Veteran NFL player Steven Sims brings much-needed experience to the Seahawks’ return game, an area that struggled for much of last season. His arrival is part of a broader roster overhaul at wide receiver following Seattle’s decision to trade DK Metcalf and release longtime standout Tyler Lockett earlier this month.
An undrafted free agent out of Kansas, Sims has played for Washington, the Steelers, Texans, and Ravens. Over his career, he has returned 74 punts for 462 yards and 62 kickoffs for 1,561 yards, including one touchdown. His averages stand at 6.2 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kickoff return.
One of his most notable plays came in January 2024, when he returned a 67-yard punt for a touchdown while playing for Houston in an AFC divisional playoff loss to Baltimore. The game was witnessed by Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator at the time.
As a receiver, Sims has recorded 78 catches for 704 yards and five touchdowns, along with 25 rushing attempts for 174 yards and a score. Most of his receiving success came in his first two seasons with Washington, where he tallied 61 receptions for 575 yards and five TDs. Since then, he has managed just 17 catches for 129 yards.
This past season, Sims played nine games between Houston and Baltimore, primarily contributing on special teams. He logged 21 punt returns for 122 yards and seven kickoff returns for 195 yards but saw minimal offensive snaps, with no targets.
Seattle’s return game was plagued by costly mistakes last season, culminating in a disastrous Week 13 performance against the Jets. That led to the release of returners Dee Williams and Laviska Shenault Jr. The Seahawks later turned to Jaelon Darden, who finished the season in the role but recently became a free agent after not receiving a contract tender.