Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said general manager John Schneider kept tabs on the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes all the way until the wide receiver announced his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Rams.

"The situation that we have been in so many times before when we have opportunities, we explore it and go as far as we can," Carroll told reporters Friday. "That's what we did, John took it all the way through and made sure we knew what was going on. He had picked the place that he wanted to go to once he cleared waivers and he got a chance to do that."

Along with the Seahawks and Rams, Beckham also attracted interest from the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, per ESPN.

It created a situation where the three-time Pro Bowl selection had a wide variety of different options, and he ultimately had to weigh the chance to compete for a Super Bowl title with potentially taking on a high-volume role.

Beckham opted for an L.A. squad that already possessed a deep pass-catching group with Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson and Tyler Higbee. So his individual numbers don't figure to explode following his move from the Cleveland Browns, but it gives him a chance to earn a role on a team with legitimate championship aspirations.

The 29-year-old LSU product would have been in line for a more consistent role in Seattle, but he'd still likely have been No. 3 in the pecking order behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.

In turn, the Seahawks will continue to search for ways to get more production from its other targets. Wide receiver Freddie Swain and tight ends Gerald Everett and Will Dissly have yet to take advantage of opportunities to fill that key void in the passing game.

The return of quarterback Russell Wilson, who missed the past three games after finger surgery, should provide a boost to an offense that averaged just 190.3 passing yards per game under the guidance of backup Geno Smith.

Seattle doesn't have much margin for error as it returns from a bye week with a 3-5 record and has matchups with the Green Bay Packers (7-2) and Arizona Cardinals (8-1) over the next two weeks.

The schedule gets more favorable after that, but the Hawks can only afford two or three more losses down the stretch to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Adding Beckham would have helped their chances of putting together a second-half surge, but it's still possible despite the wideout's decision to sign with the division-rival Rams.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has officially been activated off injured reserve, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

The veteran has been out since a Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after undergoing surgery on his right middle finger. 

Wilson participated in practice this week for the first time since suffering the finger injury, and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he would start Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. 

"He had a terrific week; he really did," Carroll said, per the team website. "And you could see him just feel a little bit better as the week went on, but he really didn't hold anything back. He finished great the last couple of days, and he's ready to go."

Carroll added that he expects Wilson to play well when he returns to the field. The seven-time Pro Bowler shared the same optimism Thursday, telling reporters: "I feel great. I feel really close."

Before being sidelined because of the finger injury, Wilson completed 72 percent of his passes for 1,196 yards and 10 touchdowns against one interception in five games. He hadn't missed a game in his 10-year career before injuring his finger. 

Backup quarterback Geno Smith started while Wilson was out, throwing for 571 yards and four touchdowns in three starts. However, Seattle struggled without its starting QB, going 1-2 while he was out. The team's only win was against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

In addition to Wilson, the Seahawks also activated rookie wide receiver Dee Eskridge for Sunday's game. However, running back Chris Carson remains sidelined due to a neck injury. 

The Seahawks are tied for last place in the NFC West with a 3-5 record. However, they are just outside of the playoff picture and could very well contend for a postseason spot with Wilson back in the lineup.  

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is set to make his return this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers after missing the last three games while recovering from surgery on his right middle finger.

Wilson, who participated in practice this week for the first time since the injury, said he's happy with the progress of his recovery.

"I feel great. I feel really close. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I'm pretty dang close," Wilson said Thursday. "I don't need to wear a glove. The hand feels strong."

Wilson suffered the finger injury in Seattle's Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. It was the first time in his 10-year career that he was forced to miss games, snapping a streak of 149 consecutive regular-season starts.

Backup quarterback Geno Smith performed adequately in Wilson's absence, throwing for 702 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. But the Seahawks struggled without their starter, losing three straight games before their Week 9 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wilson was initially expected to miss six to eight weeks, but an aggressive approach to his rehab helped him make his comeback ahead of schedule. The 32-year-old said he won't take his return for granted.

"Just trying to be completely neutral in the midst of it all, knowing that things happen," Wilson said. "I'm also knowing that I've been blessed to be able to play all the games I've been able to play and all the things I've been able to do so far in this league. I feel like it's a new beginning."

At 3-5, the Seahawks are tied for last place in the NFC West, but they sit only one game out of the NFC's final playoff spot.

Seattle has missed the playoffs just once with Wilson as its starting quarterback. The team can only hope his return will lead to a resurgence in the latter half of the season.

After missing Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs while on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list, Aaron Rodgers isn't guaranteed to be available this week. 

