Seahawks Locker Room Surrounded by Questions as Players Deny Reports of “Tense” and “Savage” Atmosphere

A recent ESPN article has caused a flurry of questions around supposed distrust and tensions between the defensive and offensive players within the Seahawks organization. Stories of fights during practice sessions, player outbursts at team meetings, and a general lack of trust seem to stem from the Seahawks loss of Super Bowl XLIX, where Russell Wilson infamously threw an interception in the last 20 seconds that caused Seattle to lose to the New England Patriots, 28-24.

In the midst of the controversy and questions about the atmosphere within the Locker Room, Seahawks Wide Receiver, Doug Baldwin, opened up and talked about the situation on 710 ESPN Seattle radio. When asked if the locker room was a savage place Baldwin stated, “A savage place? I would say we have savages in that locker room. I don’t know if it’s a savage place,” he said last Tuesday, “it’s very warm, inviting, and welcoming place to be at. We’re a big family in there. I don’t know what he means by a savage environment. We get along for the most part. But, like anybody else — just like any family — you have your fights. You have your disputes. You have your disagreements. But at the end of the day, you’re all fighting for the same thing.”

The Pro Bowler went on to praise Seattle’s Head Coach, Pete Carroll, on accommodating the different personalities within the team. “I think Pete does a fantastic job of handling different individuals, differently,” he continued, “We all have our personalities. We all act a different way. And, Pete does a fantastic job of accommodating those personalities. He’s done it with me. He’s done it with, of course, Russ. [He’s done it] with Sherm, with Marshawn, with all of us. He does a great job at it.”

Baldwin didn’t confirm or deny any of the stories told in the article, but he did clarify on how the situation in the locker room is less savage than the article seemed to make it. As the offseason continues to go on, stories about drama and player issues continue to perpetuate much of the football world. Frustration inside the locker room is nothing new within the NFL, and when you have personalities like Richard Sherman, outbursts are bound to happen. The Seahawks began OTA this week, and while the media was not allowed to actively sit in, interviews such as the one with Doug Baldwin should relax Seattle fans’ minds over the supposed internal conflict before the Seahawks open their season against Green Bay on Sunday, September 10th. For an organization like Seattle, issues within the locker room are less of a problem than it would be for teams like Cleveland, who have other internal team issues that need to be addressed. Seattle can focus on these problems and address them efficiently before the 2017 season starts. However, the recent stories in my opinion, don’t show major dysfunction, but a drive to win and a fire to remain one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFC. As we begin the NFL season, I still favor Seattle as the best team in the NFC, with a defense of stars and an amazing Super Bowl winning Quarter Back. Seattle fans should not worry, because the Seahawks remain as strong as ever.

Written by Connor Hoehn, @UndraftedPunter