You don’t have to like Colin Cowherd to acknowledge that he is well sourced.
The man speaks to Russell Wilson and/or his entourage.
It’s obvious. He practically campaigned for ‘Let Russ Cook’ last summer and has always been willing and prepared to offer an opinion from the perspective of Seattle’s quarterback.
Wilson has appeared on his show several times.
So when Cowherd speaks, it’s worth listening — at least if you want to know what’s going on in Wilson’s mind.
Because while many fans and some media are doing a fantastic impression of ‘Comical Ali‘ or the ‘this is fine‘ meme — the truth is there’s an issue that can’t be ignored and should be discussed.
A lot of people will accuse Cowherd of making a story out of nothing.
I’ve seen the following stated a lot on social media and other websites:
‘Wilson simply said he wants the O-line to be better and we all knew that anyway, so why are the media making a big deal out of this? They just want to create clickbait stories’
I’ll say it again. If you think the media are desperate to invent a Seahawks/Wilson saga, you’re hopelessly in denial.
If they needed to create anything right now, they’d be talking about whether it’s appropriate for Tom Brady to get hammered on a boat and throw a Super Bowl trophy across to another boat. They’d be delving into the Dallas/Dak Prescott situation. Nothing creates more clicks and hits than Tom Brady and the Cowboys.
They’ve been served a Deshaun Watson drama this year with a side-order of Carson Wentz. Matt Stafford and Jared Goff have swapped teams. Urban Meyer is in the NFL and preparing to draft one of the highest rated players college football has ever produced (and he had his pro-day recently).
Then there’s the Chiefs. The unstoppable force was demolished by Tampa Bay, amid a hugely controversial incident involving Andy Reid’s son days before the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks and Russell Wilson are simply not interesting enough outside of Seattle to think — ‘let’s insert this into the agenda’.
Cowherd, Mike Florio, Jason La Canfora and Dan Patrick. All people with connections to Wilson or his agent Mark Rodgers. Then there’s Mike Garofolo, one of the most trusted and reliable reporters in the NFL, also saying there’s a problem.
This isn’t about what Wilson, who is always careful and deliberate with his words, says in public. This is about what is being said off-camera or off-mic. It’s the very deliberate insertion of Wilson’s dissatisfaction into the mainstream media.
And piece by piece, we’re learning exactly what the issues are.
Cowherd says:
“Russell Wilson, I can tell you this, isn’t happy with Pete Carroll”
When you make a statement as forthright as ‘this is what the problem is’ — that’s because it’s been relayed to you, in faith, by a source who knows the truth.
So whether this is from Wilson, Rodgers or Greg Olsen (who is also close to Cowherd) — this isn’t something pulled from behind the couch to generate a bit of buzz on social media.
“He likes his team mates, he likes Seattle — it’s a Pete Carroll thing. The offense is outdated. I’ve had three different Seattle players tell me they feel like they’re running a 1980’s offense.”
Again, this is a very direct statement. So whether you agree with what Cowherd is saying about the offense or not — it doesn’t matter. This is a feeling within Seattle’s locker room. The extent to which this view is shared is unclear but it’s something that is at least felt by three individuals and possibly more.
“Since the death of Paul Allen, Pete Carroll has unquestioned power. In my opinion, it’s a lopsided franchise where the coach has too much power over the playbook, too much power over his quarterback, has too much power over the franchise and too much power over John Schneider.”
This is a quote worth breaking down.
Firstly, we’ve talked for many months about the Seahawks being a franchise stuck in an ownership holding pattern.
This isn’t about criticising Jodi Allen. She’s inherited a team from her brother. It’s already been reported that within the next five years, the Seahawks will likely be bought by someone else.
It’s perfectly understandable why she would place her faith in Carroll and Schneider for the next few years. Going through a major structural change and needing to find a new Head Coach is not an easy process at the best of times.
Until a buyer is found and a purchase completed, the status quo will remain.
It’s nobody’s fault that this happened and Allen doesn’t bear any responsibility for placing her faith in two franchise stalwarts.
Russell Wilson has a different agenda though. He is 33 in November. He clearly has issues with the way the franchise is operating and would probably prefer to play for an offensive minded Head Coach, with a more focused personnel setup, let by a GM without an overseeing leader.
Cowherd says this is his opinion rather than anything expressed by a source. Yet it’s not a stretch to think this is a view shared by multiple individuals.
“The offensive line has been suboptimal since they traded away Max Unger and Russ doesn’t believe he’s given the respect he deserves.”
Some may contend this — but I’m not convinced Cowherd has his finger on the pulse to the extent that he randomly refers back to a trade made six years ago in order to illustrate a take on the offensive line.
That, to me, is probably a point relayed by Wilson. Which is understandable. I think the decision to replace Unger with Drew Nowak would stick in the craw of many franchise quarterbacks for a long, long time. That’s a difficult thing to forget.
Feeling like he isn’t getting enough respect points to the increasing lack of trust, which brings me on to Cowherd’s next comment:
“What is happening in Seattle is, the offense is outdated but the defense is no good and that’s Pete’s speciality. In the last five years, Seattle’s defense has gone from 5th to 11th to 16th to 26th to 22nd. And too often, Russell Wilson feels like a life preserver for a franchise that can’t stop anybody.”
This quote speaks to a couple of issues. Firstly, I suspect Wilson has been deeply impacted by what happened in the first half of the 2020 season. Seattle’s defense was on a historically bad pace. Wilson’s brilliance got them to 5-0. He dragged them to an unbeaten start.
Then at the first sign of trouble — the games in Buffalo and LA — Carroll put an end to ‘Let Russ Cook’.