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show (h/t Fox 11 News), Rodgers said there is a "small possibility" he won't play against the Seattle Seahawks. 

The Packers announced on Nov. 3 that Rodgers had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He later confirmed his unvaccinated status last week in a separate appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. 

Per NFL rules, unvaccinated players are required to isolate for at least 10 days before they are eligible to return. They must also be cleared by an independent doctor. 

Rodgers' 10-day window ends on Nov. 13, one day before the Seahawks-Packers matchup at Lambeau Field. He won't be able to participate in practice with the team leading up to the game. 

With Rodgers unavailable in Week 9, the Packers turned to Jordan Love for his first career NFL start. The 23-year-old was Green Bay's first-round pick in the 2020 draft (No. 26 overall). 

Love went 19-of-34 for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 13-7 loss to the Chiefs. The seven points mark the first time since Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints that Green Bay didn't score at least 24 points in a game. 

The Seahawks are expecting to get Russell Wilson back after he was cleared to practice after missing three games because of a finger injury that required surgery. 

The Packers (7-2) have a 3.5-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings for the top spot in the NFC North. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC standings, behind only the 8-1 Arizona Cardinals.     

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly at least considering claiming wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on waivers Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the NFC West team held "internal discussions" on such a move that he still classified as a "long shot" given the $7.25 million contract. However, he also pointed out quarterback Russell Wilson "certainly wouldn't mind" if the Seahawks added another weapon. 

Seattle head coach Pete Carroll talked about potentially signing Beckham during his Monday press conference:

He's a really good football player, he's as talented as you could be in the years past. You're always looking for guys that can do special stuff. Forever, I've shared with you guys that we're looking for uniqueness and people that are different than other people and give you different dimensions to their play. So that's what we're trying to figure out and investigate and see if there's a chance and all that kind of stuff if it makes sense.

The Seahawks already have DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at wide receiver, which means Beckham would likely face single coverage against almost any opposing secondary and have the opportunity to put up notable numbers after struggling with consistency with the Cleveland Browns.

He is available on waivers because the Browns reached a settlement for his restructured contract after his father posted a video on Instagram criticizing quarterback Baker Mayfield for missing the wide receiver on open routes a number of times.

"I've had conversations with his dad before, man-to-man, face-to-face, and I was pretty surprised by the video and the intentions and the feelings behind it," Mayfield told reporters. "I would be lying if I said otherwise."

Beckham tallied 17 catches for 232 yards and zero touchdowns in six games with the Browns this season but isn't far removed from being one of the best wide receivers in the league when he was a three-time Pro Bowler during a tenure with the New York Giants that lasted from 2014 through 2018.

Expecting him to go over 1,000 yards like he did four times in New York would likely be too much for the Seahawks, but he would be in a position to put up better numbers than he did in Cleveland given the presence of Metcalf and Lockett.

The Seahawks are 3-5 on the season but just one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the race for the final NFC playoff spot.                   

After being officially placed on waivers by the Cleveland Browns on Monday, Odell Beckham Jr.'s next destination is not yet known. But one team may have already tipped its hand.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll added fuel to the speculation that his team will put in a claim for the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.

"We’re aware of what’s going on and we’ve been involved to understand it and compete, to know what’s happening," Carroll told reporters. "We’ll let you know as it all happens. I got to wait. So, I didn’t say yes or I didn’t say no. That’s because …  you’ll see."

If claimed on waivers, Beckham will be owed $7.25 million from his new team and the Seahawks have the cap space to take on his contract. Seattle is ninth in the waiver-claiming order.

If Beckham goes unclaimed by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, he will become a free agent and he will be able to sign with any team he chooses.

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Beckham is interested in joining the Seahawks. Florio also noted that Beckham prefers to hit free agency rather than get claimed off waivers.

Two teams that have already taken themselves out of the running for Beckham are the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.

Despite having an 0-8 record and the top waiver priority, Lions head coach Dan Campbell dismissed the idea of putting in a claim. Giants head coach Joe Judge told reporters he "wouldn’t expect anything" regarding a reunion between New York and Beckham.

If Beckham does land in Seattle, it would give the Seahawks one of the best receiving corps in the NFL. Seattle wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are already a top-tier duo, and Beckham would likely fit nicely alongside them since he won't have to take on the duties of the No. 1 receiver.

Seattle is 3-5 and will return to action Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will return after missing the past three games because of surgery on his right middle finger.

Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson confirmed he's ready to return to the field with a video in a Twitter post Monday:

After Wilson's post, the Seahawks confirmed the quarterback's status:

The video showed clips of his recovery from the middle finger injury on his right hand that has kept him out since Week 5. Seattle is scheduled to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The Seahawks placed the quarterback on injured reserve in October because of the injury. He underwent surgery a week earlier, and the team announced he was expected to return sometime this season.

Even if Wilson avoided a season-ending injury, the concern for Seattle was whether his extended absence would derail a quest for the playoffs.

The Seahawks didn't have a losing record in any of his first nine seasons, and they fell short of the postseason once. Not coincidentally, the 32-year-old didn't miss a game.

Wilson has helped paper over the Seahawks' cracks, both in terms of personnel and coaching. His time away from the offense has served as a stark reminder.

Geno Smith has been under center with Wilson out. Through four games, Smith has thrown for 702 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, and Seattle is 1-2 in his three starts.

Head coach Pete Carroll will be happy to see Wilson back on the field as the 3-5 Seahawks try to return to contention in the NFC.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be placed on waivers Monday, and it sounds like he's keen on teaming up with Russell Wilson. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio Beckham reported during the Sunday Night Football pregame broadcast that Beckham prefers to become a free agent and wants to join the Seattle Seahawks. Florio added that the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints are also considered "teams to watch." 

The Seahawks can place a claim for Beckham. However, the team is ninth in the NFL waiver-claiming order, meaning any team above them that submits a claim for the star receiver would have priority. Seattle might have a better chance to land him if he were to become a free agent. 

If Beckham were to join the Seahawks, Seattle would boast one of the best receiving groups in the NFL with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett already onboard. 

The 29-year-old averaged 13.6 yards per reception in six games with the Browns this year and is averaging 14 yards per catch in his eight NFL seasons. However, his longest catch this season is just 26 yards.

Seattle is currently out of the playoff picture with a 3-5 record, and Beckham wants to join a contender. However, the team has been without Wilson since Week 5 with a finger injury, and he reportedly might be ready for a Week 10 clash against the Green Bay Packers. Wilson's return and the addition of OBJ could be enough to vault the Seahawks back into playoff contention.

Beckham's fallout with the Browns was sped up after his father, Odell Beckham Sr., posted a video on Instagram highlighting times quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't throw the ball to his son or missed him when he was open.

Beckham never reached out to Mayfield to apologize and was later excused from Browns practices as head coach Kevin Stefanski told players the receiver was essentially not part of the team anymore. 

The LSU product also reportedly asked to be traded multiple times during the offseason and after last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. So, it's no surprise he's on the move for the second time in his career.    

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson posted a picture of the pin removed from his injured right middle finger on Monday, but head coach Pete Carroll remains unsure of the superstar's return timeline.

Carroll told reporters shortly before Wilson showcased the pin on social media how the signal-caller's hand responds will determine the next steps:

It's how he works after that's out and he's ready to start developing. It's more that. There's a pretty clear-cut timeframe they think for the couple days after that is removed, and then it's just how he can progress. Of course, the docs are going to take a look at it and see what it looks like now once he gets it out. That will be the first time he'll be able to bend his finger, so we've got to see how that works out.

Wilson was injured during an Oct. 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter after the initial surgery the best-case scenario would be a four-week absence.

The Seahawks, who've gone 1-2 with Geno Smith leading the offense, have a bye in Week 9. They return to action with a road game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 14, which would be just outside the four-week timetable.

Seattle owns a 3-5 record, and with games against the Packers and Los Angeles Rams (both 7-1) coming out of the bye, it could use its franchise quarterback on the field to avoid digging an even bigger hole in the NFC playoff race.

Wilson was off to a strong start before the injury. He'd completed 72 percent of his passes for 1,196 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one interception through five appearances.

The Hawks' schedule gets more favorable down the stretch after the Green Bay and L.A. matchups, so there's still a path to the postseason even if the eight-time Pro Bowler can quickly return to form.

Wilson's absence marked the first of his career after playing every game since Seattle selected him in the third round of the 2012 draft.

Along with their quarterback, the Seahawks could also be getting closer to the return of running back Chris Carson, who's on injured reserve with a neck injury. He could return to practice coming out of the bye week if cleared by doctors.

"He's real determined to get that done, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for him that he can get a chance to get back on the field and start working with us," Carroll said. "That's about as optimistic as we can be until we know more."

The NFC is overflowing with talented teams this season, but if Seattle can get back to full strength and find its stride in the second half, it could emerge as a playoff sleeper.