Wait, what just happened?
A stunning trade completed Friday has re-shaped the wideout situation in both Seattle and New York, as the Seahawks have traded explosive receiver Percy Harvin to the Jets in exchange for a conditional mid-round draft pick (NFL.com).
Harvin has had a disappointing season so far in 2014, but he also has game-breaking talent and speed. Although he played just a few snaps for the Seahawks during an injury-riddled 2013 campaign, Harvin sealed the Super Bowl for Seattle this past January when he returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, and then broke out in September with a massive Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. At that season opener, Harvin totalled 100 yards from the line of scrimmage on seven receptions and four rushes.
But through five games – the Seahawks have a 3-2 record – Harvin has since added just 125 total yards on offence, with 133 yards receiving total.
The Jets now add Harvin to a receiving corps that includes former Broncos star Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley, as well as tight ends Jeff Cumberland and Jace Amaro. New York's rushing attack is led by Chris Ivory and backup Chris Johnson. It's a potentially potent attack, but neither Geno Smith or Michael Vick have been able to consistently carry the offence to-date in 2014.
As for the Seahawks, they'll surely jig their weapons around, giving now-No. 1 receiver Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse the undivided downfield attention of quarterback Russell Wilson, who can also lean on Marshawn Lynch, tight ends Zach Miller and Luke Willson, and young receivers Ricardo Lockette and Paul Richardson.
Moving on from Harvin is a risky, surprising play for the Hawks – who, by the way, cleared $41.5 million over the next four years with the trade, which they'll now be able to spend on Wilson, whose rookie contract is about to expire – but keep this in mind: Seattle put together a 13-3 record last season without either of their top two receivers, Harvin and the now-retired Sidney Rice.
They'll now get back to basics, and they'll be able to give Richardson and Lockette more time on the field.
And the Jets. Well, why not?
VIDEO: Seahawks have considered trading Harvin before, says NFL.com's Ian Rapaport
VIDEO: Jets acquire Percy Harvin from Seattle Seahawks