The Seattle Seahawks’ Mount Rushmore is getting a facelift, and it’s causing quite a stir in the Emerald City. As Russell Wilson puts on the Steelers black and gold, fans are left wondering if he still deserves a spot among Seattle’s gridiron gods. It’s enough to make even the 12th Man fans scratch their heads and ask, “What’s the deal?”

But hold on to your foam fingers! This isn’t just about Russ’ new grounds. We’re talking about a lineup that could make Tom Brady jealous. From Walter Jones’ pancake blocks to Steve Largent’s sticky fingers and Bobby Wagner’s bone-crushing tackles, these legends have left their cleats all over Seahawks history.

The NFL Throwback YouTube channel has stirred up the 12th Man with their Seattle Seahawks Mount Rushmore lineup. At the top of the heap is Russell Wilson, the wizard who turned Seattle into a football powerhouse. “The greatest QB in franchise history, third-round draft pick Russell Wilson was a gift to Seattle fans. In 2012, the rookie took over the starting job and never let go, leading the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl win in 2013,” the channel recalled, capturing the moment Russell Wilson punched the Seahawks’ ticket to the big dance.

His “ridiculous scrambling ability” drew comparisons to Fran Tarkenton, proving that in Seattle, the Wilson era was more than just a ‘Phenom’enon. Take it from someone with a 0-5 record against the former Seahawks quarterback. From 2012 to 2021, Russell Wilson played against the Philadelphia Eagles five times and won all five encounters. In a 2017 press conference, former Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said, “I’ve compared [Russell] in the past to Fran Tarkenton.”

Schwartz mentioned how, by looking at NFL film, Tarkenton had a knack for threatening defenses inside and outside the pocket. Per him, that’s precisely what Wilson does. Watching the Eagles play against the quarterback, the DC realized Wilson’s movement, footwork, and mobility could help make something from what would otherwise be considered dead plays. “Russell threatens the whole field. He’ll boot one-way and throw back the other. You have to stay alive on everything,” said Schwartz.

Russell Wilson averaged 19 completions and 31 attempts in those 5 games, along with 238.4 yards and 1.6 touchdowns. According to Jim Schwartz, “Probably the thing that Wilson is most dangerous in is threatening by running backward. It’s hard to get somebody directly behind the quarterback, and that’s where he can really just turn and run and escape.” The former Seahawk had nailed the quarterback scramble to perfection. That said, he couldn’t have been as successful without the other members of the Seahawks’ Mount Rushmore. So, who else found a mention?

Walter Jones, the human wall, stood tall next to Wilson. He was so good he made protecting quarterbacks look like a walk in the park. In 180 career games, he allowed only 23 sacks and committed just 9 holding penalties. Jones wasn’t just blocking; he was “shredding” defenses, paving the way for Shaun Alexander’s MVP campaign in 2005.

Steve Largent, the OG Seahawk, rounded out the offensive trifecta and was catching touchdowns before some of these youngsters were even born, leading the league in receiving yards in 1979 and 1985. Largent made 7 Pro Bowls (1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987) in his 14-year Seahawks career, proving he was as reliable as Seattle rain.

Holding down the fort on defense was Bobby Wagner, the tackling machine. NFL Throwback called him “the quarterback of Seattle’s defense for more than a decade.” Wagner’s been racking up tackles like a shopaholic at a Black Friday sale, leading the NFL three times. He played a crucial role in the league’s number-one scoring defense from 2012 to 2015, making the ‘Legion of Boom’ more than just a catchy nickname.

But let’s not forget, this Fab Four is just the tip of the Seahawk iceberg. There’s a whole locker room of legends who didn’t make the cut but deserve their own highlight reel. From Cortez Kennedy’s defensive dominance to Marshawn Lynch’s ‘Beast Mode’ runs, Seattle’s football history is quite rich. It’s enough to make you wonder if we need a Mount Rushmore expansion pack!

The honorable mention of the legacy of Cortez Kennedy and other gridiron giants

While the Mount Rushmore foursome might be the headliners, Seattle’s football story has more stars than a clear night sky. Take Cortez Kennedy, for instance. This defensive tackle was so dominant he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 on a 2-14 team. That’s like being named MVP of a shipwreck! In 167 games, the 8-time Pro Bowler showed that even when the Seahawks were down, they were never out.

Then there’s Kenny Easley, nicknamed ‘The Enforcer.’ This guy hit so hard that opposing receivers probably wished they’d taken up knitting instead. Easley’s immediate impact as a rookie in 1981 included 3 interceptions, setting the tone for a career that would land him in the Hall of Fame. In 2017, he became a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

And let’s not forget Shaun Alexander and Marshawn Lynch, two running backs who treated defenses like bowling pins. Alexander scored a mind-boggling 100 rushing touchdowns in just 119 games, while Lynch’s ‘Beast Quake’ run had seismologists checking their instruments. These legends, along with defensive standouts like Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, prove that Seattle’s football legacy is deep. They may not be carved into stone, but their impact on the franchise is set in concrete. From Wilson to Lynch, the Seahawks have a highlight reel that could go on and on.

In the end, whether you’re talking about Mount Rushmore’s best four or these honorable mentions, one thing’s clear: Seattle’s football history is like coffee: rich and complex. And just like that morning brew, it’s got fans buzzing with excitement, debating which players truly deserve to be called the greatest Seahawks of all time. So, 12th Man, who would you put on your Seahawks Mount Rushmore?