NFL.com names Jordyn Brooks Seahawks unsung hero of 2021

While the Seattle Seahawks overall had a relatively bad year, there was some good to come out of it. One item was that Jordyn Brooks looked like a future Pro Bowler. And on Thursday, NFL.com’s Nick Shook named Brooks as his unsung hero of 2021 for Seattle.

Jordyn Brooks was in his second season with the Seahawks and set the record for most tackles in a season for the franchise. He finished second overall in the NFL in tackles (184) and led the league in solo tackles (109).

But more than just being a tackling machine who rarely misses once he has his hands on a runner (missed tackles on just 4.7 percent of attempts), Brooks’ play hinted that he could be used even more in putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Brooks had 3 quarterback hits but considering he had to play a bunch in coverage, 2022 could be the year where his QB hits rise substantially if he is used more aggressively by new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt.

Seahawks Jordyn Brooks could be the new Bobby Wagner

Brooks led the tea, in tackles for loss (10) and was sixth in passes defended (5). He had the 14th-best run defense grade in the NFL (74.3), per Pro Football Focus.

Per NFL.com, Brooks outperformed teammate and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner in both run stuffs (76) and quarterback pressures. In fact, Brooks could be the new Wagner whenever Wagner leaves the Seahawks. Wagner is due to make $20 million in 2022 so he could possibly be released to create more cap space for Seattle. Brooks could then slide over to Wagner’s middle linebacker spot.

Hopefully, by the time next season’s Pro Bowl comes around Jordyn Brooks will be a part of the unit. He frankly deserved to be this year but still plays in the shadow of Bobby Wagner. Once Wagner’s shadow is no longer there, Jordyn Brooks can be seen as the star is already is and will continue to be in the future.