Yes — Wilson didn’t play well from Buffalo onwards. But it’s easy to imagine him feeling let down by a lack of trust and support to put things right. After all, he was on a record-pace himself after five games. The drive to beat Minnesota felt like his MVP moment. He was the heavy favourite to be the MVP.
It’s hard to imagine the Packers deciding the way out of a difficult spell is to reign in the offense and place more faith in the defense rather than Aaron Rodgers. Tom Brady had some bad games in 2020 but the Buccs never wavered.
And let’s be right here — even with Wilson’s poor play in the second half of 2020 (which may have been affected by the lack of faith being placed in him), he is the main reason Seattle has had winning season after winning season in recent years.
Without the quarterback, what are the Seahawks?
A team picking in the top-10?
The defense has been consistently poor for years, as Cowherd’s rankings suggest. Certainly they’ve not had a defense since the LOB that you would consider anywhere near the top of the NFL.
Nobody should underestimate Carroll’s impact as a leader, coach and motivator. He deserves to stand by his record in Seattle and claim the credit attached to it.
Yet without a quarterback like Wilson, the stark reality is this would be a very different story.
What Cowherd is highlighting here is a quarterback who feels under appreciated and is wondering whether the coach is holding up his end of the bargain.
“I don’t think this is a great relationship. I don’t think Russell Wilson is going to get traded. I’ve been told he’s not going to get traded. But it’s fluid. It’s imperfect. It’s turbulent. It’s not great.”
I think this is an important quote. I’m not convinced Cowherd has a direct line to the Seahawks. He might do. He’s well connected. But I suspect this is possibly an admission from the Wilson camp — as disillusioned as they may be — that a trade isn’t viable this year unless they want to unleash a Deshaun Watson-style tsunami.
But this is where I think some people are missing the point. Rather than writing a glib, dismissive reaction to the suggestion Wilson won’t be traded, we should be looking at why such a statement even has to be made.
Joe Fann summed it up very well in a tweet yesterday:
How you should read this: “Russell Wilson isn’t getting traded right now.”
How you shouldn’t read this: “Things are A-OK between Wilson and the Seahawks.” https://t.co/7piS43Kp3M
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) February 15, 2021
That Wilson won’t be traded (always a long-shot because how often are franchise quarterbacks with $39m dead-cap hits dealt?) isn’t the takeaway you should be battering people over the head with. Understanding that Wilson has serious issues with the franchise, identifying what they are and finding out whether the Seahawks are actively working to fix this mess should be the order of the day.
Because if you’re not trading him, then you’re obliged to make things right.
What’s the alternative? A civil war between coach and quarterback? Another season where we have to debate the merits of consistent playoff qualification versus being post-season also-rans?
Things have to change and that means making some difficult decisions.
They’ve currently only got $2.3m to spend according to Over the Cap. They have holes all over the roster — at left guard, center, cornerback, running back and SAM linebacker. They’re losing depth at tight end and on the D-line. In the trenches, where they have contracted players, significant improvement is still required.
People are talking about contract extensions and restructures as a run of the mill solution. No biggie. Just extend a deal here for a 32-year-old pass rusher, or give that 30-year-old receiver a honking great cap hit in 2022 or 2023 to make it painfully difficult to get out of the deal down the line.
This is how teams like Dallas and New Orleans get into so much cap trouble. The never-ending borrowing on the credit card.
The fact Seattle currently has a projected $118,526,756 available in 2022 is a mirage. They only have 19 contracted players currently. This doesn’t include whatever they end up paying Jamal Adams — assuming they keep him. It doesn’t include a presumed extension for D.K. Metcalf. And look at the list of contracted players. You might want to peek between your fingers, it’s fairly terrifying.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that Wilson is looking at this and wondering what the heck is going on. What’s the plan, exactly? What’s the process? The blueprint?
Cowherd touched on the Seahawks again in another segment today:
Here’s a few choice quotes:
“He (Carroll) now has incredible power in personnel. In fact that’s why the GM John Schneider almost left to take the Lions’ GM job and their draft picks have been all over the map. That Jamal Adams trade? There’s no safety in the NFL worth two first round picks. Pete made that happen. The Rashaad Penny first round pick was a mess.”
A few months ago I wrote about the need for Carroll to take a step back and become a figurehead for the franchise. Lead the team, inspire and motivate. Be the ultimate overseer but empower other people to run the offense and defense.
By the sounds of things, he’s not even letting Schneider make the calls on the positions to draft and the trades to make.
And yes — Carroll has praised Schneider for getting the Adams deal done. Yet how much of that was an instruction from Carroll to get him, with Schneider merely presenting the best offer he could get from the Jets?
“Doesn’t it feel kinda like Seattle is making up crap as they go?”
This is perhaps the most explosive quote of the lot because it’s a striking shot at Carroll.
Yet I have to say, it resonates.
The last off-season in particular was shambolic. From repeatedly calling Jadeveon Clowney the priority, to seemingly leaving the door open for him far too long and missing out on alternative options, to the decision to invest yet more resource in the linebacker position and then trade up, aggressively, for a player with major injury red flags. It felt chaotic and disorganised.
Then the last minute trade for Jamal Adams, at a massive cost. In my opinion it was a desperate attempt to add talent and impact to a defense that had merely swapped Clowney for a Benson Mayowa/Bruce Irvin combo. The most significant addition felt like Quinton Dunbar and at the time it wasn’t clear whether he was going to be playing cornerback or going to jail.
Adams was available and Seattle overpaid to ensure they didn’t enter the season without any obvious addition or upgrade.
They carried existing needs until the trade deadline and relied on late deals and signings.
