The Seahawks had two players earn Pro-Bowl honors on Wednesday, Quandre Diggs, who was named the starting free safety on the NFC squad, and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner.
For Wagner, who leads the NFL in tackles with 158, this is his eighth consecutive Pro-Bowl selection and eighth overall, matching quarterback Russell Wilson and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy for the second most in franchise history. Only Hall of Fame left tackle Walter Jones has more with nine. Wagner, who has also earned a franchise-best six first-team All-Pro selections (this year's All-Pro team has not yet been named), has recorded more than 100 tackles in each of his 10 NFL seasons, and is just 10 tackles away from breaking his own franchise record of 167 set in 2016.
Diggs, who has a team-leading five interceptions, is a Pro-Bowler for the second straight year and has proven to be an outstanding addition to Seattle's defense since joining the team in a 2018 trade, coming to Seattle from Detroit for the bargain price of a fifth-round pick, with Seattle also getting from the Lions a seventh-round pick they later used to acquire Carlos Dunlap II. With Tuesday's interception, his 10thsince the start of last season, Diggs became one of five players who has 10 or more interceptions over the past two seasons, and he is tied with Denver's Justin Simmons for the most interceptions by a safety over the past two years.
"He's been a really steady force," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "He's been obvious. His hitting, his alley play in the running game, it's really as good as it gets, and he's a real ball hawk… He's just a really complete football player, and he's a very important leader, the guy back there calling the shots and directing traffic and all that, so he's doing everything."
That Seattle's Pro-Bowl representation comes on defense is fitting considering how well that unit has played for most of the year following some early-season struggles—though a good case could be made for leading receiver Tyler Lockett to be on the team representing Seattle's offense.
Despite being on the field for more plays than any other defense in the NFL, the Seahawks have allowed the fourth fewest points in the league this season (20.1 points per game) and have held nine straight opponents to 23 or fewer points, and six of their last eight opponents to 20 or fewer. With Wagner anchoring the middle of the defense and Diggs there to clean up anything that gets into the secondary, the Seahawks are holding opponents to just 3.8 yards per rush attempt, the second-lowest number in the league. The Seahawks have also allowed the fewest explosive plays (passes of 16-plus yards and runs of 12-plus) in the NFL dating back to Week 6. The Seahawks defense has excelled in no small part due to its play in crucial situations, ranking fifth in the NFL in red zone defense, and seventh in third-down defense.
In addition to Wagner and Diggs making the initial Pro-Bowl roster, the Seahawks also had four players named alternates, special teamer Nick Bellore, punter Michael Dickson, left tackle Duane Brown and quarterback Russell Wilson.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award. In addition to the surprise visit, the family received tickets to an upcoming Seahawks game, a roundtrip flight with Delta Air Lines, and other swag.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner helped surprise a USO family to thank them for their service and present them with the Delta Community Captain award.
