K.J. Wright thought on a few occasions that the 2018 season would end up being his last with the Seahawks.
First, Wright injured his knee in the preseason, an injury that required arthroscopic surgery and led to him missing Seattle's first six games of the season. Then after just three games back, Wright's knee forced him to miss more time before he eventually made it back in Week 16. Wright played well in Seattle's final regular season game and in a playoff loss to Dallas, but considering he was heading into free agency as a 29-year-old coming off a knee injury, he figured the Seahawks might not bring him back.
Then in March the Seahawks re-signed Mychal Kendricks, who in 2018 had played Wright's usual weakside linebacker spot while he was injured, and that news, combined with the injury, led Wright to believe that the writing was on the wall.
"I thought when I got hurt, I was like, I need surgery, I'm not coming back," Wright said. "Then on top of that, I found out Kendricks got re-signed and I was like, 'I'm for sure not coming back.'"
But instead of moving on, the Seahawks re-signed Wright to a multi-year deal and moved Kendricks to strongside linebacker so they could get those two and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner on the field together. Wright rewarded the team's faith in him with one of the most productive seasons of his career. Most importantly, Wright stayed healthy for all 16 regular season games, and over the course of those 16 games he posted career highs in tackles (132), interceptions (3) and passes defensed (11).
"I had a mindset coming into his year like it was my redemption tour," Wright said. "I had to prove to myself, prove to everyone who doubted me that I'm still a hell of a football player and I'm going to come out and have an awesome season. It took a lot of help from coaches, training staff, they had a great plan put around me so I could get here and just ball out."
Wright has enjoyed all the plays he has made this season, to be sure, but what he is most proud of has been his ability to be on the field every week after playing in only six games, postseason included, in 2018.
"Easy, I'm most proud of playing 16 games," Wright said when asked to rank his 2019 accomplishments. "I'm telling you, a lot of people were down on me. I heard the noise. I was reading the comments saying I was done, the Seahawks need to move on, he's not going to be able to make it through another season. I heard all of it, and that stuff fuels me. I love proving people wrong, and I did it in a pretty good fashion."
Wright has more than 100 tackles in five of his past six seasons, only falling short during last year's injury-shortened campaign, and his 848 career tackles rank third in franchise history behind teammate and close friend Bobby Wagner (1,073) and Eugene Robinson (984). And it isn't just Wright who has enjoyed his bounce-back season.
"It's been amazing watching him play, especially after last year," said Wagner. "He had a lot of struggles last year injury-wise, but he came back. You could see towards the end of the year—I've mentioned before, against Dallas—that kind of transitioned into the next season. He had a career high in interceptions as well. It's really fun to watch him be successful. The man he is, the person he is. The way he prepares. I wasn't surprised by it. I was very, very happy for him."
Said defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., "K.J. is just one of a kind. Extremely unique. He's a really heady, smart, instinctive guy. He spends a lot of time studying, watching film, talking ball. He's just a gym rat. He loves ball. He knows how to carry it over to action on the football field. He's been doing it for a long time. He's, no question, one of the best."
The Seahawks and Eagles face off on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Eagles.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver secures this 23-yard pass from quarterback Dave Krieg pass for his 98th career touchdown in the opening game of the 1989 season in Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PA.
Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg gets off a pass during loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1989. (AP Photo)
Herschel Walker (34) of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to avoid Tyrone Rodgers (91) and Jeff Bryant (77) of he Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 14, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Quarterback Randell Cunningham (12) of the Philadelphia Eagles is unable to avoid the rush of Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete (9) changes the play at the line as he looks at the Seattle Seahawks defense in the third quarter of Sunday's, Dec. 3, 1995 game in Seattle. Seattle won the game 26-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Quarterback Randell Cunningham (12) of the Philadelphia Eagles is unable to avoid the rush of Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
JOHN RANDLE RUSHES DONOVAN MCNABB
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles' Shawn Barber gives chase in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens catches an 11-yard pass in the endzone for a touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins defending with 49 seconds left in the game in Seattle Sunday Sunday Dec. 8, 2002. The Eagles won 27-20. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu uses the goalpost pad as a punching bag after returning a second quarter interception from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike McMahon for a touchdown Monday night Dec. 5, 2005 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, left, keeps Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) from the endzone on a first quarter sweep Monday night Dec. 5, 2005 in Philadelphia. The run set up Seattle's first score, a pass to Seattle's Bobby Engram.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Seattle Seahawks D.J. Hackett (18) pulls down the pass to setup a touchdown from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the closing minutes of the first half as the Eagles's Michael Lewis,left, and Sheldon Brown, center, defend Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant, left, tips the ball away from Philadelphia Eagles' Greg Lewis during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. The Seahawks won 28-24. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson (59) meets Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Westbrook at the top of the pile to keep him from scoring from the 1-yard-line during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Seattle Seahawks' Maurice Morris goes by Philadelphia Eagles' Sheldon Brown for a 45-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. The Seahawks won 28-24. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) pitches off to running back Maurice Morris, right, with Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Trevor Laws closing in on the left during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in Seattle. The Eagles won 26-7. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant, left, intercepts in the end zone in front of Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson and Seahawks' Marcus Trufant in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 2: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by Leroy Hill #56 of the Seattle Seahawks as he returns a punt at Qwest Field on November 2, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Eagles defeated the Seahawks 26-7. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, center, runs for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson under pressure from the Philadelphia Eagles defense in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) and defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle won 24-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon (27) runs the ball after an interception during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle won 24-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) catches a pass in front of Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle won 24-14. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) tries to avoid a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Marcus Smith, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz fumbles as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril in the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Seattle Seahawks running back J.D. McKissic (21) catches touchdown pass during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles , Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) prepares for the snap under center during a week 13 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Seattle. Seattle won 24-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles , Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' DK Metcalf (14) leaps past Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Mills (31) and Ronald Darby (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Seattle Seahawks' Bradley McDougald (30) celebrates after intercepting a Philadelphia Eagles' pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Seattle Seahawks defensive players celebrate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
