Seahawks officially part ways with Doug Baldwin, Kam Chancellor
The Seattle Seahawks are parting ways with two players who played a huge role in their successes the past decade.
The contracts of both wide receiver Doug Baldwin and safety Kam Chancellor were terminated with failed physical designations on Thursday, signaling the end of their time in Seattle and potentially the NFL altogether.
Two Seattle icons.
Thank you for everything, @KamChancellor and @DougBaldwinJr. 💙 pic.twitter.com/k27vjOMTjU— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 9, 2019
Chancellor spent all of 2018 on the physically unable to perform list because of a 2017 neck injury, and Baldwin caught 50 passes for 618 yards while battling an array of injuries. The two statistical totals were Baldwin’s lowest since 2012, his second year as a pro. The team acknowledged that Baldwin had “multiple” surgeries this offseason. Recent reports indicated that Baldwin was considering retiring.
“The Seahawks have made the difficult decision to terminate/failed physical Doug Baldwin and Kam Chancellor,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said.
“These are two of the most iconic players in franchise history and both were instrumental in establishing our championship culture, great examples of competitiveness and leadership on the field and in the community. These legendary players will always be a part of our Seahawks family.”
Chancellor suffered a career-ending neck injury
Chancellor was a stalwart in the defensive backfield for some of the best defenses in recent memory, including the 2013 Super Bowl champions. He helped Seattle lead the NFL in scoring defense for four straight seasons from 2012-2015 while earning four Pro Bowl and two second-team All-Pro nods.
A three-time team captain, Chancellor totaled 641 tackles, 12 interceptions and nine forced fumbles over eight seasons with the Seahawks. His playing career was cut short when he injured his neck on Nov. 9, 2017 against Arizona. He remained on the roster in 2018 for salary cap purposes with this day — having his contract terminated — always on the horizon.
Last year, Chancellor, a 2010 fifth-round draft choice, said he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis with “a buildup of calcification behind his C-2 and C-3 vertebrae,” according to the Seattle Times. He said he also has multiple bone spurs in his spine.
Baldwin went from undrafted to one of Seattle’s best
Baldwin was not chosen in the 2011 draft, but went on to lead the Seahawks in receptions (51), receiving yards (788) and receiving touchdowns (4) that year.
Over his eight seasons, Baldwin caught 493 passes for 6,563 yards, both third-most in franchise history. His 49 touchdowns ranks second in the Seahawks record books, trailing only Hall of Famer Steve Largent.
Baldwin, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, owns the franchise record for touchdown catches in a season (14 in 2015) and tied Bobby Engram’s team record for receptions in a season with 94 in 2016.
With the possibility that Baldwin would not be healthy enough to play in 2019, the Seahawks drafted two wide receivers: D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss) in the second round and Gary Jennings (West Virginia) in the fourth.
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