Jason Peters didn't head into the 2024 offseason planning to play football again, but he also hadn't made the decision to retire. And by the time the regular season began without any teams reaching out to sign him, the 42-year-old tackle figured his playing days might be behind him.
But then the Seahawks called, giving Peters a chance to come back to where he spent his 20th NFL season, and for a man who has spent the last two decades in the NFL, the decision was as simple as, "I get the call, I got to go ball."
"I wasn't really chasing it," Peters said. "When you get the call—and through God anything's possible so I can still do it—so when I got the call, I know these guys pretty well and it's a young good team, so I was like, 'I get the call, I got to go ball.' So I'm not going to say this is the last rodeo, but I'm right there at the end."
Whether or not this ends up being the last rodeo for Peters, a nine-time Pro-Bowl selection who came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2004, he is back in Seattle in large part because of the experience he had here last year. Peters signed with the Seahawks early in the 2023 season after both starting tackles were injured in Week 1, and after working his way back into shape on the practice squad, he ended up appearing in eight games, starting two.
Peters cited "the culture," when asked about the decision to return to the Seahawks, adding, "I've been watching them the last couple of weeks, and they've been playing hard and battling. They've just been playing Seattle ball, and I still see that here.
"Once September hit and the first kickoff, I was like, 'Yeah, I'm done.' But I didn't retire, I just kept the door open, and I got the call. So, if it wasn't this team, I probably would've been done."
Peters was impressed with his experience with the Seahawks last season, and the feeling was mutual for his teammates.
"JP's a walking Hall of Famer," quarterback Geno Smith said. "Really just appreciate the veteran leadership he brings to the team, to the offensive line, to that room. Just the countless reps. He's seen it all. He's seen all the looks. He's got those subtle tricks to the game that he can teach those guys about little things about pass setting or just trying to gain an advantage on the defensive line or against the defense. If he steps in there and plays, we know what he's going to do. He's always prepared. He knows how to play this game. He can play all five positions on the (offensive) line. I think, again, a walking Hall of Famer. A guy that we appreciate having back."
Peters said he'll need a couple of weeks to be game ready, and plans to be available to play anywhere the Seahawks ask him to. Peters has been a left tackle for most of his career, but he also played more right tackle and a bit of guard in recent years. His leadership and considerable experience—Peters has played in 248 games in his career—will also be a valuable asset to Seattle's line.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Peters will do "a little bit of everything, mentioning a "leadership role, versatility, scheme versatility, good guy to have around, all the above."
Peters, a nine-time Pro-Bowler and six-time All-Pro (two first team, four second team), has secured his legacy as one of the best tackles of his era, but he still feels like he has something to give to the game, and his Seahawks teammates are eager to welcome him back.
"He adds another dimension to the O-line room," said left tackle Charles Cross. "Just him playing a lot of ball and having a lot of knowledge about the ball. He won't do anything but help us. I'm excited that JP is back."
Added center Connor Williams, "It's a huge help to have that much experience and that much expertise. Just to be able to come in a pick his brain and hopefully be able to contribute."
Guard Laken Tomlinson, a 10th-year veteran who until this week was the elder statesman on Seattle's line, knows that even a player with his level of experience has more to learn from Peters.
"It's a true honor just to be in the presence of someone like that with so much experience and talent," Tomlinson said. "There's so much we can learn from him. I know he was here last year, but I'm excited just to learn from him, be around him.
"You talk about years of film. Hell of a player, and obviously he's been doing it for an extremely long time at a high level. how many Pro Bowls has he made? All that experience, it's invaluable, so I'm excited for him to be in our offensive line room."
Check out the Seattle Seahawks 2024 Schedule
The Seahawks and Giants face off on Oct. 6, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Giants.
A pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Paul Skannis (82) is about to be intercepted by Carl Banks, left, of the New York Giants during second quarter of Nov. 9, 1989 game at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants Larry Csonka leaves the game with bandaged knee, hurt running the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the game, Nov. 28, 1976 in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Giants wide receiver Ike Hilliard, right, cradles the ball in the end zone for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks safety Marcus Robinson, rear, and cornerback Willie Williams, left, defend during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Hilliard scored with 20 seconds left in the game to give the Giants the 27-24 win. Looking on is Giants Joe Jurevicius (84). (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants is taken down for a 4-yard loss by Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) heads for the endzone as he is pursued by Seattle Seahawks Natu Tutagaloa during the third quarter of 23-10 Giants win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
Seattle Seahawks quarter back Stan Gelbaugh (18) gets sacked by Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants for a 12-yard loss in the first quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992 in East Rutherford. Giants' Eric Dorsey, rear moves in to help Taylor. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (92) returns a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 23, 2001. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 27-24. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Evan Pinkus)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Ralph Brown after catching a pass for a 14-yard gain during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. There was a penalty on Brown for defensive holding, which was declined by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Jeremy Shockey, left, is brought down by Seattle Seahawks Marquand Manuel (33) and Bryce Fisher after a fourth quarter pass reception, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005, in Seattle. Shockey led the Giants with 127 yards receiving . The Seahawks won in overtime, 24-21. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, left, looks for running room during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006. The Seahawks said Monday, Sept. 25, 2006 that Alexander has a broken left foot and will be lost to the team for at least a couple of weeks. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) loses the ball as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney (97) in the second quarter of their NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seattle Seahawks Charlie Whitehurst (6) in action against the New York Giants in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) goes out for a pass while covered by New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) during the NFL week 5 football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 9, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks won the game 36-25. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Ralph Brown after catching a pass for a 14-yard gain during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. There was a penalty on Brown for defensive holding, which was declined by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fends off New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the game against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
The Seahawks offense does their "techno" touchdown celebration after Jimmy Graham's one-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
