The end of Hasselbeck’s 10-year stay with the club is the latest transitional move by general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll, who pulled off a staggering 284 transactions last year during their first season with the Seahawks. It’s also the latest indication that they will continue to go younger – even at the most pivotal position on the team.
Schneider and Carroll called Hasselbeck to inform him of the decision, Tim Hasselbeck told 710 ESPN during an interview. Tim Hasselbeck, Matt’s younger brother, also played QB in the NFL and now is an analyst for ESPN.
“In a very classy move, Pete Carroll and John Schneider called Matthew and said, ‘Listen, we appreciate what you have done for the organization, but we are going to go in a different direction and sign another quarterback,’ ” Tim Hasselbeck said.
Jackson played for new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell the past five seasons in Minnesota, where Jackson started 20 games after being selected in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Vikings. Jackson is expected to compete with incumbent backup
Although Jackson and Leinart reportedly agreed to terms on Tuesday, they cannot sign the contracts until Friday under the rules that accompany the agreement on a new CBA that was reached between the owners and NFLPA.
Jackson, 28, was 8-4 as the Vikings’ starter in 2007, when he completed 171 of 294 passes for 1,911 yards and 12 TDs – all career highs. In five seasons, Jackson completed 354 of 603 passes for 3,984 yards, with 24 TDs and 22 interceptions.
Leinart, also 28, was the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round draft choice in 2006. He played four seasons, starting 17 games – including 11 as a rookie. He signed with the Houston Texans last year after being released by the Cardinals. Leinart has completed 340 of 595 passes for 3,893 yards, with 14 TDs and 20 interceptions.
The former Heisman Trophy winner also played for Carroll at USC.
Whitehurst made the first two starts of his five-year NFL career last season, including a victory over the St. Louis Rams in the regular-season finale that allowed the Seahawks to win the NFC West title. He completed 57 of 99 passes for 507 yards in six games, with two TDs and three interceptions.
Hasselbeck, meanwhile, is looking for another opportunity to start in the league and reportedly has drawn interest from the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Arizona. The news that Hasselbeck would not return to the Seahawks was first reported by the Seattle Times, and later confirmed by other media outlets.
Hasselbeck, who will turn 36 in September, leaves as the Seahawks’ all-time leader in completions (2,559), attempts (4,250) and passing yards (29,434), and is second in touchdown passes (174) and victories (69) to Dave Krieg (195 and 70).
In addition to being selected to the franchise’s 35th Anniversary team last year, Hasselbeck also was voted to three Pro Bowls (2002, 2005 and 2007) and led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005.
That Super Bowl run was the apex of the most successful five-season stretch in club history, as the Seahawks won four division titles and advanced to the playoffs five times from 2003-07 with Hasselbeck as the QB.
The Seahawks attempted to re-sign Hasselbeck before the 136-day lockout began on March 11, but the sides could not reach an agreement.
