SEATTLE — The Seahawks have made a number of large strikes over the previous 9 seasons in an try to get again to the highest of the NFL after profitable Tremendous Bowl XLVIII and practically repeating the following season. They’ve made blockbuster trades and big-money free agent signings. They’ve modified coordinators a number of instances on each side of the ball and overhauled their defensive, in scheme and in personnel. They’ve even moved on from a franchise quarterback in Russell Wilson.
On Wednesday, they made the largest transfer they might, saying that Pete Carroll is out as head coach after a 14-season tenure, probably the most profitable run in franchise historical past. Listed here are 5 questions surrounding the transfer and the place the Seahawks go from right here as they head into the offseason.
Why did this occur now? Was it utterly sudden?
In Carroll’s information convention after the announcement, he mentioned, “I competed fairly onerous to be the coach … I went together with their intentions.” This got here after he mentioned postgame Sunday and once more Monday that he deliberate to proceed teaching the Seahawks, all of which makes it clear that this resolution was made by proprietor Jody Allen and never Carroll.
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Allen’s assertion gave solely a obscure reasoning, saying the transfer was in the perfect curiosity of the group, however it’s been apparent that the Seahawks have settled right into a rut of mediocrity.
Since profitable the Tremendous Bowl on the finish of the 2013 season and practically repeating as champions the following season, the Seahawks have made the playoffs six instances however have didn’t advance previous the divisional spherical. Carroll mentioned on his radio present earlier this week that the Seahawks are nearer to profitable a Tremendous Bowl now than they had been a yr in the past, when additionally they completed 9-8. However there was no apparent indication of that imaginative and prescient. Seattle’s protection regressed, and its offense underperformed. Over the previous three seasons, the Seahawks are 25-27, together with a wild-card loss that ended their lone playoff look in that stretch.
What does Carroll’s future appear like now?
In a phrase, unsure. Allen mentioned in her assertion that Carroll will stay with the staff as an advisor, although Carroll mentioned the particulars of that function are but to be decided. The absence of any element in addition to Carroll’s apparent want to stay Seattle’s coach contributes to the impression that the Seahawks could also be giving him the title of advisor to be able to give the perfect coach in franchise historical past as dignified of an exit as doable.
Carroll has regarded as energetic as ever at 72, displaying no indicators in current seasons that his ardour for teaching has waned. Throughout one of many extra spirited moments of his information convention, he mentioned he is “freakin’ jacked” and never worn out or drained. That makes it truthful to wonder if he would have curiosity in teaching one other staff if the correct alternative arose.
“We’ll have to attend and see,” he mentioned when requested about that chance. “At present’s about right this moment. I do not know that.”
Ought to Carroll keep put, one factor about his advisor function was made clear Wednesday: it will not entail him helping normal supervisor John Schneider within the seek for his alternative.
Carroll helped rent Schneider in 2010 and had ultimate say over personnel choices. Schneider is now within the energy place in Seattle’s entrance workplace.
Who might be within the combine to be the following Seattle coach?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will probably be amongst these on the Seahawks’ record of candidates. Quinn has been an apparent chance in current seasons whereas questions on Carroll’s teaching future have grown. He has a relationship with Schneider, having had two stints on the Seahawks’ teaching workers, together with 2009-10 (defensive position coach) and 2013-14 (defensive coordinator). He was the coordinator throughout their two Tremendous Bowl appearances, overseeing one of the dominant items in NFL historical past.
The regular decline of Seattle’s protection since then is the largest cause the staff is now looking for a brand new coach. The Seahawks had been twenty fifth in factors allowed in 2023 and thirtieth in yards allowed.
What is the first precedence for whoever takes over as coach?
Deciding whether or not to maintain offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt will probably be first up. Their job statuses have appeared unsure, given the best way Seattle has underachieved on each side of the ball this season.
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The Seahawks’ precedence on protection was to enhance in opposition to the run after ending thirtieth in 2022 (150.2 speeding yards allowed per sport), however they regressed after a powerful begin, ending one spot decrease at thirty first (138.4). Seattle’s offense, in the meantime, ranked 18th in scoring (20.2 PPG) and twenty first in yards (322.9 per sport). And it as soon as once more struggled on third down, a long-standing situation for this staff.
New coaches usually desire to herald their very own coordinators. And the current underwhelming observe data for Hurtt and Waldron don’t bode properly for his or her probabilities of staying round.
What does this imply for quarterback Geno Smith?
The subsequent large resolution will probably be with Smith. The Seahawks quarterback was up and down in 2023, and he took a step again statistically in a number of areas from his Professional Bowl season in 2022. Nevertheless, Smith additionally handled points round him on offense and with accidents. He completed thirteenth in QBR (60).
Smith’s $12.7 million base wage for subsequent season will probably be totally assured if he’s on the roster on Feb. 16, making {that a} seemingly deadline for Schneider and Seattle’s subsequent coach to determine on Smith’s future. Drew Lock, the No. 2 quarterback, will probably be a free agent, and the staff is drafting at No. 16 in April.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner may even be a free agent. The Seahawks introduced him again final offseason at Carroll’s behest, which additional brings into query whether or not arguably the perfect defensive participant in franchise historical past will return once more in 2024 now that Carroll is now not calling the photographs.