Report: Seahawks plan to release Leon Washington
Mar 12, 2013, 12:28 PM | Updated: 1:32 pm
By Brady Henderson
It appears the acquisition of Percy Harvin will, in fact, cost Leon Washington his job.
Washington tweeted his goodbyes Tuesday minutes before ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks are planning on releasing the Pro Bowl kick returner.
“Seattle It’s Been Awesome A Ride, Got Nothing Bad 2 Say About The Gr8 NW #12thMan StandUp!!! Like always… #LetsGetIt,” Washington tweeted.
Washington, 30, spent three seasons with the Seahawks, who acquired him in a draft-day trade with the Jets in 2010. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2012 after returning one kickoff for a score and averaging a career-high 29 yards per return, but the Seahawks apparently felt he was expendable after trading for Harvin a day earlier.
Harvin has returned kickoffs for the Vikings. He averaged nearly 36 yards per return last season and has five career touchdowns on kickoff returns.
Washington had two years remaining on a four-year extension he signed following his first season in Seattle, when he ran three kickoffs back for scores and revived a career that had been jeopardized by a gruesome leg injury the year before. Washington was scheduled to earn $1.5 million in base salary next season and was due a $1 million roster bonus.
