Sidney Rice says his decision to leave the Vikings for the Seahawks in free agency was made easier by the simple fact that he never thought the Vikings wanted him.
Rice says the Vikings told him during the 2010 season that they wanted him to return, but when it came time to offer a contract after the lockout ended, the Seahawks were the team that really made him feel like he was wanted.
“If you hear from them throughout the rest of the season telling you they are going to be in touch, are going to negotiate and it never happens, you’ve got to wonder - do they really want me there or not?” Rice told the Pioneer Press. “I just didn’t feel it. . . . It came down to Seattle showing me they wanted me to be a part of the program.”
Rice will see his old teammates when the Vikings play the Seahawks Saturday night, and he says there are no hard feelings.
“I leave there with fond memories,” Rice said. “I had a great time with the fans and my teammates.”
Even if Rice doesn’t feel great about not hearing from the front office on the way out.
