John Schneider says K.J. Wright is rehabbing from shoulder surgery

Seahawks general manager John Schneider joined Sports Radio KJR on Thursday to address a host of offseason topics, including the team’s linebacker situation. Of note is the fact that Wright is on the mend after what was termed “not a serious” shoulder surgery.

“K.J. just had surgery,” Schneider said (via Seattle Times). “He is rehabbing from his surgery. I’m not sure of the timeline of when he is going to be back. So hopefully he makes it back on time and we will see how it goes. It’s just a weird offseason for everybody but especially for guys who have had offseason surgery.”

Wright is entering the final year of his two-year, $15.5 million contract. Releasing him would result in $3.5 million in dead cap money, but it would save $6.5 million in cap space. I’d prefer not to think about that possibility, and in fairness Schneider did not bring up his job security (or anyone else’s) in the interview. He did, however, sort of discuss what position K.J. could play this season.

“We’ll figure it out where K.J. goes,” Schneider said. “If he plays WILL or SAM or however those guys want to do it. They will figure it out. But everybody was really, really excited to put this guy (Brooks) on our football team.”

The Seahawks find themselves in an interesting position with their linebackers. Bobby Wagner is the man in the middle, with Wright commanding the weakside. Mychal Kendricks remains unsigned and coming off a season-ending injury in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. Kendricks was replaced by 2019 third-round pick Cody Barton, who shouldn’t be forgotten even as Seattle selected the versatile Jordyn Brooks in the first round of this year’s draft.

Wright turns 31 this summer and is the only Seahawk from the pre-Russell Wilson era who is still on the roster. He had a career-high 131 tackles and three interceptions in 2019, all while playing in every game from that year.