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The Seahawks had Percy Harvin on the trade block for the past couple of weeks, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, and finally moved the mercurial receiver to the Jets Friday afternoon for a conditional draft pick. The speculation for why Seattle would trade a supremely talented player a year and a half after trading a first round pick, a third round pick, and a seventh round pick for him all kind of hit on the same point: Harvin was just too much of a distraction off the field.
A few examples:
.@LanceZierlein on @Softykjr: sources tell him Percy had a confrontation with Russell Wilson after RW called him out for bad attitude
— Danny Kelly (@FieldGulls) October 17, 2014
.@LanceZierlein heard from other sources that Percy punched Golden Tate in the face last year. Golden just IG'd this: http://t.co/J8EY38c3Pc
— Danny Kelly (@FieldGulls) October 17, 2014
I was told "Harvin's anger issues are just too much to deal with and he could single handedly bring down team chemistry". Wow. Unreal.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) October 17, 2014
The Seahawks moved Percy Harvin before he poisoned the locker room. Without doubt.
— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr) October 17, 2014
From @RapSheet: Harvin not the easiest player to deal with in locker room. OC Bevell struggled to integrate him into game plans.
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 17, 2014
Harvin was more difficult to deal with last year than anybody knows. He has real trust issues with people. No getting it back once lost.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) October 17, 2014
Seahawks team source: "It was time for a change. It's that simple. We got a good deal. He's happy, we're happy."
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 17, 2014
Seahawks team source: "Percy didn't want to be here. We accommodated him."
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 17, 2014
Percy Harvin's anger management issues have followed him, and I'm told that was part of the problem in Seattle.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 17, 2014
Just talked to a league source on Percy Harvin...
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) October 17, 2014
Told me #Seahawks coaches were tired of his attitude. Even in game toward Russell Wilson. Didn't like how it impacted the offense and team.
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) October 17, 2014
Bottom line, it seems pretty clear that something major was going on behind the scenes with respect to Harvin's ability to get along with key members of the coaching staff, front office, or players.