Seahawks LB Jordyn Brooks talks facing Russell Wilson, new role on D

The Seahawks have new faces and leaders across the roster as they enter the 2022 season after an eventful offseason.

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Gone are franchise icons Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, both of whom were not only stars for the Seahawks since being drafted in 2012 but perennial captains and leaders, as well.

With Wagner no longer in the middle of Seattle’s defense, it will be up to third-year linebacker Jordyn Brooks, the Seahawks’ first-round pick in 2020, to step up and help lead the charge. Brooks slides over from outside linebacker to an inside backer role not only because of Wagner’s departure but because the Seahawks are now playing a 3-4 defense.

Brooks played a decent bit as a rookie, but he really stepped up his game last year in his second NFL season with K.J. Wright departing for Las Vegas. Brooks started and played in all 17 games for Seattle, setting a franchise record for tackles in a single season with 184, which was second in the NFL. His 109 solo tackles led the league.

The Texas Tech product may not be a Seahawks defensive captain – those honors went to safety Quandre Diggs and defensive tackle Al Woods – but Brooks has a major leadership role as he takes over as the “green dot” for the defense, meaning his helmet is wired to receive play calls from defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt.

So what is that like for Brooks? And what will Week 1 be like with the Seahawks taking on Wilson and the Denver Broncos? Brooks talked about that when he joined Stacy Rost and former Seahawks players Michael Bumpus and Dave Wyman on Thursday during The Huddle on Seattle Sports 710 AM, which airs Thursdays from 12 to 2 p.m. live from the Seahawks’ practice facility.

“Just a little anxious, excitement more than anything,” Brooks said when asked how he’s feeling heading into Monday’s clash with Wilson and the Broncos.

What about the team as a whole?

“I would say a sense of urgency. I think everybody knows what it is Monday night, first game of the season,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, we know what we’ve got ahead of us. So I think it’s a sense of urgency and the excitement,as well.”

Brooks was Wilson’s Seahawks teammate the last two years and went up against the Pro Bowl quarterback regularly in practice. What’s his mindset heading into their Week 1 matchup?

“I think we just treat it like any other team,” Brooks said. “Can’t get too caught up in all the hype stuff. Just treat it like any other game. That’s been the preparation for me as well as the guys.”

“Obviously we had Russ here. We know what he’s capable of,” Brooks added. “We know the things that he likes to do. The game plan is to just go out there and win and do everything we can to stop him and the rest of the (Broncos) offense.”

The Green Dot

What’s it like for Brooks being the defensive play caller on the field for the Seahawks?

“I mean, it’s nothing new for me,” he said. “Maybe at this level, but I’ve done it in high school, done it in college. It’s like kind of getting back to the old way of things for me … It’s been pretty cool being able to communicate and getting everybody lined up.”

Brooks did share that Hurtt, a first-year defensive coordinator, has some work to do when it comes to his microphone etiquette.

“Hearing Coach Hurtt in the huddle sometimes, he likes to breathe on the walkie-talkie. Sometimes I’ve got to tell him to back up,” Brooks said, laughing. ” … I’ve gotta tell him, ‘Hey, you’ve got to back up from the headset. You’re too loud in my ear.'”

Listen to the first hour of The Huddle at this link or in the player below.

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