5 Seahawks who could follow new GM Scott Fitterer to Carolina
By Dean Jones
K.J. Wright – OLB
If the Carolina Panthers want to make a bigger splash, then someone like K.J. Wright could be on their radar. The linebacker is a ferocious figure at the top of his game and although he will be 32-years-old next season, there appears to be plenty left in the tank.
Wright has the versatility to play on the outside or on the interior with equal effect. Carolina missed the presence of Luke Kuechly an untold amount in their first campaign following the perennial All-Pro’s retirement and although the former Mississippi State sensation would be a short-term fix over the next two years, it represents a solid option that might just have some mileage.
His inspirational leadership and ferocious hitting from the second level has been just a small part of what Wright has given the Seahawks throughout his career. This has resulted in 941 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 54 passes defended, and six interceptions. Wright is a Super Bowl winner and a Pro Bowler, so this sort of mentality would be a significant asset to have on a young defensive unit.
This might go away somewhat from the current ethos of relying on younger guys – and there is also the matter of salary together with Wright’s actual desire to move away from somewhere he’s called home his whole career. But if there is a mutual interest, then bringing him in isn’t the worst idea in the world by any stretch of the imagination.