The Doug Baldwin rumors make Seahawks fans cry

The Seahawks have had quite an offseason, considering the big contract they signed and their draft success. But the Doug Baldwin rumors continue as a dark cloud.

At times it seems like 12s can never catch a break. Russell Wilson signed the richest contract in league history, and the crowd went wild. Then Frank Clark was traded to the Chiefs. That wasn’t any fun, but it was the key move that started the Seahawks on their journey from four draft picks to eleven. Seattle got some great players in the draft, but before it was even over, the rumors hit again that Doug Baldwin could have caught his final pass in the NFL.

Doug Baldwin’s injuries aren’t exactly news, of course. We’ve known the extent of his struggles for months, now. As Lee Vowell wrote then, the worry was the plurality. Offseason surgery is practically part of the routine of the NFL player today. Multiple surgeries for multiple injuries is another thing entirely. When the general manager says, “he had a bunch of different stuff,” that’s a really bad sign.

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2018 marked the first year that Baldwin missed a game in six seasons. Russell Wilson may not have skipped a beat statistically, but a healthy Doug Baldwin was sorely missed on the field. We knew he battled a bum shoulder and a bad knee during the season. As it turns out he had a third surgery to repair a sports hernia after the season as well. There’s no doubt that Angry Doug gives everything he has to the Seahawks and the 12s.

It looks more likely than ever that his contributions to Seattle may be exclusively off the field, now. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted this during day two of the NFL draft:

Liz Mathews of USA Today’s seahawkswire.com confirmed the story with the Seahawks. As usual with the NFL and contracts, it isn’t as simple as “Hey, I’m done.” Bob Condotta explains the situation in brilliant detail, as usual, in his analysis for the Seattle Times. What it boils down to is this: If Seattle releases him, Doug Baldwin walks off the field with $1.2 miilion more than if he retires. That would be the smart move, and Baldwin is a very, very smart guy. The Seahawks win if they release him after June 2nd, as they’ll save $10 off their cap. The $1.2 million comes out of that, but it’s still a big help for the Hawks financially.

On the field, this would be a tremendous loss. Seattle drafted three wide receivers, but there’s only one Doug Baldwin. He’s always been an influential leader on this team. The good news for Seattle is he’s just as influential off the field. Whether he’s testifying before the Washington legislature or partnering with Roger Goodell on criminal justice reform, Baldwin is bright, articulate, and thoughtful. Even if he never plays another down for Seattle, his contributions to the people of the Emerald City have just begun.