INGLEWOOD—If this was it for Tyler Lockett's Seahawks career—and to be clear, nothing about his future had been decided yet—then he went out in the most Tyler Lockett way possible.
No, we're not talking about Lockett's 11-yard catch on third-down to move the chains on Seattle's game-winning drive, though a clutch, third-down catch to set up a game-winning touchdown is a very Tyler Lockett thing to do.
But the moment that went even further to help encapsulate came more than an hour after that catch that set up Noah Fant's winning score in Seattle's 30-25 win over the Rams.
Stepping to the podium for what he knew could be his last press conference with the team that drafted him a decade ago, Lockett didn't talk about his legacy as the second-leading receiver in franchise history, or about the game his team just won, or about his role in that game. Instead, he used his platform to thank the people who put in tireless work behind the scenes, praising the work of the equipment staff and athletic trainers, and later the strength and conditioning staff, suggesting they all deserve raises.
"First off, I just want to start off by saying I think our equipment staff and our athletic training staff should definitely get a raise," Lockett said. "I think that they did a tremendous job. I think if you see the things they do day in and day out—our equipment staff literally has to stay overnight just to be able to put our stuff back where it's supposed to be to get us ready to be able to practice and stuff again. Literally, they barely even sleep. We come back on Monday, we got seven, eight hours in still pulling the all-nighter just to help us.
"The athletic training staff, one time one of the athletic trainers went back with me right after the game so we can get some treatment going to get ready for the next game. I mean, it just speaks volumes, the people that we have in this building and been blessed to be able to know them. Some of them for 10 years, some of for six, some of them for one, but definitely got to give them a shout-out."
Over the course of 10 seasons in Seattle, Lockett went from All-Pro and Pro-Bowl return man to his team's top receiver, stringing together four straight 1,000-yard seasons, and he ranks second in team history behind Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. But for all the on-field production, his legacy in Seattle will be as much about what he meant to the community, and his role on the team as a leader, as it will for his impressive on-field production. It's why in addition to all he has accomplished on the field, Lockett was also twice named his team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and why his teammates voted him the winner of the Steve Largent Award three times in the past four years.
"Man, I can go on all day," quarterback Geno Smith said when asked about Lockett. "We'd be here all day talking about Tyler Lockett. He means so much to me. Just to see an NFL player of his caliber to have the humble demeanor that he has and the selflessness that he has and just the way that—a thousand-yard receiver consistently, the consistency that he's shown and the leadership that he's given to DK, Jaxon [Smith-Njigba] and all those guys in that room, it doesn't go unnoticed. He's one of my best friends. He's a guy that I played against in college, so I knew exactly what he could do all along. Just being around him, his family, his wife—he's soon to be a dad—he's a special guy, a special person, and a special player."
And again, Lockett's future with the team has not yet been decided, but he, like everyone who pays attention to the NFL, recognizes that there's a business side of the game, and with one year left on his deal with a pretty healthy cap hit in 2025, there could be one of those business decisions to be made with his contract. In fact, as Lockett has said a couple time in recent interviews, he also finished last season wondering if it was his last in Seattle. Lockett knows he wants to play next season, and he'd love for it to be in Seattle, but he also has seen enough over his 10 seasons to recognize that might not be the way things play out.
"I mean, I felt like this last year, so obviously, you never know when it's going to be the end," Lockett said. "Because I plan on playing again, I know it's not the very, very end. It'd be different if I was retiring. But, yeah, I think it's always going to be somewhat sensitive, just because that could have been the last time you put on a jersey, so I'm glad I ended with a catch just in case. Glad we ended up with a win.
"I went out there and I just played. Yeah, you might have some emotions and different thoughts that go through your head, but you got to get all that stuff out or learn how to play through it when you're out there in the game."
Asked specific questions about his future, Lockett noted that's up to his agent and the Seahawks front office to sort out, but however that plays out, he's grateful for his decade with the team.
"Ten years with the same team, I think the only people that's done it since I've been able to play on this team were K.J. (Wright), Bobby (Wagner), and Russ (Wilson)… It's very difficult to do just being able to play in NFL, and so for me, I don't take it lightly. I think I've had so many great relationships with not just the players, but everybody that's been inside of the building from people on the second floor to people on the third floor, to our nutritionist, to the strength and conditioning coaches—they need to get a raise too, by the way, both of them—but yeah, I just think overall, man, that's what makes coming into the building fun. When you have relationships with people outside of football, it makes you excited to get up to be able to go and try to achieve this journey that we're all on to try to get to the playoffs, to win the Super Bowl or just create a team that wants to be able to play for their coaches, that wants to be able to play for the community and the city. And so I appreciate the city too, man. I think the city is amazing. I'll always view Seattle as a college town, and maybe this isn't the end, maybe it is the end, but I always will be a Seahawk through and through.
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks players at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks players at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks free safety Coby Bryant (8), Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20), and Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) at the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