‘Making crap up as they go along’ is exactly how it felt. And it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the highly ambitious franchise quarterback, who began the off-season calling for superstars, understood this just as much as a random blogger from Rotherham.
There almost feels like a complacency surrounding the team at the moment. There’s an air of being too defensive when a more honest analysis would be worthwhile. I think that is how Wilson feels too. If he can’t initiate change then I do think he will ask to be traded — whether that’s later this year or in 2022.
I’ll refer back to my off-season plan, published two weeks ago. The Seahawks need some serious roster surgery that is going to require making some very difficult decisions.
It’s time to shift resource from linebacker and safety and truly build around Wilson. That means a talent infusion on the offensive line, with a desire to have a top-10, if not top-five ranked line in 2021. It also means acquiring one more weapon if not two, plus adding a serious lead running back.
On defense, you’ve just got to find a way. My idea is to bring in young, hungry, fast players with a point to prove. That’s how you built a Championship team before and while you’ll never recreate the LOB — it’s simply not sustainable to be investing what you are at linebacker and safety.
Keeping calm and carrying on isn’t an option. Creating a bit of room to bring in the 2021 class of B.J. Finney’s and Cedric Ogbuehi’s shouldn’t be a consideration. At the moment there’s no viable way to create great depth or add talented veterans — so some tough decisions need to be embraced, not shirked.
On top of that — while Carroll may have previously hoped to end his career doing things his way, it’s time to place his faith in the new offensive coordinator and the most expensive player on the roster. Shane Waldron has hardly come from a system that doesn’t run the ball. I doubt Wilson wants to throw 60 times a game either unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Take a step back and relinquish some control. We all carry hopes and ideals but life rarely fits an exact blueprint. Is it more important to build the team exactly how you want? Is it so vital to force the quarterback to play the way you want to, daring him to request a trade and creating a negative dynamic? Or does there need to be an acceptance that the NFL has changed, quarterback-power has never been stronger thanks to Tom Brady’s exploits and opponents need to be kept guessing week-to-week?
That’s not to suggest Carroll has ignored Wilson or not taken his advice in the past. But it’s time to go further for the sake of the franchise. And if things go south during a tricky part of the season, that’s the time to double-down on your star player, not wrestle back control.
The relationship clearly isn’t in a good place and that needs to be addressed immediately.
If the Seahawks just try and manoeuvre their way through a difficult off-season without any serious philosophical or roster change, we won’t hear the end of this latest saga until Wilson is dealt.
More importantly, we won’t see the Seahawks become serious challengers again. Because frankly, they’re not close to the Super Bowl at the moment.
You don’t have to agree entirely with all of Wilson’s concerns or Cowherd’s comments. But Pete Carroll faces a period of serious self-reflection and it’s not overly dramatic to say the future of the franchise rests on his next move.
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I’m very curious to see how the Seahawks play this in the media.
I still feel like their game of footsie with Clowney all last year had tactical leaks by both sides in the media. The Seahawks ‘lost’ that particular game. So far, the only thing close to a rejoinder from the FO is Dan Patrick reporting the day after his RW interview that the FO wasn’t happy.
But the leaks and responses from the RW side keep coming. So is there another response from the team coming?
Right about now, if the combine were on, PC and maybe JS would be giving interviews and no doubt asked about it.
So while they can toast to their relief that they’re not, there is still a vacuum.
Let’s put it this way…
This isn’t suddenly going to disappear and then a month goes by and free agency starts.
I’m intrigued to see what the next development is.
For sure.
Joe Fann just wrote “signing Jamal Adams is Priority #1 for the Seahawks.”
No, Joe. This is priority #1.
Yeah… Jamal Adams being paid mega money is not the #1 priority.
It certainly SHOULDN’T be. Let’s hope Fann is wrong.
Hopefully that will end the same way as last off-seasons No.1 priority. i.e., with Adams gone.
There’s just way to much (insert word) blowing in the wind for this to be merely smoke! I sure hope the Seahawks leadership is all huddled in a room somewhere talking about things, and trying to identify a path forward.
I sure hope Pete, John, someone from the organization is talking with Russ and Mark Rodgers, trying to figure out what it will take to make this relationship work! Seems that would be so much more productive than both sides continuing to lob media volleys back and forth.
Maybe they should also think about putting John (or even Pete) in front of a camera to discuss the situation, rather than staying on the sidelines!
100%. But don’t bank on large swathes of the fan base or certain members of the media paying it much attention.
I really hope that’s true. I suspect we won’t find out until the new league year — and free agency — begins.
I think at the moment speaking publicly can only make the situation worse. What they need to do is have a serious bout of self-reflection, come up with a proper blueprint to returning to serious contention, make it so convincing that everyone has to buy in and then get on with it.
This is the problem right here. If the front office is just now taking action, it’s too late for the marriage to work. It would be another classic Pete Carroll knee-jerk ‘making crap up as they go along’ move. Maybe his masterpiece.
This should have been handled last offseason. Russ gave a mandate.
The team’s response was to put together a rubbish defense, get Greg Olsen and let Russ open up the offense for a handful of games, then yank it right back as soon as the offense wasn’t bailing that rubbish defense out.
After a ratty playoff loss, the HC and OC parted ways. The HC and QB had meetings and discussions.
And now a month later the QB is making his dissatisfaction public. It hasn’t been for a lack of these two guys getting in a room and expressing their preferences.
I would wager that Pete has tried to do the ‘advice and consent’ route with Russ and then ignored him. I’ll listen to what you want, get you to sign off on some things as a token gesture that I’m serious in addressing your concerns, then run things the way I want to.
Well, you can only do that so many times.
