2022 Seahawks are a success to me

Matt Baide | Dec 29, 20220

I looked back on the year that was for Seattle sports teams in my previous column, but this time, I want to focus on one team: the Seahawks.

What a year it has been for the Seahawks. From winning their final regular season game in January against the Arizona Cardinals, to one of the craziest and most controversial off seasons in my lifetime. If you were living under a rock or aren't a huge sports fan, in March, the Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson, who was the quarterback since he was drafted in 2012 and helped the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl title.

Seattle traded Wilson for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick and quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

At the time of the trade, I was sad, because it was a player that meant so much to the recent history of the franchise. But at the same time, I was also fine with the trade for a few reasons. The biggest reason is it was clear Wilson wanted to leave, and I have been in a few relationships in my life where the person I was with did not want to be together anymore.

Of course, it is going to hurt, but I have learned through life experience that trying to hold onto something when the other side doesn't want to, it is foolish to try to save something that cannot be saved. It is only going to hurt more if you don't see reality and try to move on from it.

The play of Wilson during the 2021-22 season was also a reason why I was fine with the trade. He hurt his finger in a game against the Rams early in the season, and he was supposed to be out about six to eight weeks to be fully recovered. Wilson went through all the necessary medical procedures, and he was cleared to play in a month. He came back in a cold game against the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field, and it was clear that while he was medically cleared to play, he was not 100% and should not have come back as quickly as he did.

His desire to get back so quickly from injury and play arguably cost the team some games, and in a sport that has 52 other players who are counting on you to be at your best, taking the time to heal is more important than rushing back from injury.

After the trade, a lot of Seahawks fans, myself included, that thought this would be a down year for the Seahawks. I predicted they would be 6-11 this season, and they are sitting at 7-8 with a chance to make the playoffs. It is incredible to see fans be so wrong and be happy about being wrong.

The Seahawks have two games left in the season, at home against the Jets and Rams. Seahawks win their final two games, get a little bit of help, they'll make the playoffs.

Expectations differ among people on what constitutes a successful season for their sports teams. I have always been of the mindset that if a team I root for makes the playoffs, it is successful, because the team is playing games that are not regularly scheduled, which also means you are one of the better teams in the league. I think the Seahawks season has already been a success due to the lack of winning expectations most people had going into the season but making the playoffs would make it that much better, just like the 2022 Seattle Mariners.

I was lucky to cover a Seahawks game on the field in 2018 when the Seahawks faced the Rams, the year Jared Goff and Todd Gurley helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl, only to fall to the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. I will never forget being on the field the entire game, something I got to cross off my bucket list, even though the Seahawks lost the game. Just like I was grateful for that experience, I am also grateful for this season. Because it feels great to win, but it makes it even better when you're proving other people wrong, including yourself.