Two of the key defenders that have sparked the Seattle Seahawks in recent years might be forced to call it quits. Speaking to media Tuesday morning, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that both Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril will struggle to play again.
"Cliff and Kam are going to have a hard time playing football again,'' Carroll says of Avril and Chancellor, but indicates it will be their decision.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) January 2, 2018
Those who have been keeping track of these two players likely aren’t surprised by this news.
During the season, Carroll wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Chancellor’s neck injury was career-threatening. Avril underwent neck surgery, and there were reports that his neck injury could also be career-ending.
Chancellor has been the enforcer as the strong safety in Seattle’s single-high defense for the past six years. He’s been a key member of the Legion of Boom since 2010 and has been one of the NFL’s most feared defenders for his timely, and huge hits on receivers and running backs.
Avril is a dynamic pass rusher who’s racked up 34.5 sacks the past four-plus seasons with the Seahawks.
Missing both of them heading into the 2018 season would present quite a challenge for general manager John Schneider, who’d be hard pressed to replace them.