The veteran defensive end has been released from Seattle with a failed physical designation, the team announced Friday.
"Thank you 12s for making the last 5 years in Seattle so amazing!" Avril wrote on Instagram, in part. "THANK YOU to the entire Seahawk organization as well as my teammates. You all made me a Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl Champ! I am forever grateful. THANK YOU!"
Avril suffered a neck injury early last season and played only four games in 2017, leaving many speculating if it would be enough to end his career. The 32-year-old has made it clear that he wants to return to football, but he'll have to find a new team as he enters free agency.
The injury happened during Week 5 against the Colts when he was inadvertently kicked in the chin. He experienced numbness in his arm the following week and hasn't played since.
Avril, 32, joined the Seahawks as a free-agent signing in 2013, signing a day before Michael Bennett in what would end up being a very significant two-day span in the team’s history. Over the next five seasons, Avril became one of top players on a defense that would lead the NFL in scoring defense and total defense in 2013 and 2014, and scoring defense again in 2015.
Avril recorded 33.5 sacks in his four full seasons from 2013 to 2016, as well as 13 forced fumbles. He earned Pro-Bowl honors for the first time in 2016 after recording 11.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Avril was also part of one of the most famous plays in franchise history, putting a hit on Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning to cause an errant pass, which Malcolm Smith returned for a touchdown in Seattle’s 43-8 victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.
