Report: Jermaine Kearse says he doesn’t plan to return to Seahawks

A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday suggests it’s highly unlikely that wide receiver Jermaine Kearse returns to the Seahawks. In fact, taken at face value, Kearse’s comments to Schefter indicate that he’s decided he won’t.

From Schefter: “Seahawks WR Jermaine Kearse reiterated Thursday that he does not plan to return to Seattle and is looking forward to finding a new home.”

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Kearse is one of seven Seahawks starters who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. He told Schefter after the season that he doesn’t intend to give the Seahawks a so-called hometown discount, meaning he won’t accept an offer from Seattle that’s worth any less than what he could make elsewhere.

Free agency doesn’t begin until next week, which means Kearse’s agent has not yet been allowed to begin negotiations – at least legally – with any other teams. He has been able to negotiate with the Seahawks, however. Kearse’s comment to Schefter suggests that he’s seeking – and believes he can get – more money on the open market than whatever offer Seattle may have already made.

Kearse just finished his fourth season with Seattle, which signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Washington in 2012. His 49 receptions, 685 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season all established career highs. He owns the franchise record for postseason touchdown catches after scoring twice in Seattle’s divisional-round loss to Carolina, during which he also caught 11 passes for 110 yards.

Kearse, who just turned 26, is from Lakewood, Wash.

“I love my hometown, but I’ve put in too much hard work to give a discount,” he told Schefter in January. “My number one priority is to take care of my family’s future, so I will consider all opportunities.”