The Seattle Seahawks released veteran wide receiver Tyler Rockett to finish a decade-long run in Seattle, the second-most accurate pass-catcher in franchise history.
Rocket posted to X on Wednesday. “I really enjoyed being in Seattle! I met so many amazing people and captured so many great memories! The 12 really makes this place meaningful!
It was really fun being in Seattle! I met so many wonderful people and captured so many wonderful memories! 12 really makes this place meaningful! But my time with the Seahawks may be running that course I am grateful for everything!! God will get all glory forever!!!! pic.twitter.com/cywzbdhovr
– Tyler Rocket (@tdlockett12) March 5, 2025
At 32, Rocket, who will break away from his most productive season since 2017, was expected to be released unless he agreed to another contract reduction, as in March last year. However, there was no chance he returned to Seattle for 11 seasons on his previous contract. This was set to pay $17 million, counting $30.895 million for the cap.
But Metcalf called for trade on Wednesday, sources told ESPN’s Adam Shefater that he doubted the future of the star wide receiver in Seattle.
By releasing Lockett, Seattle saves $17 million in cash and cap space, but spends $13,895 million in dead money. The Seahawks cleared another $27 million in cap space on Tuesday by cutting down four other players.
They were waiting for the rocket to be released on another day, allowing for a standalone send-off worthy of one of the best players in franchise history.
General Manager John Schneider told reporters for Scouting Combine last week that he met with an Indianapolis Rocket agent to discuss the receiver’s future and called him “one of my favourite players.”
Rockett had expressed his gratitude for Schneider bringing him back to last offseason when his future in Seattle was unknown shortly after a slight recession in production and Pete Carroll’s expulsion as head coach. As part of the restructured deal, both parties agreed before free agency, which led Rocket to receive a $4 million salary cut.
He then took the back seat in the Seattle receiver squad, and Smith Nuzigba entered his second season. Lockett started the year strongly, increasing the pace to recreate his 894-yard five-touchdown season from 2023. However, Smith-Njigba became the focus of Seattle’s passing game in the second half, with Lockett finishing for 600 yards and two scores, with 74 targets since 2017 at his lowest standard.
Rocket – who got a head start in his post-play career by practicing real estate as a license agent in both Washington and Texas – says he intends to play in 2025.
“The whole season is a sacrifice, a sacrifice for team improvements, a sacrifice for other players improvements, a sacrifice for many different things,” he said. “When I hear people say, ‘Oh, he’s too old,’ ‘He’s washing,’ ‘He’s not the same type of player’, it’s sucking for me as a player. If you go to see a movie, I promise that it’s not. ”
However, Rockett knew that he might have played his final game against the team after Seattle’s season finale in January.
Seattle drafted the rocket in the third round of Kansas in 2015. He was an instant influential as a kick returner, creating the Pro Bowl, and the first team was selected as a rookie. His breakout as a receiver came in 2018 for 965 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has surpassed 1,000 yards in each of the next four seasons, with 45 touchdowns over five years of spans tied fourth among wide receivers.
Rockett missed only two games for another Covid-19 game due to injury in his career, but ranks second in franchise history, ranked Hall of Fame Steve Lagent receiving catches (661), yards (8,594) and touchdowns (61). In December, he became the team’s three-time Steve Lagent Award recipient, with players voted for his off-field and off-field excellence.
