In the midst of the 2019 NFL Draft, while the Seattle Seahawks were busy selecting three wide receivers over the course of Day 2 and Day 3, reports emerged that Doug Baldwin’s career could be in jeopardy following a litany of injuries during the 2018 season. The team’s selection of three different receivers certainly did nothing to quell fears among fans regarding the truth of those reports, and late last week the bomb dropped when the Seahawks released Baldwin.

While it’s no secret that Baldwin has had multiple surgeries this offseason, Tuesday morning one prominent NFL reporter is at least questioning whether the end of Baldwin’s career is really being brought about by physical ailments.

Talked to @RSherman_25 about @DougBaldwinJr on Saturday, and how he's going out. Asked about injuries forcing Doug out. RS doesn't see it that way.



“It’s him going out on his own terms. And that’s the way you want to go out. ... He’s actually really at peace with it." https://t.co/jMsKaVeFPb — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 14, 2019

Obviously, it takes all of a fraction of a second to recognize that the source for this particular idea, Richard Sherman, may or may not have an interest in painting the team in a bad light. Sherman had no problem going on the record following his release in the spring of 2018 and giving his side of the story, so grain of salt disclaimer and all that.

However, as many have noticed, in the series of tweets that Baldwin authored, multiple fans have noted that Doug failed to make mention or give thanks to several key members of the Seahawks organization.

Thanking Tarvaris but not Russ is next level tweeting — Parker Lewis (@ParkerLewisJR) May 13, 2019

It’s definitely a thing. When Baldwin signed his first big NFL contract (2013 maybe?) he thanked Tarvaris but not Russ at the presser. Glad to see that he’s petty until the end. — Parker Lewis (@ParkerLewisJR) May 13, 2019

Didn't acknowledge John Schneider, Pete Carroll, or Russell Wilson. Classless. — Sam HawkBadger (@hwkbgr) May 13, 2019

Aye bruh y'all fr left me wondering whytf is Doug not following Russ and why didn't he even mention him at all? Is there some kind of bitterness? Tf? Russ made a whole post about him — Sihawks (@SeattleSihawks) May 13, 2019

The plot thickens further when perusing Baldwin’s like history on Twitter, as he took the time to like tweets in which he was tagged by former members of the team, including Ben Obomanu and Golden Tate, as well as current member Jarran Reed. In contrast, tweets from Russell Wilson, the Seahawks and several others went ignored, which one could use to further highlight the omission of any mention of Pete Carroll, John Schneider and Jim Harbaugh.

How deep one wishes to read into all of that is up to themselves. However, ADB did give fans a glimpse into the question of why he would be walking away if it isn’t injuries, and it has nothing to do with anything but himself and his wants as a person.

But when the journey finally comes to the end, you will reflect on what that little boy caught between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola really wanted: to be seen and to be loved. pic.twitter.com/J9rTAid0pC — Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019

You will realize that the affirmation you receive from catching a football won’t suffice that little boy’s desire. The praise from those that don’t know you will be good for your ego but bad for your character. pic.twitter.com/uM8GhcUB8j — Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019

I’m not sure how much more clear Baldwin could be. “You will realize that the affirmation you receive from catching a football won’t suffice that little boy’s desire.” That’s about as simple and as straight forward as it can get - playing football doesn’t fulfill him emotionally the way other things in life do, or have the potential to.

In short, the time has come for Baldwin to move on to the next chapter in his life. What his feelings are towards specific other teammates and the organization remains unanswered, but the question of why seems to have been adequately addressed. Baldwin has reached a point in his life where there is more to it than football, and now he can devote more of his time and energy to those off field matters which do fulfill what he’s looking for from life.