Seattle Seahawks Got What They Needed From Percy Harvin

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) returns a kick for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It may take awhile for Seattle Seahawks fans to understand why their team sent Percy Harvin packing so quickly.  However, they had their reasons.

Money

Harvin was set to make $7 million from the Seahawks in 2014 but that number would jump in 2015 to $10.5 million.  It’s important to note Seattle has some big free agents coming up next year including Cliff Avril, Byron Maxwell, K.J. Wright, Malcom Smith, Jermaine Kearse and James Carpenter.  They also will need to alot extra money for Russell Wilson who is approaching the end of his rookie deal in 2016.  They’ll obviously want to lock him up before then.

Production

One thing that has become clear about the Seahawks heirarchy of Pete Carroll and Jon Schneider is they have no qualms about cutting loose players who aren’t producing.  They don’t care how high you are drafted or how big your name is.  They pay their money to guys who put it on the field.  Thus far in 2014, Harvin was not.  Through five games he has just 133 yards receiving, no touchdown catches and 92 rushing yards with a touchdown.  Not exactly number worthy of $7 million, let alone $10.5 million.

Injury History

Some people may have forgotten, but it’s important to remember Harvin missed 15 regular season games last year and seven games the year before that.  He has a very bad habit of getting injured often and healing slowly.  Thus far his talent and speed have overridden those red flags but it certainly had to contribute to the decision to deal him to the Jets.

Chemistry

Part of the reason he ended up with the Seattle Seahawks in the first place was because Harvin was viewed as a locker room problem.  He was outspoken against head coaches and others during his days in Minnesota about everything from money to quarterback issues.  Seattle did a much better job keeping it quiet, but that doesn’t mean the problems went away.  Not only has he not been playing well but the Seahawks are losing too.  It’s hard to believe Harvin wouldn’t get agitated about that.

Championship

Besides all of those previous points, one fact stands above all else.  The Seahawks accomplished their primary goal getting Percy Harvin in the first place.  To win the Super Bowl.  While he didn’t play most of the season, the receiver proved to be the X-factor on offense for them against Denver in New York back in February.  His kickoff return touchdown and 45 yards rushing proved critical to their runaway victory.  Regardless of the long-term failures of the deal, in the end the Seahawks got what they needed from Harvin and sent him on his way before things got worse.

Was it the right decision?  Time will tell, but the decision is made.