The unexpected trade of Percy Harvins might have played a part in the Seattle Seahawks' 28-26 loss to the St. Louis Rams, according to at least one Seahawks player. Receiver Doug Baldwin said the trade came as a surprise and "affected the team in numerous ways."
Behavior issues reportedly led to Seattle trading Harvin to the New York Jets on Friday for a conditional draft pick in next year's draft. Two days later, Seattle suffered a surprising defeat against St. Louis.
"Obviously the shock of the transaction and what took place there made for a bit of an emotional roller coaster," he said Sunday, via ESPN. "When something that drastic happens, right before we get on the bus [to go to the airport for the trip], there is going to be an emotional impact. I felt we handled it to the best of our ability, but I think it might have been a factor in someway. ...
"There's obviously a lot of things that went on this week that affected the team in numerous ways. As a competitor, you don't want to admit those things. But as a human, it is human nature. It took us a little while to get on track. I'm just proud we responded the way we did and fought until the end."
Harvin reportedly had altercations with his teammates, including one last week with quarterback Russell Wilson. ESPN reported if Seattle were unable to find a trade partner, Harvin would have been released from the team.
His decline in production also likely made him expendable. He has just 22 receptions for 133 yards and zero touchdowns this season, a far cry from the explosive receiver Seattle gave up first-, third- and seventh-round draft picks for in March 2013.
