The Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season on the strength of an aggressive, hard-hitting defense — who could forget Kam Chancellor’s hit on Demaryius Thomas? — but if they don’t learn how to control that aggression in the offseason, they will suffer further consequences.
According to reports, the Seahawks and coach Pete Carroll have been fined more than $300,000 for violating the no-contact rules that are in place during offseason practices. The Seahawks were fined $200,000, while Carroll was docked $100,000.
Sources told ESPN the excessive contact occurred during a June 18 minicamp practice, and as a result, the team will lose at least two minicamp practices next season. The CBA that was signed in 2011 prohibits physical contact between players in the offseason. According to Pro Football Talk, the NFLPA launched its investigation after getting wind of a practice brawl between Richard Sherman and wide receiver Phil Bates.
This isn’t the first time that the Seahawks have violated these rules: In 2012, they were fined and lost two organized team activity practices due to excessive contact.