Connor Wedington

Connor Wedington's Biography

2022 marked the 47th season of the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League (NFL). This year was also their 13th under the leadership of head coach and general manager Pete Carroll and John Schneider, respectively.

The season kicked off with a seismic shakeup as Seattle said farewell to stalwarts, Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner. Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos, marking the end of his impactful career with the Seahawks. Meanwhile, Wagner was released, only to join the Los Angeles Rams later. Collectively, they took an immense wealth of experience with them, leaving no remaining players from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning team.

In a surprising twist, during that same off-season, Bruce Irvin, a seasoned Seahawk who played in two Super Bowls with the team, returned for a third stint. Adding with it intricate knowledge of the team, and its strategy.

Throughout the season, the Seahawks worked hard to improve their record from a disappointing 7–10 from the previous year. Their efforts paid off when they emerged victorious over the New York Jets in Week 17, and famously swept their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, in the final week. Such arch rivalry hadn’t been seen since the 2013 season. Thanks to their Week 18 win, along with the Green Bay Packers loss to the Detroit Lions, and their own win over the Lions in Week 4, the Seahawks were able to claim the final NFC wild card berth and secure a spot in the playoffs after a year’s absence.

In the playoff season, the Seahawks came face-to-face with their rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in the Wild Card round. Initially, it seemed the Seahawks held the upper hand, leading at the end of the first half. However, the day ended in defeat for them as they lost 41–23, denying them a place in the Divisional Round.

Despite this ouster, some bright spots emerged. Quarterback Geno Smith, replacing Russell Wilson, was recognized as NFL Comeback Player of the Year, a testament to his persistence after spending significant time as a backup for multiple franchises. In addition, cornerback Tariq Woolen and running back Kenneth Walker III were recognized for their standout rookie seasons, being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In an unusual twist, the Seahawks’ 2022 regular-season included the team’s debut in Germany. In November, the NFL scheduled a face-off between the Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Allianz Arena in Munich, the first of its kind in Germany with Tampa Bay serving as the home team. Despite the excitement, the game concluded with the Buccaneers walking away victorious.

Throughout the season, the Seahawks enjoyed playing on their home field, Lumen Field. The team faced off against multiple opponents, including an exciting overtime game. The regular season was marked by moments of great triumphs and bitter defeats, with noteworthy games against the Lions, 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, and the Chiefs.

By the end of the season, the Seahawks had emerged with a respectable record and several standout individual performances despite their early farewell from the playoffs. Their Week 18 victory marked not only a win over the Rams but a milestone as the 400th win in franchise history (including regular season and playoffs). It was a shining testament to the enduring legacy of the team, highlighting the competitiveness and grit that had come to define the proud franchise in its 47th season in the NFL.