NFL: Seattle sours on Harvin, trades receiver to Jets

The Seattle Seahawks have traded wide receiver Percy Harvin to the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional mid-round draft pick, according to multiple reports.
The trade is contingent on Harvin passing a physical, and the Seahawks will reportedly receive a pick between the second and fourth rounds in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Harvin is the Seahawks’ (3-2) most dynamic offensive playmaker, leading the team with 22 receptions for 133 yards this season to go along with 11 catches for 92 yards. However, he has yet to post more than 60 receiving yards in a game this season and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams due to a thigh injury.
Harvin was signed to a six-year, $67 million contract with $25.5 million in guaranteed money after being acquired from the Minnesota Vikings for first- and seventh-round picks in 2013, but was limited to just one regular-season appearance last season following offseason hip surgery. He did return in the playoffs, and scored on a kickoff return to open the second half in the 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has been criticized for his heavy use of Harvin on jet sweeps, direct handoffs and other plays designed to get the ball in his hands near the line of scrimmage.
Harvin had three catches for no yards and three carries for minus-1 yard in last Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys in which running back Marshawn Lynch had only two first-half carries and 10 for the game.
Minus Harvin, Seattle’s offense lacks a proven speed threat, with Doug Baldwin the team’s next leading receiver with 16 catches and fellow possession target Jermaine Kearse having just 11 catches.
It’s a bold move for the Jets, who fell to 1-6 following Thursday night’s 27-25 loss to the New England Patriots. They will take on the remaining $11 million on Harvin’s contract for this season, but the base salaries for the remaining four years on his deal are not guaranteed.
Embattled Jets general manager John Idzik served as the Seahawks’ vice president of football operations from 2007-12 before being hired by New York.
Eric Decker was signed to a five-year, $36.25 million deal over the offseason, but has been limited to 24 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns while dealing with a nagging hamstring injury. Rookie tight end Jace Amaro leads the team with 27 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown.
The Jets enter the weekend ranked last in the NFL with 185.4 passing yards per game, although embattled second-year quarterback Geno Smith is coming off his first game of the season without throwing an interception.