Since you were in the room with Pete and Russ, care to venture what else they spoke. Look, if I had to choose b/w Russ and Pete, I would take Russ bcos this is a QB driven league. It doesn’t mean you go and throw everyone under the bus. As for JS, don’t you think it’s a little far fetched. If JS is just nodding his head for Pete, he would have taken the Lions gig since it gives him more control! I am just tired of your guys over dramatizing this situation. It’s bad and it’s mainly b/w Pete and Russ. Now, don’t just don’t pile on that your hate for Pete.
We all agree Pete needs accountability but does the franchise QB who seems to have shown none for his bad performance last year. Russ might think he has no limitations but ask the OCs who have coached him. You will get a different answer. Both these parties have truth on their side. Question is: will they both let go of egos and work together?
‘Your hate for Pete’
What are we, 14 years old?
As sympathetic as I am to Wilson’s frustrations, this feels a bit like one of my biggest pet peeves: People who throw a problem on the table and rub everyone’s noses in it, then walk out of the room yelling over their shoulder “I want that fixed before I get back!”
I’ll never say that Schneider and Carroll are blame-free. They have made plenty of mistakes in the way they’ve built and managed the franchise. But they’ve also made a number of brilliant moves (admittedly more in the early years than in recent). But at the end of the day, Wilson got the huge contract he wanted and deserved. So did Bobby Wagner. The team has shown that it can make difficult decisions when necessary (Sherman, Bennett, Thomas) in order to fit other stars’ contract demands under the cap. And sometimes, as with Tampa this year, the stars align and you have enough of your young, talented players on early contracts and effective veteran players on late-career contracts, that you can pay your quarterback 1/4 of your salary cap.
But it doesn’t seem reasonable to expect any franchise to be able to make those stars align year after year for 10 years. Especially for a team like Seattle which, despite the problems are consistently successful enough to draft in the last third of the round. So they’re stuck in a perfect storm of limited salary cap space due to two or three players, and consistently low draft picks. In some ways they’re a victim of their own success.
While we’re considering Brady in Tampa as a comparison, we also ought to consider how he was consistently willing to alter his contract to free up resources to bring in the assets that he was demanding.
Is it that? Or is it a guy with probably the only power and sway in the organisation to initiate change, doing what he can to try and make that necessary change happen?
And would you rather that or Wilson feel like the Seahawks aren’t really going anywhere, not say anything and just waste the remaining years of his career?
My opinion (and that’s all it is – the opinion of an arm chair GM) is that if Wilson has an idea of what change is necessary and wants to initiate that change, he should go to Pete and John privately, share his thoughts with them, and more importantly share with them his vision for how HE can contribute to that vision. There’s a difference between pointing out that change needs to happen and pitching in to make it happen.
Again, in my opinion it will take more luck than skill to be able to fix the problems that need fixing with the available cap space and draft capital. We can complain all we want about the missteps that led to the loss of draft capital, but the draft is rarely an instant fix anyway. The most effective fix for Wilson’s own complaint is free agency. And no amount of merely pointing out the need for change is going to generate cap room without either losing some important players or some important players giving up money. There is simply no way for Wilson and the team to eat their cake and keep it too. Maybe it’s unfair of me, but it feels very much like that’s what Wilson is asking the team to figure out how to do.
Totally Agree again KHF. I wish the same; would rather have the conversation behind closed doors. Then, if no resolution, he demand a trade internally vs. The passive aggressive approach it appears Russ has been employing.
They’ve had these discussions internally.
You might want Wilson to lurch straight from that to demanding his release. He might be more invested in trying to make this work and force the change he thinks needs to happen.
He has done this.
I agree with you. What did Wilson expect to happen when they couldn’t afford these players after contract expires and most of their cap went to him. Hey Wilson you got your money now the team suffers because they can’t afford more stars under the cap so shut the he’ll up and enjoy your pay and pla
I guess I’ll just have to keep repeating this:
But then maybe Russell Wilson could do something no other quarterbacks or other highly paid players do and pay $5m back to the Seahawks so PCJS can give it to Branden Jackson and Joey Hunt. Or 2/3 of a Bruce Irvin.
And then there’s the fact the Seahawks spent $50m last year, used three first round picks, a second rounder and two third rounders. Clearly that wasn’t enough and Wilson should’ve given them even more.
Come on people.
What’s lacking is accountability from all parties. You can take sides but I prefer not to. There’s issues on both sides of the camp (Pete and Russ). Piling all the issues on one side helps no one.
The greater problems though rest with Pete.
That’s not picking sides, that’s just a fact IMO
Anytime Pete and a star player have butted heads the star player has been in a new uniform the following season. If not for the $38 mil dead cap hit I think it would be a certainty. As it is I would put the odds at 20% this year and 80% next.
You hit the nail on the head with the ultimate issue being ownership. On a team with a real owner this would not be happening.
Honestly–and I posted this in a previous thread–I have to imagine that in any conflict between a future-HOF quarterback and a coach who’s delivered a single playoff win in the previous four years, the future HOF QB should probably win.
Epic article!! I first came to SDB around 2010 or so and was super interested in the draft, but now, this is the good shit!
Thanks — for sticking with it for over a decade and for the kind words
It sounds like Pete Carroll is the one who needs to go.
Its such a tough argument to have. Players love the culture that Pete brings and Im not sure a new coach can bring it. Thst being said it might be one or the other to go. Who would the owner choose? Personally I think it would be Russ.
I think most should say Russ. It certainly hasn’t been the coaching getting you to the playoffs the last few years…
Just my opinion, but the coach is always, always, always more important than the player. But as Rob suggests (I think), we’re probably past the rights and wrongs of this, each party in the relationship feels the way they feel and sometimes (all the time?) that’s more important than whether they are right to feel that way.
