The Seattle Seahawks experienced a resurgence during the 2010s, but only one player from the decade cracked the franchise's top-five players of all-time.
While Seattle's success in the past decade is well-documented, the team employed plenty of legends before the turn of the century. Now, these long-forgotten superstars will receive the respect they deserve.
5. Kenny Easley, S
After waiting 20 years, Easley finally got inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. The fourth overall pick in 1981, Easley spent his entire short seven-year career with the Seahawks. During that time, he intercepted 32 passes in 89 appearances.
Beginning in 1983, Easley earned three consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. He also made five Pro Bowls and even won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1984. Easley made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 1st Team All-1980s alongside Ronnie Lott. Seattle later retired Easley's number.
4. Cortez Kennedy, DT
Kennedy is the greatest defensive player in Seahawks history. Maybe Bobby Wagner can challenge the Hall of Famer for that title sometime down the line, but Kennedy holds the advantage for now.
In 1990, the Seahawks drafted Kennedy with the third overall pick. The Miami product only started two games as a rookie, but he quickly took over afterward.
From 1991 to 1996, Kennedy made six consecutive Pro Bowls. After missing half of the 1997 season with a broken ankle, Kennedy made two final Pro Bowls in 1998 and 1999. The imposing defensive tackle earned First-Team All-Pro honors three times in his career and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1992 when he posted 14 sacks.
Kennedy spent his entire 11-year career with Seattle, and the team eventually retired his number.
3. Walter Jones, OT
Paving the way for Shaun Alexander and Seattle's first Super Bowl appearance in 2005, Jones established himself as one of the most dominant forces in NFL history. The Seahawks drafted Jones with the sixth overall pick in 1997, and the Florida State product delivered on his high draft stock.
Jones spent his entire 12-year career with the Seahawks, and he only missed 12 starts during that time. The left tackle went to nine Pro Bowls during his career and earned four First-Team All-Pro selections. Jones also received Second-Team All-Pro selections in 2006 and 2008.
The Hall of Fame tackle is one of four players to have his jersey retired by the Seahawks. The other three also appear in this article.
2. Russell Wilson, QB
The Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million contract in 2012. That same offseason, the team selected Wilson with the 75th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Wilson won the starting job, and Flynn never started a game for Seattle. The franchise traded him the following offseason.
As for Wilson, he led Seattle to an 11-5 record as a rookie. The following season, Wilson and Seattle's Legion of Boom defense carried the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLVIII. The Seahawks torched Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos in a 43-8 rout and the franchise's first Super Bowl victory.
Coming from humble beginnings, Wilson is now the most accomplished quarterback in Seahawks history. He owns franchise records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, wins, and game-winning drives. He also leads all other qualified Seahawks quarterbacks in completion percentage and passer rating.
Eight seasons into his career, Wilson hasn't missed a single start. His team only missed the playoffs once and racked up an 86-41-1 record. Despite facing continuous pressure behind a poor pass-blocking offensive line, Wilson is a perennial MVP candidate.
By the time he retires, fans will universally recognize Wilson as the greatest Seahawk of all-time. However, he's not there yet.
1. Steve Largent, WR
Initially taken by the Houston Oilers in the fourth-round of the 1976 NFL Draft, Largent almost never played for the Seahawks. Luckily, the Oilers didn't need any more receivers and traded Largent to Seattle for an eighth-round pick.
Largent played every regular season snap of his career with the Seahawks. The Tulsa product spent 14 seasons in Seattle, amassing seven Pro Bowls, a First-Team All-Pro bid in 1985, and four Second-Team All-Pro selections.
When he retired following the 1989 season, Largent held NFL records with 819 receptions, 13,089 receiving yards, and 100 receiving touchdowns. He made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 1st Team All-1980s alongside Jerry Rice.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame officially inducted Largent in 1995, and Seattle retired the legend's jersey.
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