Renton, Wash. –The Seattle Seahawks will be represented in the 2016 Pro Bowl by defensive end Michael Bennett, safety Kam Chancellor, return specialist Tyler Lockett, cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas, linebacker Bobby Wagner and quarterback Russell Wilson, the NFL announced this evening. It is the fifth-consecutive season Seattle has had at least five representatives in the Pro Bowl and ties the franchise record with seven selections (1984, 2005).
It will be Bennett's first Pro Bowl trip in his seventh-season, Chancellor's fourth Pro Bowl trip in his six seasons, Lockett becomes the seventh Seahawks player to earn Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season, Sherman's third after being named first-team All-Pro in 2012-14, Thomas' fifth-consecutive Pro Bowl trip in his six seasons since being the 14th overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, Wagner's second-consecutive honor and Wilson's fourth in four seasons as Seattle's quarterback.
Bennett ranks tied for third in the NFC (T10th NFL) with a career-high 9.5 sacks, including a team-leading 25 quarterback hits (7th NFL) and 49 tackles (31 solo) among defensive linemen.
Seattle's secondary sends three players to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Chancellor ranks third on the team with 74 tackles (44 solo) and is the physical presence of the NFL's second-ranked defense that allows only 302.2 yards per game.
Sherman has two interceptions and since 2011, his 26 interceptions and 81 passes defensed lead the NFL. Those 26 interceptions rank tied for sixth in NFL history in a player's first five seasons. He also leads the team with 13 passes defensed.
This season, Lockett joined Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (1965) as the only rookies in NFL history to have at least six touchdown receptions, a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown in a single-season. He recorded a franchise-record 105-yard kickoff return touchdown vs. Chicago (9/27), Seattle's first punt-return touchdown since 2007 and is second on the team with six touchdown receptions, becoming only the fourth rookie since 1970 with a receiving touchdown, kickoff return touchdown and punt return touchdown in a single-season.
Thomas ranks fourth on the team with 59 tackles (41 solo) and leads the team with four interceptions. His 20 career interceptions rank tied for seventh in franchise history.
Wagner ranks second on the team with 101 tackles (56 solo) and is the second player in franchise history (Terry Beeson, 1977-80) to record four-straight 100-tackle seasons.
Wilson is on the most productive streak in NFL history over the past five weeks. While leading the NFL in passer rating (career-high 111.4) and setting a career-high with 29 touchdowns, he became the first player in NFL history to throw at least three touchdowns with no interceptions in five consecutive games and his 19 touchdowns are the most in NFL history over a five-game span without an interception in a single-season. He also is the winningest quarterback with 45 wins in his first four seasons and his 101.7 career passer rating is the second-highest in NFL history (Aaron Rodgers).
The Seahawks also have five alternates to the Pro Bowl; defensive end Cliff Avril, wide receiver Doug Baldwin, kicker Steven Hauschka, running back Marshawn Lynch and tackle Russell Okung. The player would be named to the team if a selected member of the squad cannot participate.
Under the unconferenced Pro Bowl format, players will be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 on ESPN2.
The 2016 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 31, 2016 and televised live on ESPN at 5 p.m. PT from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
