding performer for the Seahawks. In seven seasons in Seattle, Sherman was named to four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. He accounted for 32 interceptions, five forced fumbles, and five recovered fumbles. Sherman peaked in 2014 when he was named #7 on the list of the NFL’s top 100 players for that season. Sherman was a key member of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl winner.
7. Kenny Easley
Before the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom, there was Kenny Easley. Though Easley played only seven seasons for the Seahawks, he crammed a lot of accomplishments into those seven seasons. From 1983–85 Easley was named to both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams. Kenny was named to five Pro Bowl teams in all. He was also the NFL’s 1984 Defensive Player of the Year. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also named him to their first team All 2000s team. In all, Easley was named to five Pro Bowls. He picked off 32 passes as a Seahawk, leading the NFL in 1984 with 10 picks. Easley returned two of those for TDs. He had three interception returns for TDs during his career. He also recovered 11 fumbles. All in all, Kenny had a great run with the Seahawks.
6. Earl Thomas
Speaking of great safeties, here’s another one. Thomas spent nine seasons in Seattle, being named to the Pro Bowl six times and All-Pro three times. Along with Richard Sherman, he formed the backbone of the Seahawks Legion of Boom. Earl picked off 28 passes, forced 11 fumbles, and recovered five in his days as a Seahawk. Like Richard Sherman, Thomas was an important cog in the Seahawks championship squad.
5. Jacob Green
Jacob spent 12 seasons rushing opposing passers for the Seahawks. He picked up 97.5 sacks for his efforts. Green had five seasons with 12.5 sacks or more, peaking with 16 in 1983. Jacob also recovered 17 fumbles. Surprisingly, Jacob was named to only two Pro Bowls, but consistently good production counts for something. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1980.
4. Steve Largent
Largent is kind of a hero for everyman. He wasn’t particularly big or fast but carved out a great career. In 14 seasons in Seattle, Largent’s stat line was 819 receptions good for 13,089 yards and 100 TDs. He also ran for another TD. Steve was invited to seven Pro Bowls and made one All-Pro team. Largent was named to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference All 80s first team. Largent gave fans of the early Seahawks teams something to cheer about.
3. Cortez Kennedy
From 1990–2000 Cortez anchored the Seattle defensive line. Kennedy racked up 58 sacks during that time, including a high of 14 during the 1992 season. Cortez was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and three All-Pro teams. In 1992 Cortez was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Kennedy also made the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference first-team All 2000s team. Cortez intercepted three passes, forced 11 fumbles, and recovered six. Cortez even managed to return a recovered fumble for a TD.
2. Walter Jones
While Walter isn’t the most well-known of the Seahawks, he’s number two on this list. Walter held down the Seahawks’ offensive left tackle position during most of his 12-year career in Seattle. He was good enough to be named to the Pro Bowl a whopping nine times and All-Pro four times. Like Cortez Kennedy, Jones was named to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football reference first-team All 2000s team. The Seahawks were fortunate to have Kennedy and Jones providing a foundation for their lines during the 2000s.
1. Russell Wilson
Wilson is a guy I initially underrated. His mobility and big-play ability made him one of the most dynamic players in the NFL. Wilson’s record as the Seahawks’ starting QB was 104–53–1. Russell was the Seahawks QB for 10 seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl nine times. His career passer rating is 101.8. He also ran for 4689 yards and 23 TDs. In addition, his improvisational skills are some of the best in the NFL. Wilson did lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, though it should have been two.
That’s my list, what does yours look like?
