A day after the 2016 season came to an end, tight end Luke Willson knew his future was uncertain, but he was clear about what he was hoping would happen.
"You're here for four years, and this is all I know," Willson said on the day Seahawks players cleaned out their lockers. "It'd be very weird for me to leave and go somewhere else, especially with the bonds, obviously with the players, but even just the staff around here… This is really my family. I'm not just saying that. I love these guys. It'd be tough to leave."
Over the weekend, Willson and the Seahawks made sure Seattle would remain home, with Willson re-signing with the team that selected him in the fifth round of the 2013 draft.
"We love what Luke contributes to this team," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said at the end of the season when asked about Willson's status as a soon-to-be free agent. "He has been a very good Seahawk. He has been awesome to coach and be a part of it. It's one of those deals we'd love to have him back. We did pursue that earlier and we tried to get something done and we weren't able too. We would love to have him back so he knows we want him and we'd like to have him on our team."
Since joining the Seahawks, Willson has established himself as an important part of the offense, first as a tight end primarily known for his pass-catching ability, then as he developed, as a more complete tight end who also contributes to the running game as a blocker.
In his four seasons with the Seahawks, Willson has caught 74 passes for 976 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 13.2 yards per reception.
In honor of Canada Day, take a look back at the best photos of the Seahawks' two Canadian players, punter Jon Ryan and tight end Luke Willson.
Tight end Luke Willson leaps over a defender for a first down in the third quarter.
Jon Ryan reacts after gaining a key first down for the Seahawks on a fake field goal in the fourth quarter.
Jan. 10, 2016; Minneapolis, Minn.
Tight end Luke Willson heads toward the end zone after taking a pass over the middle for a 22-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson.
The Seahawks went right back to Luke Willson on the very next play and he outran the Vikings defense for a 22-yard gain and another first down.
Punter Jon Ryan had his usual solid game, and perhaps his best play was a running punt after a muffed snap that resulted in San Francisco fumble and a turnover for the Seahawks.
Seattle tight end Luke Willson tried valiantly to make this catch but the 49ers Dontae Johnson gets his arm in the way and the ball fell incomplete.
From one passer to another, Russell Wilson congratulates Jon Ryan, whose 19-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal gave the Seahawks their first score of the game.
Tight end Luke Willson takes a peek at the big screen to see how close Arizona's pursuers are to him as he races to an 80-yard touchdown for Seattle's first touchdown.
Luke Willson celebrates after his game-winning touchdown as the Seahawks grinded all afternoon long before putting away the Panthers, 13-9.
Two hours later, punter Jon Ryan, nattily attired in a suit, makes his way to the team buses for the trip to Levi's Stadium.
Fans at CenturyLink Field were sure to with a Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to Seattle's two players from the north -- Jon Ryan and Luke Willson.