The question seems to be how does Pete placate Russ while still doing things in a way they can philosophically live with? Because if they just start letting a player dictate changes, they really *will* be just making up crap as they go along. FWIW, I don’t think they’ve done that. They’ve seemed pretty consistent to me. Pete is clear about what he wants: a physical running game combined with chunk plays on offense, a physical, smothering defense keyed by the back end, simple schemes that let athletes play fast. Maybe they’ve made bad choices but their moves seem to be aiming towards those objectives. Poured tons of draft capital into the OL. Drafted Penny to get back to a bellcow back. Drafted guys like Brooks, Barton, and Blair to get faster and tougher at LB and box safety.
Maybe there’s no saving the relationship. Stay together 1 more year for the kids (the dead cap hit), try to show Russ that with this new OC (and maybe a new OL starter and healthy RB situation) things are looking up, and part ways if it hasn’t improved. You know the saying, no matter how good-looking a woman is, there’s somebody somewhere who is tired of their s***. That’s Russ for me. This media tour, his nickel-squeezing agent, the magazine covers and perfume ads and whatnot, I’m over it.
I disagree about the value of the coach superseding the QB. Perhaps a great coach can make a mediocre QB more effective and win a championship despite them, but this is the exception. I call it the Dilfer rule.
More often, a great QB (like Brady) can win without the best coach, or even a great coach. Montana won 3x with Walsh, and another with Seifert. Seifert won another Lombardi in 1995, but was that his coaching, or was it Steve Young’s greatness?
Andy Reid didn’t win a title until he was paired up with the sublime Mahomes. Yet he’s considered a truly “great” coach.
I love the culture that Pete espouses, though I wonder how sincere it is. “Always Compete” hasn’t been the case for a long time. Players say they love the culture, but that hasn’t translated into retaining FA any better than other teams.
This hit hard. Difficult hearing things I’ve been thinking for a while but really just afraid to nail down. I like Pete as a human but this is such a tiring team as of late. Awesome work again Rob, always appreciated
Thanks DW
I think both Pete and Wilson would be successful without the other. The problem has been doing things trying to please both over the past few years, which is what gives the “maki g things up as they go” vibe. Schneider is drafting. Acquiring talent, etc. with both sides in opposition. If I had to bet though, I’d put money on Pete with an elite defense, run game, and a game manager to win a SB before Wilson eating up 15% of the cap, on a the like the Saints. Of Brees and Payton couldn’t get another, why would Payton and Wilson? Wilson is more limited than Brees, and will only get more limited as he ages. Interesting time to be a fan, and I just have to say to Rob, thank you for your writing, and this space on the internet. Pretty surreal seeing this as a story everywhere when you were raising a flag on it months before. Cheers.
Thanks Parker
Question: what options do they have to create cap space? Specifically, who would be traded/cut/resigned and how much would be saved?
Secondly, why isn’t the contract of the highest paid player ever scrutinized in terms of cap space it eats up? I’m not dumb and realize you have to make your star satisfied with their contract in comparison to other players salaries. BUt, why isn’t that called into question? When Wilson takes up almost a quarter of the teams salary then complains about not having enough talent around him, isn’t he his own enemy?! I hate hearing these guys are signing $40m contracts and talking about winning rings being their goal. It’s the ultimate selfish move. Granted, Seattle has squandered their money the past several years on borderline free agent talent. But, can’t Wilson live a stars life on say $25m a year? Throw in endorsements on top of that and he should be content…to say the least. So, how about putting the team ahead of yourself by not taking up so much of the pie. Or, stop complaining about the lack of funds to attract talent to Seattle. Why are they allowed to eat so much of the pie and bitch about there not being enough to satisfy everyone else without being called out for it?! Seems like hypocrisy to me.
https://seahawksdraftblog.com/my-off-season-plan-for-the-seahawks
This is scrutinised all the time. But here’s a fact that people don’t seem willing to acknowledge.
Tom Brady’s cap hit this season was $28,375,000. It will be $28,375,000 next season too.
Russell Wilson’s cap hit this season was $31,000,000 and next season it will be $32,000,000.
So we can argue about cap hits for legit franchise quarterbacks but the difference between Brady and Wilson is Jacob Hollister. That’s it.
Because their complaints aren’t about not spending enough money. Their complaints are about bad decision making, inflexibility, unwillingness to adapt, bad spending and more.
Thank you for saying that. I get so sick and tired of the argument that the reason Pete Carroll and John Schneider have led the Seahawks to such a crap roster position is because the QB makes too much money. So dumb.
Gee, might have more to do with taking Malik McDowell over TJ Watt, Penny over Chubb, trading all future unborns for Jamal Adams, or outbidding other teams for bums like Finney. Gotta get that “priority” signing the first week of free agency! Can’t lose out on Finney! Let’s give him $8 million over a couple years! Darn Russell Wilson contract! It’s your fault the team signed all those bum free agents instead of using it on actual good players!
Thank you from me too. I wish folks would see the truth about RW’s cap hit and the shit decisions we’ve seen over the last several years (as Bobby touched on).
Second guessing draft picks is pointless. Every GM in every sport, ever, would be fired on the basis of passing on someone that turns out to be better than the guy they picked.
It’s not second guessing when you spend weeks/months talking about what they should do, as Bobby K did, only to be proven completely right.
So on top of Wilson being treated like a rookie QB game manager, and not having any say in the direction of the team, you want him to say yes to a big pay cut?
Has anyone aside from Brady when in NE ever done what you’re suggesting? In any sport? Or in any job on the planet?
Wilson deserves every penny. He’s played his heart out for this team, and it’s fans.
