K.J. Wright was fresh off an impressive rookie season when he sat down to watch the 2012 NFL draft. A fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State, Wright started 12 games in 2011 and showed the versatility to play both middle and strongside linebacker. It was clear he had a bright future with Seattle's defense.
So when the Seahawks used their second pick in the 2012 draft on a linebacker out of Utah State by the name of Bobby Wagner, Wright's initial reaction wasn't the most positive.
"I can't lie, when they first drafted a linebacker, it was my first year and I was like, 'Damn, why are they drafting a linebacker, am I not doing something right?'"
That thought didn't last long, first because Wright realized he and Wagner played different positions—Wright settled in as the starting strongside linebacker by the midway point of his rookie season, and Wagner was a middle linebacker—and also because it didn't take long to realize that Wagner was a special player.
"Since Day 1, he has been fantastic," Wright said. "From Day 1, he figured it out. He watched the guys around him, learned what to take from them, what not to take from them. He's just had a fantastic career."
Over the eight seasons that have followed that 2012 draft, Wright and Wagner have become key figures in Seattle's on-field success, good friends off of it, and when the Seahawks play at Atlanta Sunday, they'll have a chance to further cement their legacies as two of the best defensive players in franchise history.
Wagner, who already holds the franchise record for tackles in a season with 160 in 2016, is sitting on 983 career tackles, meaning he needs just two tackles to pass Eugene Robinson for the most tackles in franchise history.
"I can't wait for him to get it," Wright said. "I brought it up to him last week like, 'Bruh, you're about to get there.' He acted like he didn't know what I was talking about—I know he knew. But it's phenomenal man. Bobby's obviously a Ring of Honor player, he's definitely on his way to the Hall of Fame. Just his consistency, just dominating tackles—he didn't miss but one tackle last year—it just shows the work he puts in. We train together in the offseason, and it's just his consistency and preparation, and I can't wait until he gets to 1,000."
Wright, meanwhile, has 774 tackles, meaning he would pass Joe Nash for fourth place on the all-time list with six more tackles. In other words, there's a very good chance that by Sunday afternoon, two of the top four players on Seattle's all-time tackles list will be a pair of linebackers who have played together for the past eight seasons.
"It's special, man," Wright said of the longtime success he and Wagner have had together. "When we came here, we had the same mindset as far as how good we want to be and how great we want to play. And to do it with (defensive coordinator Ken) Norton—having him leave, come back—for us to do it has been real special. The Seahawks kept us here, they know what we bring to the table, and we've just got to ride it out and finish strong."
Said Wagner, "It would be really cool if when it's all said and done it's Bobby and K.J. right next to each other."
Wagner grinned and added, "Obviously, Bobby on top though."
Yet while both players are proud of what they have done so far in their careers, and have done enough to secure their place in Seahawks history even if they were to never play another game, neither is feeling too nostalgic about career accomplishments because they still feel like they have plenty of success left in them, both individually and as a team.
"It's a testament to hard work," said Wagner. "When you first enter the league, you kind of don't know what your career is going to look like—and I still feel like I have a lot left—but to be at the top of a list like that with all the players that played here would definitely be a blessing. But I've got a lot more games to play. I can't say I'm really focused on it, I'm just trying to enjoy the game and play with passion."
Said Wright, "The career has been really mind-blowing for me. Just being here the whole time, getting to Super Bowls, Man of the Year, Pro Bowl, it's just been fantastic. The work's not done, I've got some goals I want to get, and I've just got to take it one game at a time."
The Seahawks and the Falcons will meet this Sunday at Lumen Field during Week 3 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from past games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles in the second half at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens (86) celebrates his second quarter touchdown with Bobby Engram (84) against the Atlanta Falcons in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander crosses the goal line on a second-quarter touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Seattle Seahawks held Warrick Dunn to 54 yards in a 21-18 Seahawks victory in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick fumbles as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Chad Brown during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday Jan. 2, 2005. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens (86) is congratulated by teammate Shaun Alexander after a 3-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 28-26. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) breaks from a diving Atlanta Falcons' Bryan Scott with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) watching from behind in Seattle Sunday Jan. 2, 2005. The Seahawks won, 28-26. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu (51) reacts after sacking Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick in the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 21-18. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) breaks through the line for a touchdown on Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram (84) reaches past Atlanta Falcons' Antoine Harris for a touchdown after making a catch in the second quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris (20) is stopped by Atlanta Falcons' Chris Houston (23) after making a catch during the first quarter on Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ben Obomanu makes a toe-tapping reception in the back of the end zone for a score in a game against the Falcons on December 19, 2010. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-18.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cameron Morrah dives over Falcons defenders on his way down the field during a game on December 19, 2010.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck directs traffic down field as he prepares to attempt a pass during a game on December 19, 2010.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Raheem Brock pressures Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan as he attempts a pass down field during a game on December 19, 2010.
Seattle Seahawks defenders tackle and attempt to strip the ball from Atlanta running back Michael Turner during a game on October 2, 2011. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 30-28.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson attempts a pass down field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks Marshawn Lynch leaps into the end zone to score a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman goes up to tip a pass intended for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones during a game on January 13, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller prepares to make a touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone during a game on January 13, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks captains await the drop of the coin prior to kickoff during a game against the Falcons on January 13, 2013. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 30-28.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch makes his way around the edge of the Atlanta defense during a game on November 10, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 33-10.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril puts pressure on Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan during a game on November 10, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch heads to the field at the Georgia Dome during a game on November 10, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 33-10.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver attempts to pull down a reception over Atlanta cornerback Asante Samuel during a game on November 10, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sends a pass down field during a game against the Atlanta on October 16, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril delivers a hit to quarterback Matt Ryan jarring the ball loose causing a Falcons fumble during a game on October 16, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Devin Hester returns a punt down the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons during a game on January 14, 2017. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 36-20.
Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor makes a leaping attempt to block an Atlanta field goal during a game on January 14, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tanner McEvoy heads down the sideline as an Atlanta defender attempts to tackle him during a game on October 16, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 26-24.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham makes a touchdown grab with an Atlanta defender draped on him during a game on November 20, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to attempt a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during a game on November 20, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin pulls down a reception against the Atlanta Falcons during a game on November 20, 2017. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-31.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett makes a diving catch while falling out of bounds during a game on November 20, 2017. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-31.
