Seahawks take high road talking Percy Harvin trade to Jets

Moments after the Seattle Seahawks' shocking upset loss at St. Louis, head coach Pete Carroll addressed the trade that sent wide receiver Percy Harvin to the New York Jets earlier this week.

"Well, it was a move we made for our team," Carroll told reporters the Seahawks' 28-26 defeat against the Rams on Sunday. "We're always trying to get better and trying to get things right wherever we can. We thought that was the best thing for our club."

The trade surprised many, as Harvin is known for his game-changing speed and unique athletic ability. Still only 26 years old, many assumed Harvin would become an integral part of Seattle's offense, but that never materialized in his nine games.

Various reports listed a number of incidents within the locker room that implicated Harvin as a distraction that may have created tension within the franchise.

"Since we got here, we had a plan in place," general manager John Schneider said earlier Sunday on 710 ESPN in a pregame radio show. "We've stuck to that plan. We made a bold move in acquiring him and it just became apparent that things weren't going to work out and it wasn't going to be a great fit moving forward."

After the game, Carroll declined to comment about the reports.

One of the most concerning allegations was that Harvin often disagreed with coaches and players, including quarterback Russell Wilson.

"In terms of Percy, I wish him nothing but the best," Wilson said. "He's a great football player. For whatever reason, it just didn't work here. I pray for him and I hope he finds peace in New York or wherever he ends up. He's a great player from Virginia, whom I respect very much.

"We'll keep everything that happens in house," Wilson added when pressed about the rumors. "He fought hard for us. He played great football in terms of battling every day."

With the Seahawks, Harvin logged 22 receptions for 133 yards, and 11 carries for 92 yards with one touchdown. Seattle had signed Harvin to a six-year, $67 million contract with $25 million guaranteed after the franchise sent several draft picks, including a first rounder, to the Minnesota Vikings to acquire him.

Given the price the Seahawks paid to get Harvin, the lucrative terms of the contract and his quick departure, there's no other way to look at his time in Seattle as a failure.

But Harvin was instrumental in helping the franchise earn its championship in Super Bowl XLVIII, when he registered two carries for 45 yards, and an 87-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown.

The team insists – despite the reports to the contrary – that there wasn't one incident that prompted the trade.

"It was a process," Carroll said. "We were constantly evaluating and reevaluating and decided it was something that was going to help our team down the road."