I’m guessing the only ones who have done this are guys with super model wives that make 3 times what they do.
.
.
.
.
In other words nobody.
I’ll believe that when I hear Russell Wilson say it. I don’t trust sports media any more than I trust all media. No one gets to speak for another person.
Ah yes, the big bad media.
And when they report something inconvenient, just pretend they’ve made it up. Then you don’t have to deal with uncomfortable information.
It happens more than you guys think.
https://www.thesportster.com/entertainment/top-15-athletes-not-in-it-for-the-money/
Why is John S still our GM? And I don’t mean this in the way you might think.
If John doesn’t have the power to be a true GM and personnel guy, why is he still here? Even more so why did he take a 5-year extension? He is recognized as a talented GM in the league and he could enrich any franchise he could go to. Why is he still here?
I can only hope that part of the reason for the uncertainty about Schneider leaving or staying at the start of the year had to do with him asking for a little more control and because he stayed, he got it. Obviously there is no way of knowing this for sure. But I have had similar thoughts as you. Or maybe I’m just reaching and dreaming that somehow Pete has a little less control over roster construction.
Schneider, like Pete, has been coasting on past achievements for too many years. I don’t understand the continuing reverence for either. Schneider’s most notable accomplishment since the glorious drafts of yore are nebulous … he grew an ugly-ass beard, I’ll give him that. Name a street after Pete, erect a statue … but send him packing to make his $ on the motivational speaker circuit, where his BS will no doubt impress corporate audiences. But keep him away from a football field. Russ would have no need, nor desire I think, to enhance his power if he played for a fully-competent coach.
I’ve never gotten the impression that John is a coaster. He is a doer, so I don’t buy your premise that they are both coasting on past achievements. I believe they are both motivated individuals trying to do the best they can in their profession. Which makes me wonder why John is still here.
I accept that both are diligent in their duties, and are trying their best – but is that good enough? Better wording on my part might be to say that both enjoy lofty reputations based on accomplishments of many seasons ago. Arguable, no doubt, but that’s the way I see it. “What have you done for me lately?” must be, in the world of professional sports, a perfectly appropriate question
While JS may be responsible for some dubious moves. It feels to me like the bad ones are more PC influenced. Let’s face it, the on the field stuff has been questionable. We KNOW that is PC. I cant say for certain what level of influence PC has on the draft and trade decisions, but every coach informs their GM who to prioritize. But if you make dubious choices in one arena, its not surprising if it happens in two.
Now RW hinting at his displeasure. The OC having “philosophical differences”. There’s one common denominator in the bunch.
Jamal Adams screamed a PC guy. He didn’t scream a JS guy.
All decisions are Pete’s decisions. John works the numbers, makes the phone calls, but he does it at Pete’s direction.
Roy, if it’s indeed true true that all major personnel decisions are made by Pete, then I certainly withdraw my negative remarks about John. However, I’ve read somewhere that Pete didn’t want to draft Russ, but John made the decision to get Wilson. Is that true, or am I off-base here? It was a great decision regardless of who gets the credit. I loved young Fran Tarkenton, watching the Vikings on the old Admiral b&w tv when I was a little kid. When Russ emerged, I instantly realized that he was Tarkenton reborn, only better.
Wow, you just showed your aged, dude! I love it. I watched Fran on an old B&W and he was one of my favorite players…so many from back then! Loved Lenny Dawson too and being an old Cowboy fan…can I get me some Don Meredith and Danny white while we’re at it. Thanks for the nudge to the old noggin!
Fair points all, Mike.
Pete Carroll’s NFL head coaching record without Russell Wilson (or a franchise QB) is 46-49.
Carroll was a 6-10 loser with the Jets. Carroll’s Patriots got worse every year until he was finally fired. Carroll had two consecutive losing seasons with the Seahawks before Wilson was drafted.
When current and former NFL players make fun of your offense for being “1980s football,” for curren players – that has got to be frustrating to play for and embarrassing when your peers notice.
My favorite quote is/was, “Doesn’t it feel kinda like Seattle is making up crap as they go?” That hits the nail right on the head! No truer words can be spoken about the “direction” of this organization.
There has been no long-term vision for this franchise in a long time. The way they addressed the pass “rush” last off-season was a combination of shameful and embarrassing. The Jamal Adams trade only proves they have no f-ing clue what they’re doing anymore. It’s like they’re playing darts with a blindfold and will do whatever the hell weird thing the dart board tells them they must do by hitting a certain spot. No matter how ridiculous.
They have spent the last six draft years circling down a toilet bowl. While they have found a few starters, overall it’s been rough. Between the Clowney incident, which I felt should have been decided in May, and the Adams incident where they paid way too many first round draft picks, it’s just been a cluster duck. I place the blame squarely on Pete Carroll’s shoulders for that. I don’t think he should be involved in the draft or assigning free agent values anymore.
Every year I have hopes that things will improve. But overall they just get worse. So – let Pete be the mouth of the organization and provide leadership. What is he doing getting down in the weeds?? That is what you hire coaches for. Ms. Allen may just have to make a decision – she can empower John Schneider if she wants too. And Russell Wilson. Someone has to spell things out to all parties.
Anyway – even though this is a pretty negative post, I actually think they drafted pretty well last year with 3-4 starters out of seven. If second round pick Taylor can become a starter, we will look back on it being an excellent draft, if he doesn’t I would still consider it to be above average compared to their usual. It was the free agent side that got screwed up last year.
I have to wonder if the Seahawks – scouting department – needs some significant upgrade & changes, get some guys that know how to evaluate players much much better? GIGI may apply here. With garbage input you can expect garbage output.
