K.J. Wright says Bobby Wagner, Seahawks close on contract extension

The big question entering Seahawks training camp is when All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner will get a contract extension that ensures he will be with the team past the 2019 season.

Who is the No. 1 most intriguing Seahawks player in 2019?

According to Wagner’s longtime running mate at linebacker, K.J. Wright, that shouldn’t be a question for much longer.

Wright joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock and Salk live at team headquarters in Renton ahead of Thursday’s first practice, and he said that the Seahawks and Wagner, who is representing himself in negotiations, are just down to hammering out some details.

“It’s just little things in a contract that you have to figure out before you can be like, OK, both sides are happy,” Wright said.

When the contract is signed, Wright said people may be surprised by how well Wagner does for himself.

“You will see when the deal gets done, you’ll be like, OK, he knows what he’s doing,” Wright said about Wagner acting as his own agent. “He’s not going in there blind. Obviously he’s done his homework, done his research, and he has a good team around him. But what he’s doing is impressive.

“I know I couldn’t do it.”

Here are few more highlights from Wright’s interview.

Response to Earl Thomas’ comments

Former Seahawks star safety Earl Thomas is getting ready for his first season with the Baltimore Ravens after leaving Seattle in free agency, and he had a rather notable last moment in a Seahawks uniform. That’s because after suffering a season-ending fractured leg in Arizona last season, he flipped off coach Pete Carroll seemingly due to the fact that Seattle had denied to sign him to an extension past the 2018 season.

Thomas said Wednesday he has no regrets about making the gesture towards Carroll. On Thursday, Wright shared his thoughts on Thomas and the exits of other notable Seahawks players in recent years, including Richard Sherman.

“It was gonna be hard regardless because those guys gave so much to this franchise,” Wright said. “The thing was, Pete loved those guys. Don’t get it wrong – Pete loved Earl, Pete loved Sherm, but like most guys it comes to an end. That’s the nature of the business, and some guys take it harder than others.”

Wright’s goals for the 2019 season

“First thing’s first, I want to get back to the old K.J. because K.J. never missed games. … Over 100 tackles, obviously. I gotta score a touchdown this year. I told Bobby if I don’t score a touchdown this year then I’m done – I don’t even want to play anymore. … I gotta get in the end zone this year.”

Listen to the full interview with Wright in the player embedded below or download a podcast version at this link.

Seahawks training camp preview: Wagner, Wright and the linebackers

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