Seahawks Release Luke Willson One Day After Signing Veteran Tight End

In a confounding series of events, Seattle moved on from Willson only 24 hours after he agreed to terms with the team, but the decision appears to have been made by the player himself.

Just 24 hours after re-signing with the Seahawks, Luke Willson has decided to hang up his cleats and the anticipated return of Techno Thursday has been cancelled.

After agreeing to terms with the veteran tight end on a one-year contract prior to Tuesday's practice, Seattle announced Willson had been released on Wednesday. According to Brady Henderson of ESPN, the former Rice standout decided after practicing and beginning to learn a new playbook that his "heart wasn't in it" and he wanted to pursue other interests.

My understanding on Luke Willson's release was that it was his decision. He decided last night, after practicing and studying the Seahawks' new system, that his heart wasn't in it. He's got other interests in life that he wants to pursue.

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 25, 2021

In a statement via Twitter, Willson announced his retirement, indicating that he had dealt with severe pericardial effusion, a heart condition, during the offseason and spent several days in the hospital. Keeping his health in mind with a new perspective, he decided on Tuesday night that it was time to move on to the next phase of his life.

In his closing remarks, he thanked the city of Seattle and the 12s for making his time with the team "truly special" as well as his hometown of LaSalle, Ontario for providing him with opportunities to chase his NFL dream.

pic.twitter.com/6nZUvAwRH0

— Luke Willson (@LWillson_82) August 25, 2021

If this is indeed the end of the 31-year-old football career, what a ride it has been for a player who coach Pete Carroll has called a "gifted soul." Adored by teammates, coaches and media alike, "he became a beloved figure in the Pacific Northwest thanks to his eccentric personality and free spirit."

Selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Wilson made an immediate impact as a key reserve for the franchise's first Super Bowl championship, catching 20 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. Spending his first five NFL seasons in Seattle, Willson caught 89 passes for 1,129 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Luke Willson retires. There were several swell things he did as a Seahawk. pic.twitter.com/ysUqcOl32v

— J🥥hn 🌴raley (@johndavidfraley) August 25, 2021

Willson made one of the most iconic receptions in franchise history when he reeled in an improbable two-point conversion pass from quarterback Russell Wilson late in a 28-22 comeback victory over Green Bay in the 2014 NFC Championship Game.

After brief stints with the Lions and Raiders, Willson returned to the Seahawks prior to the 2019 season. He appeared in 19 games over the next two seasons for the team, catching eight passes for 79 yards, while also playing in three games for the Ravens.