There’s a lot said about formation & tactics, in every sport, but to my mind, these are relatively unimportant. What is important is building a team that can execute them & in this the Seahawks have demonstrably failed.
I remember doing some soul searching after the loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. I was convinced that the Hawks would be perennial favorites for at least 3-4 years. Didn’t work out that way. And I wondered how a team could consistently compete for a championship instead of just showing up and making an early playoff exit.
1. Draft well. Build your offensive and defensive lines through the draft. This lets you get the core players at a cheap price (in terms of salary cap) and you can have team control for a long time.
2. Be smart with contract extensions. When a player approaches the performance cliff, you need to be ahead of things and trade/cut them.
3. Make smart FA acquisitions to fill gaps in your team, but don’t rely on FA too much since the cost can be high.
4. Limit trades to bargains, never be the high bidder. Be patient and wait til another team needs to move someone in a buyer’s market. Trade your own players when the reward is there.
All of these require patience, but more importantly, excellent player evaluation. You need to be able to scout and evaluate the college players. You need to know the FA market and evaluate how well the players will fit in with your team’s philosophy. You need to be effective in evaluating the players on your own roster.
So I watched and waited. Here’s how I grade the Hawks since that SB loss:
1. Drafting – C
There have been some good players picked, but none at an appropriate draft position. And far far too many long shots, or projects, or conversions from offense to defense. My gut is that Pete (and Scot M) knew a lot of upcoming players in college from Pete’s USC days that he was able to target. Once those three or four draft classes were gone, Pete’s insider knowledge was gone as well.
2. Contract extensions – C
“Rewarding Kam” was one of the worst. Pay for future performance, don’t reward the past.
3. FA – C
The only reason I don’t give them an F is because of Bradley McDougald. Eddie Lacy, Cary Williams, Ed Dickson, Greg Olsen, BJ Finney, J’Marcus Webb, Blair Walsh, Ziggy Ansah, Luke Joeckel, need I say more?
4. Trades – C
Frank Clark will forever sting, but depending on how the Hawks deal with Jamal Adams, it might get worse. Every trade has been a bandaid; Sheldon Richardson, then Clowney. These were offset by Duane Brown and Diggs, but these were low pick trades, not firsts.
So in terms of player management, I give the Hawks a C. What we’ve seen in the last 7 years is the team succeeding primarily because of one or two players consistently dominating at their position. Unfortunately, both are players that might be elsewhere shortly.
Thank you Rob for being willing to delve into what is conceivably an issue with the team and has been for a while. From the second Super Bowl and Pete deciding to pass and not run it in with ML.
Then systematically getting rid of all the objectors, at least those that were willing to speak publicly about it. Makes sense of what was going on then.
If I had one hope it would be for some of the local media to gather the same intestinal fortitude and tell it like you are, only in the hopes of maybe resolving it, instead of the usual ra-ra everything is great bullshit
I think Russ was willing to be a team carol player until Father Time has started telling him different.
Thanks Lawrie
“IMM-PETE-CHH PETE!!!”
That aerial banner is inching closer…
Imperious writing, as ever. Really hoping something drastic happens either way rather than just stumbling through a festering offseason.
Thanks SebA
I’ve said it over and over. When they signed Wilson to his new contract, the Seahawks basically bought a Lamborghini, drove it right to Hilltop, parked it with the keys in the ignition and left it unlocked…and expected it to NOT get stolen and chopped. They’ve left him with zero protection. Nothing of any worthwhile note at least. How could you NOT make protecting Wilson a priority? Ughhhhh….
And they have no intention of ever driving it again!
Great article Rob. This is coming to a head one way or another. I still think Seahawks will not trade Russell. Russell and his camp talked (ultimatum) PC into letting Russ cook last year. I suspect Pete will eventually budge again, grudgingly or willingly. The other tough call, as you said, is constructing the roster within the lowered CAP. There are major decisions to be made this off-season. Paying $36M to a safety and a MLB would make this much more difficult than it already is.
One final thought, I saw the interview with Schlereth on the Herd. Colin spoke about Russell and his unhappiness, etc. Mark circled back to “he didn’t like how RW raised the issue and threw his OL under the bus. And some of the fault lays with Russell for hanging on to the ball too long and running into sacks”. I thought it was curious how Colin made an instant pivot and moved on to the next topic right away. Not even a single follow up question to probe Mark’s comment.
Thanks Bruce.
In fairness to Cowherd — that’s what he does in those segments. He races through topics, there’s no back and forth. It’s just… ‘what do you think about this’ and then onto the next subject.
You’re probably right. At the moment I took it as he didn’t want to go down that road and talk negatively about Russell (being his platform to vent and all).
Everybody knows Russ will hang onto the ball if he has too. Since we all know that, wouldn’t it make sense to hire the best offensive line you can get to protect him? But wait , there’s more. They can also block for that star running back that the Seahawks desire.
Personally I think Russell’s frustration comes from the way the last two years ended. I think he desperatly wants to win an MVP award and he has been the front runner mid season the last two years. I also believe for sure that this is a Pete vs Russ thing and not necessarily a Seahawks vs Russ thing. Can he win an MVP with Pete as his coach? I dont think he can unless he gives full control of the offense to Waldron. Will he do that? I guess we will find out.
When massive egos collide….
