It’s “As the World Turns” regarding the Seattle Seahawks.
This is a big week of OTAs for the Seahawks, with the team holding four offseason practice sessions, including two open to the media. However, this year OTAs have been less about what’s happening on the practice field and more about what’s happening in the locker room.
It all stems from an ESPN the Magazine article published May 25 that chronicles the alleged discord within the Seahawks’ locker room. The article, which centers on star cornerback Richard Sherman, points to several locker room issues, including a rift between the offense and defense, as well as feelings that quarterback Russell Wilson receives special protection from the coaching staff. The story suggests the discord is preventing Seattle from being everything it can be as a team.
This all tracks back to a 2016 season in which Sherman in particular was often the center of controversy. Sherman had two public blow-ups on the sideline during games, then had an incident with a local reporter that resulted in Sherman shutting out the entire local media. Then this offseason’s headlines were dominated by rumors of Sherman potentially being traded.
Sherman was quick to dismiss the story:
@RSherman_25 to @SiriusXMNFL: "Its just a bunch of nonsense from "anonymous" sources. Can never put much gravity of things like that"
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) May 25, 2017
Then there was this from teammate Michael Bennett:
https://t.co/oyFZxuSLHx @espn @ESPNNFL this article is trash and should be on tmz it's all gossip I'm Surprised this came from you
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 25, 2017
But then there was also this:
.@TheGeeScott tells @ClaytonESPN that Seahawks players have read the ESPN Sherman story and not one has refuted it to him.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) May 26, 2017
Last week Seattle held its first OTA open to the media, giving reporters their first chance to ask Seahawks coach Pete Carroll about the story. Carroll answered by saying it was old news and that everything is great in the locker room.
So there’s disagreement regarding the veracity of the story.
Even if there is discord, there’s questions about whether it’s actually hurting the Seahawks’ performance. Seattle has been one of the league’s elite franchises the past five seasons, going 56-23-1, reaching at least the divisional round of the playoffs every year and winning Super Bowl XLVIII. The Seahawks remain one of the odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl again in the coming season.
So what’s your opinion on the alleged strife within the Seahawks locker room?
POLL: What's your take on the alleged discord within the Seahawks' locker room? Full context here: https://t.co/QJikyphvnG
— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) June 5, 2017
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