The Seahawks punting competition appears to be over as Jon Ryan tweeted a goodbye to Seattle on Monday.
Ryan, the longest-tenured player on the Seahawks, reportedly asked for his release from the team as it became increasingly more apparent that fifth-round pick Michael Dickson would win the team's punting job.
"It's been an absolute honor and privilege to play in this great city of Seattle for the past 10 years," Ryan wrote. "I never wanted this day to come, but knew it would someday. Even though I'm leaving, I will always be a Seahawk."
Ryan is the only player still on the roster that predated head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider in Seattle. Ryan replaced Ryan Plackemeier after Week One of the 2008 season and has held the job ever since. He rarely even saw a competitor for the job on the roster during his 10 years with the Seahawks due to his consistency and performance.
Ryan also helped secure a return trip to the Super Bowl in the 2015 NFC Championship game, as his fake field goal touchdown pass to Garry Gilliam got Seattle on the board after facing a 16-0 deficit late in the third quarter.
That rally would continue as Russell Wilson hit Jermaine Kearse for a touchdown in overtime to send the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl.
"I want to thank all of my teammates over the years, Paul Allen, John Schneider, Matt Thomas and Peter McLoughlin, the amazing coaches I've had here: Mike Holmgren, Jim Mora Jr. and Pete Carroll, and the entire support staff at 12 Seahawks Way," Ryan continues. "But more than anything I want to thank the 12's. You embraced a pale skinned, red headed Canadian with a speech impediment and made him feel like a super star. I will forever be grateful for each and every one of you. Thanks you Seattle."
Ryan told The Athletic in June that he had no intention to hand over his job to Dickson, the Australian punter from the University of Texas that was named MVP of the Texas Bowl last December. However, Dickson showed over the offseason and through training camp that he was more than up to the challenge himself.
It may have felt inevitable from the moment Dickson was first selected back in May, but the time has finally come for Ryan's tenure in Seattle to come to an end. After a decade with the Seahawks, Ryan is moving on.
UPDATE 1:40 p.m. PT: The Seahawks announced the release of Ryan and kicker Jason Myers as the team has apparently settled on Dickson and Sebastian Janikowski as its specialists for 2018. Additionally, the team re-signed cornerback Elijah Battle and wide receiver Marvin Bracy.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 18: Holder Jon Ryan #9 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a 19 yard touchdown pass to Garry Gilliam #79 in the second half against the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field on January 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)