The Kam Chancellor holdout came to an end early Wednesday morning.
The Seattle Seahawks safety rejoined the team, ending an impasse that lasted roughly two months and kept him out of the Seahawks' first two games.
ESPN first reported the development.
Now, we are left with a few questions, none of which were answered by Chancellor or head coach Pete Carroll during a joint news conference on Wednesday afternoon.
When asked if Chancellor would play on Sunday, he said "I know I can play." Carroll, however, hedged that statement and left it up in the air.
The other issue no one will talk about? Why the holdout ended when it did. Carroll said he would never talk about the fines Chancellor accrued during his holdout and also wouldn't say if the Seahawks ended up caving to Chancellor's contract demands in order to get him back. Sources informed of the situation told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport that Chancellor returned despite not getting those demands met.
NFL Media's Albert Breer reported, per two sources, no adjustments were made to the contract of Chancellor. He simply reported for work on his old deal, Breer added.
Chancellor, for his part, seemed to take the same road as Carroll, noting that "those things I'd rather deal with at the end of the season."
So ends another money-related clash between the Seahawks and management, a recurring battle that has never gotten to the point where players missed games before. Quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch staged protests of their own during the negotiating period, but were never unavailable come kickoff. This was a different chapter for general manager John Schneider who, after a pair of Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl victory, has been responsible for an incredible amount of contract management.
If nothing else, Chancellor managed to prove his worth during a two-game absence during which the Seahawks went 0-2 against the Rams and Packers. Though Earl Thomas was always viewed as the architect of Seattle's Legion of Boom secondary, it turned out to be Chancellor who was the true linchpin. Thomas himself admitted that Chancellor is the one who lines him up before every play.
At the moment, the Seahawks are 17th in total defense and 21st against the pass.
It would not come as a surprise if Wednesday marks a turning point in their season. Chancellor was one of the team's emotional leaders amid several tumultuous stretches during the 2014 season. According to NFL Media's Michael Robinson, he also does head coach Pete Carroll's dirty work in terms of player discipline.
