K.J. Wright: Why ‘new energy’ Seahawks can ‘get close’ to playoffs

The Seahawks enter the 2022 season in a very different spot than usual when it comes to outside expectations of the team.

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With star quarterback Russell Wilson and perennial All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner on different teams for the first time in their careers, many think the Seahawks will take a dramatic step back this upcoming season. For instance, CBSSports.com ranks the Seahawks as the second-worst team in the league entering Week 1.

But one longtime NFL linebacker doesn’t see the Seahawks being as bad as people think. In fact, he thinks Seattle could be in the playoff conversation this season.

That former linebacker is K.J. Wright, a Seahawks legend who retired this offseason. He’s now a member of Seattle Sports, hosting The K.J. Wright Show every Wednesday at 8 a.m. with Brock and Salk.

The K.J. Wright Show joins Seattle Sports’ weekly Seahawks coverage

During the first installment of The K.J. Wright Show, Wright shared his expectations for the Seahawks in 2022.

“I believe they are capable of getting close to making the playoffs,” he said. “And everyone is calling me crazy. ‘K.J., what are you thinking?’ I truly believe there is a new energy in that building, there’s a new sense of urgency in that building, and a lot of guys in that building have a lot to prove.”

Additionally, Wright thinks outside noise can help this team in terms of mentality.

“If I’m in that building and you’re telling me I’m gonna suck and win five games, I’m gonna prove you wrong,” he said.

So what is it Wright likes about the 2022 Seahawks? He said that it’s simple: Look at the entirety of the roster.

“I like what I see with the roster. You’ve got two really great receivers on the outside,” Wright said, referencing DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. “You have a running back I’m looking forward to (seeing in Rashaad) Penny. I need Penny to do what he did at the end of (last) season in the beginning of the season. I don’t care about those 400 yards he got with three games left. I need you to do that early in the season, so hopefully Penny does do that.”

But what about on Wright’s former side of the football?

“And you look at the defense, I believe that the secondary is really, really good from playmaking and from a leadership standpoint,” he said. “So I think they’re going to be A-OK. Eight wins, maybe get close (to a playoff spot). Call me crazy but I think it can happen.”

Listen to the full debut edition of The K.J. Wright Show at this link or in the player below.

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