Carlson was dubbed “a golden retriever” by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck because, “he just runs and comes back and runs and comes back. He doesn’t complain and he’s great.” He earned that nickname by being Hasselbeck’s most reliable target as a rookie in 2008. Thanks in part due to injuries that year, Carlson wound up leading the Seahawks in receptions (55), receiving yards (627) and receiving touchdowns (five) on his way to PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. In three seasons in Seattle—he missed the entire season 2011 season due to a shoulder injury—Carlson had 137 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 scores, and in 2011 he was also the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.