NFL Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Rumors: Team to Replace Percy Harvin With Rugby Player?

Fresh Videos

By

Getty Images

Getty Images

On Friday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks brought the sports world to a halt when they pulled the trigger on a trade that will send wide receiver Percy Harvin to the New York Jets in return for a conditional mid-round draft pick. While the move made almost no sense on the surface, the team’s recent interest in a top rugby player could shed some light on the situation.

Jarryd Hayne, an Australian rugby player, has received some recent interest from the Seahawks. He visited with the team in September, and recently announced his retirement from the National Rugby League to pursue an NFL career. When asked about the team’s interest in Hayne, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was far from forward.

“Our scout Down Under has been on this for some time now,” Carroll said. “But he’s an incredible athlete and a great competitor, so we’ll see where it goes. I’m afraid to mention anything because I’m not sure of the rights things and contract issues down there. We’ll leave that up to [Seahawks GM] John [Schneider] to figure out.”

The Seahawks’ apparent interest in Hayne begs the question of what role it played in the team’s decision to ship off Harvin.

Considering Hayne is known most for his quickness and ability to make people miss, it almost seems as though the Seahawks are targeting him as a potential replacement for Harvin, who is also known for possessing similar traits. The 6’2”, 220-pound rugby star says he believes that he’d be best suited as a return specialist, but obviously could fill a role as a receiver given his experience catching and avoiding defenders.

While it certainly seems like a stretch to think that Hayne would be a replacement for Harvin, it doesn’t mean he can’t eventually grow into a similar role. The Seahawks proved last season they didn’t need Harvin on offense to make it to the Super Bowl, and they sure know how to find and develop top talent.

Hayne may be a long shot, but it’s just the kind of out-of-left-field move that has gotten the Seahawks to where they are now.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on