Hey all, a few weeks back I started wondering what Reddit discussions would have been like if the site was around during the 2002 realignment so planning to eventually post on all the different subs to see what their feelings were with how the alignment ended up for their team. Moving Seattle out the AFC West seemed to be one of the easiest decisions out of the whole process as they were the last team added so the history wasn’t as deep with them as the other 3. What were the thoughts from the fans of this team not just being moved out of that division but out of the conference all together? Especially since the expansion team was put in that conference? And has it been fun watching the new division rivalries form over the last 20 years?
Would love any thoughts from everyone if they had feelings different than (or same as) mine on how the 2002 realignment affected this team.
For me all I can say is that the move to the NFC West gave the Seahawks a chance to do what it really needed. Which was to reset the culture of the franchise.
I started watching this team in the 80’s. They were always scrappy and they had a cool underdog vibe. They were fun to watch, but they always had a “little brother” feel to them. Like they weren’t taken seriously. TBH for about 12 years the entire AFC felt that way. But we were like the runt of the litter in a family of rejects.
When they moved to the NFC everything changed. They became idk how else to say it but a more serious football team. Honestly the franchise turnaround for Seattle reminds me of the turnaround for New England, who was also the butt of jokes for years. Since realignment we have been one of the most successful franchises in the league. We have a winning culture.