Seahawks Sunday roundup: Earl Thomas flipped and Doug Baldwin could retire

There is no real offseason in the NFL. Here is some of the news surrounding your Seattle Seahawks for the week ending Marsh 23rd.

Good morning, Seahawks fans! Hopefully you had an excellent week last week and will have an even better one in the coming days. We are in the period of time between most of the impact free agents already being signed and the NFL Draft in late April. Still there is news to read about.

Earl Thomas with the flip of the century

Earl Thomas, former Seahawks safety, held out last offseason, came back to play to start the season and then was injured in week four and was lost for the year. While being carted off the field against the Cardinals, Thomas famously gave the middle finger to the Seattle sideline.

Thomas clarified this week, according to Football in America’s Peter King, that he was directing the gesture at Seattle coach Pete Carroll. Thomas said

"I was in a battle with the team, and I chose to play, and I was betting on myself. So when it happened, it just added to my frustration. I did what I did, and I saw Pete Carroll, and I just was like, ‘You won. You won.’ Just a very disappointing day."

Interesting phrase with Thomas saying he “chose to play.” I wonder what the rest of us working stiffs’ bosses were tell us if we showed up to work and said, “I wasn’t really wanting to be here but I chose to come in.” Must be nice to be a football star, one who clearly feels entitled.

Doug Baldwin thinks about retirement

Seattle’s excellent receiver, Doug Baldwin, will have had multiple surgeries this offseason by the time next season begins. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Baldwin might be considering retirement after so many injuries in the last year alone.

Seattle is currently still looking for a solid option for their third receiver. Losing Baldwin would hurt the offense immensely. If Baldwin were to retire, it would save Seattle money by saving cap space, but the team on the field would be greatly weakened. And no, Jermaine Kearse is not a good answer for replacing Baldwin, but might be a solid choice for third option at wideout.

Non-Seahawks news

This week, Seattle Mariners rightfielder Ichiro Suzuki decided to retire. This after starting for the Mariners in the first two games of 2019 while the Mariners opened their season in Japan. Suzuki spent 13 of his 18 seasons playing home games in Seattle. 2542 of his 3089 career hits came in a Mariners uniform. He hasn’t been the same quality of player he was early in his career in a long time, but he was one of the better players to ever play for the Mariners. When he enters the Hall of Fame in five years, he should be wearing a Mariners cap.