Seattle Seahawks: Futures of Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril in doubt
Two of the Seattle Seahawks’ biggest defensive stars have seen their careers take a dramatic turn and their futures could be in jeopardy.
This is the type of story you never like to write. Per a report from Brady Henderson of ESPN, the football futures of Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor and defensive end Cliff Avril are both in doubt.
After missing Seattle’s last two football games following an injury to his neck in Week 10 against Arizona, both ESPN and the NFL Network reported earlier in the month that it was likely Chancellor would head to injured reserve.
“The future is really again up to Kam,” Carroll said. “He does what he wants to do with that. He’ll tell you what he wants to tell you about it.”
Avril has not played since Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. In that game, Avril dove to tackle Jacoby Brissett with his chin hitting Brissett’s heel. He has not played since the injury and will have surgery Tuesday to repair his broken neck. Carroll said Avril is facing a similar situation with his football future being up in the air.
What does this mean for the Seahawks? Either way, whether they come back to play or not, this is a big blow to the Seahawks. For one, Avril and Chancellor have been staples of the Seattle defensive line for years and have been part of the defensive force known as the “Legion of Boom.”
In eight seasons, Chancellor has totaled 434 tackles, nine forced fumbles and 12 interceptions. The three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler has performed well in the playoffs to boot, recording 55 tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass deflections in six seasons of postseason football.
Avril has also been a consistent mainstay on the defensive line. In five seasons with Seattle, he has recorded 91 tackles, 34.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles. He too has been dependable in the playoffs, notching 6.5 sacks with Seattle in 10 games played, eight of which he started in.
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Losing these two guys for the 2017 season and the uncertainties behind their careers at this time puts Seattle in a bind. Come next year’s draft, they should be looking to draft defensively. If these two return, then the draft picks will have time to develop. If not, then Seattle has a backup plan.
Defensively, the Seahawks are starting to fall apart. They need to come up with a plan for the future and soon. The fearsome defense that once was is now beginning to crumble.