Seahawks release Baldwin, Chancellor with failed physical designations
The Seattle Seahawks released longtime receiver Doug Baldwin and safety Kam Chancellor on Thursday with failed physical designations, the team announced.
Both players have been dealing with career-threatening ailments. Chancellor sustained a neck injury that shelved him for the entire 2018 season. Baldwin has undergone numerous surgeries this offseason for multiple maladies and has been considering retirement.
The move to cut ties with two franchise stalwarts wasn't made lightly, according to general manager John Schneider.
"The Seahawks have made the difficult decision to terminate/failed physical Doug Baldwin and Kam Chancellor. These are two of the most iconic players in franchise history and both were instrumental in establishing our championship culture, great examples of competitiveness and leadership on the field and in the community," Schneider said in a statement.
"These legendary players will always be a part of our Seahawks family."
Both Baldwin and Chancellor have only played for the Seahawks during their NFL careers.
Chancellor, a 2010 fifth-round pick, became a starter in 2011 and evolved into the Legion of Boom's tone-setting strong safety. He reached four Pro Bowls and totaled 606 tackles, 12 interceptions, and nine forced fumbles with the Seahawks.
Baldwin joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and grew to become one of the franchise's most reliable targets. His best season came in 2015 when he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time and added 14 touchdowns. He reached two Pro Bowls and now wraps up his Seahawks career ranking third on the franchise's career receiving list with 6,563 yards and second in career touchdown catches (49), behind only Steve Largent.
They each helped the Seahawks win the first Super Bowl title in franchise history in 2013, before returning to the championship game in 2014.
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