‘Display my talents, can’t wait to bring big, explosive plays to Seattle,’ how Steven Sims Jr. joined Seahawks

RICHMOND – Steven Sims Jr. has a penchant for creating big plays. In a losing cause in a playoff game for the Texans against the Baltimore Ravens, he scored the only touchdown on a punt return.

Across the sideline from the Texans: future Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator at the time.

For the former Travis High School standout, the score led to his latest NFL job. After spending the majority of last season with the Texans before being claimed off waivers by the Ravens, Sims signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks during free agency this offseason.

"It comes around full circle," Sims told KPRC 2 during his annual youth football camp at his high school. “You know, you put the work in every day. You just dedicate yourself to the game, you work hard every day. Doors will open up. You know, it’s always somebody watching.

“Like I tell the guys, it is an interview for all 32 teams every time you step out on the field. So, that’s what I want to do. I go out and try to put my best foot forward, show and display my talents, and you know let everything else handle itself. Now we’re in Seattle, can’t wait to bring big explosive plays and things to Seattle and we’re going to have fun this year.“

As a return man, Sims is ultra-reliable. He has averaged 6.2 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kickoff return for his career with 2,023 yards in the kicking game. At wide receiver, Sims has caught 78 career passes for 704 yards and five touchdowns in his first six NFL seasons. In college, he caught 214 passes for 2,582 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Jayhawks.

Now, Sims, 27, enters a new environment in Seattle playing for Macdonald and catching passes from quarterback Sam Darnold.

“Definitely a different offense,” Sims said. “You know, it’s a youthful team, You know we got a couple of the best in spots here and there, you know, to teach the younger guys, but it’s a youthful team, full of energy, full of competition.

“It’s gonna be a fun camp. I can’t wait to get back with the guys and see what we got this year. You know the defense flying around, doing their thing. You know a ball they don’t wanna see."

The Texans, one of Sims’ former teams along with the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers, travel to play the Seahawks for an Oct. 20 Monday night game.

“I’m putting in the work every day and when the opportunity comes for me to shine and display my talents, that’s what I’m going to do,” Sims said. “Don’t care what team it is, don’t care who it’s against. Every week, week in, week out.”

Sims held his camp Saturday, teaching the game alongside Justin Allen, Tank Dell, Jaylen Waddle, Josh Kalu, Jace Sternberger and others.

“Man, it’s a blessing every year to be able to give back, connect with the youth, just tell them my story, give them a little bit of my background,” Sims said. “Let them see I played right here on the same field, just like some of you kids are going to or are now.

“Just to give back, it’s truly a blessing and it’s fun. We’re having a great time. I’m going through the drills with the kids, teaching them, giving them a couple pointers here and there. It’s all the way fun.”

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com .