SEATTLE — The Seahawks have made several big moves over the past nine seasons in an attempt to return to the top of the NFL after winning Super Bowl XLVIII and nearly repeating next season. They have made successful trades and big-money free agent signings. They have changed coordinators several times on both sides of the ball and have overhauled their defense, both in scheme and personnel. They even left behind a franchise quarterback in Russell Wilson.
On Wednesday, they made the biggest move they could, announcing that Pete Carroll has stepped down as head coach after a 14-season tenure, the most successful run in franchise history. Here are five questions about the move and where the Seahawks go from here as they head into the offseason.
Why did this happen now? Was it completely unexpected?
At Carroll's press conference after the announcement, he said, “I competed pretty hard to be the coach…I agreed with his intentions.” This came after he said after Sunday's game and again on Monday that he planned to continue coaching the Seahawks, all of which makes it clear that this decision was made by owner Jody Allen and not Carroll.
Allen's statement gave only vague reasoning, saying the move was in the best interest of the organization, but it has been obvious that the Seahawks have settled into a routine of mediocrity.
Since winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2013 season and nearly repeating as champions the following season, the Seahawks have made the playoffs six times but have failed to advance beyond the divisional round. Carroll said on his radio show earlier this week that the Seahawks are closer to winning a Super Bowl now than they were a year ago, when they also finished 9-8. But there was no obvious hint of that vision. Seattle's defense regressed and its offense underperformed. Over the past three seasons, the Seahawks are 25-27, including a loss in the wild-card game that ended their only playoff appearance in that span.
What does the future look like for Carroll now?
In a word, uncertain. Allen said in his statement that Carroll will remain on the team as an advisor, although Carroll said the details of that role have yet to be determined. The absence of any details, as well as Carroll's obvious desire to remain Seattle's coach, contributes to the impression that the Seahawks may be giving him an advisory title to give the greatest coach in franchise history a proper exit. most dignified possible.
Carroll has looked as energetic as ever at 72 years old, and in recent seasons he has shown no signs that his passion for coaching has waned. During one of the livelier moments of his press conference, he said that he is “fucking high” and that he is not exhausted or tired. That makes it fair to wonder if he would have interest in coaching another team if the right opportunity arose.
“We'll have to wait and see,” he said when asked about that possibility. “Today is today. I don't know.”
If Carroll stays, one thing became clear about his advisory role Wednesday: It won't involve him helping general manager John Schneider in the search for his replacement.
Carroll helped hire Schneider in 2010 and had final say on personnel decisions. Schneider now occupies a position of power in Seattle's front office.
Who could be in contention to be Seattle's next coach?
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will be among those on the Seahawks' short list of candidates. Quinn has been an obvious possibility in recent seasons, while doubts have grown over Carroll's coaching future. He has a relationship with Schneider, having spent two stints on the Seahawks coaching staff, including 2009-10 (defensive line coach) and 2013-14 (defensive coordinator). He was the coordinator during both of their Super Bowl appearances, overseeing one of the most dominant units in NFL history.
The steady decline of Seattle's defense since then is the main reason the team is now searching for a new coach. The Seahawks ranked 25th in points allowed in 2023 and 30th in yards allowed.
What is the first priority for whoever assumes the position of coach?
Deciding whether to keep offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt will come first. Their job situations seem uncertain, given how Seattle has underperformed on both sides of the ball this season.
The Seahawks' priority on defense was to improve against the run after finishing 30th in 2022 (150.2 rushing yards allowed per game), but they regressed after a strong start, finishing one spot lower in 31st ( 138.4). Seattle's offense, meanwhile, ranked 18th in scoring (20.2 points per game) and 21st in yards (322.9 per game). And once again he struggled on third down, a long-standing problem for this team.
New coaches often prefer to bring in their own coordinators. And Hurtt and Waldron's recent disappointing records don't bode well for their chances of staying.
What does this mean for quarterback Geno Smith?
The next big decision will be with Smith. The Seahawks quarterback has been up and down in 2023, taking a step back statistically in several areas from his Pro Bowl season in 2022. However, Smith also dealt with issues around him on offense and injuries. . He finished 13th in QBR (60).
Smith's $12.7 million base salary for next season will be fully guaranteed if he is on the roster on Feb. 16, making it a likely deadline for Schneider and Seattle's next coach to decide on Smith's future. Drew Lock, the No. 2 quarterback, will be a free agent and the team will select the 16th pick in April.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner will also be a free agent. The Seahawks brought him back last offseason at Carroll's urging, further calling into question whether arguably the best defensive player in franchise history will return again in 2024 now that Carroll is no longer calling the shots.