Let me say this about Russell Wilson. One major reason that Wilson gets so many sacks is because of Wilson himself. Two major reasons. A) He holds onto the ball too long. B) He looks for the deep throw too often. Tom Brady is not afraid to look for the check down throw. Brady wants gets rid of the ball as soon as possible. Where Russell Wilson is constantly looking for the deep pass. He is addicted to the both long pass and his 140mil arm. Russell Wilson is the best deep thrower in the game. But he needs to look for the check down. Russell Wilson does make a ton of big plays. But he also gets a ton of sacks. When Brady was at New England he was not afraid to throw to his RBs and TEs. Brady won 6 Super Bowls at New England by throwing a ton of short and intermediate passes. And the occasional deep ball. Russell Wilson compares himself to Patrick Mahomes not Tom Brady. But Tom Brady has seven Super Bowl rings. And quess what? The ONLY time Brady won the Super Bowl in a blowout was when Belichick was NOT on the sidelines. Now Brady threw Pete Carroll under the bus. And yes Pete Carroll loves to throw shots down the field. But so does RW. A
Allso Russell Wilson wants his cake. And he also want to ear it as well. You can’t squeeze EVERY last nickle out of an organization and then gave superior players at every position on the team. Tom Brady took big time salary cut to field a winning Super Bowl. I am sorry you can’t have it BOTH ways. Tom Brady lead by example. When the Patriot players see that Tom Brady was willing to take a pay cut he set example for his teammates. Russell Wilson also set an example. Wilson squeezed every last penny out the Seahawk organization. Wilson can hardly expect his team mass make a when he himself is not willing to make a sacrifice. RW she be looking to compare himself to Brady. Not Mahomes.
This isn’t about Russell’s contract. The team had $50m to spend last year and half the guys they signed barely even made it onto the field.
Q?
Maybe the business model isn’t working BECAUSE of RW and actually not Pete Carroll ?.
Philosophically I believe in Pete’s principles and have seen it work. Offensively balance and able to create explosive plays, defensively balanced and able to limit them. Much of what is done is universally successful not just because of the scheme but also execution.
Yes they’ve gone for it and it’s now created some issues where maybe they can’t get the players to execute it at a high enough level, but that’s the same for every scheme. Scheme and philosophy doesn’t win by itself.
But maybe RW is the biggest problem now to running and adopting this scheme and philosophy. Maybe him being less mobile nor able to check down or execute a good intermediate passing game is the problem? He can’t extend plays any longer, so we need to improve the OL? Other great QBs don’t necessarily need better OLs. If we don’t get a competitive advantage with RW not needing a top 10 OL at his cap hit then maybe it’s question of scheme and philosophy fit? Likewise we’ve changed OCs but can he adapt and more importantly execute a different scheme to make the offense less predictable and more productive?
While I think Pete and John could’ve managed better, do we really win if we change our spots? Maybe RW will be the biggest issue and just can’t support philosophy and scheme to be a competitive enough team and win another SB.
Please feel free to counter as this is clearly not discussing the past failings of PCJS building up the current roster, but I’m just trying to figure out how to move best forward either with or without RuW
Guess what I’m saying is maybe we need to bow it up and trade RW because it looks like, given current resouces, we are stuck in mediocrity. Good enough to win, never a good enough SB contender.
If we can’t surround him with a good enough team to run Pete’s scheme, rebuild and suffer short term. He won’t be here longer term by the time the ship gets sorted.
Yup. This is my view as well. Carroll wants to run Pete Ball, well then get players that can run Pete Ball. A bruiser RB + OL. A game manager, rookie deal QB. And a suffocating pass rush. Not whatever they have now
Better get 2 bruising RBs, if this is the scheme
The poor off seasons and consistently being our coached makes me disagree I’m afraid
Not only outcoached but also unable to build the team he desires. Where is the star running back? Where are the great cornerbacks? What happened to the defensive line? It’s like watching USC go from being the bullies of the PAC to Cinderella heading to the prom.
As you and others have stated before, the Hawks win scant few games with any other QB. Wilson has bailed the team out so many times, that it became an expected outcome. When Wilson struggled, the Hawks were fortunate enough to play crappy teams down the stretch this past season. If they faced good to really good teams, they never would have made the playoffs. They would have had high first round picks every single year the last 5 years.
Bill Walsh use to say the guys tune out a coach after 10 years.
Half that time for Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.
Great article Rob! Lots to digest but it occurs to me that if RW goes to the Raiders as some have predicted he will be up against Mahomes and Herbert just to win the AFC West. Tough sledding especially since the Raiders will have to gut their team to acquire RW.
Thanks
In fairness while that’s true on Mahomes and Herbert, there’s no Aaron Donald, Chandler Jones or Nick Bosa…
Joey Bosa tho, Derwin James too (if he’s healthy). If the Chargers ever get proper coaching and proper medical staff, they will challenge KC regularly for the division imo because they do have the QB in place now.
It might be funny watching Frank Clark chase Russ. Frank is still in his prime. Russ, however, is not as quick as he used to be.
It’s during times like this where I ponder how things would have turned out had we ran the ball on the 1 yard line instead.
Or if RW hadn’t made such a terrible throw. Amazing how little blame he gets for that SB losing interception. Bad call or not, it’s on the players to execute. His little game winning visualizations should take into account the location of the other teams players…
That play was on two things…
1. Bad decision on what type of pass to use in that scenario
2. Putting it on Lockette and Kearse to execute
Yes. One of Pete’s most successful misdirections ever was to lure the postgame media into the pass v. run debate for that play, focusing on Marshawn and the clock. And the media took the bait. There was far too little attention paid to how that particular pass call was simply bad–throwing a pass to a 4th string receiver running directly into the teeth of an endzone defense stacked in the middle to defend against a Lynch run, relying on Kearse to muscle Browner, the list goes on. If Russ had thrown that ball down and into Lockette’s gut, it COULD have worked, but that was simply a poorly conceived play for that situation. And Pete would only talk about why to pass and not run.
For all else you can say about him, good and bad, Pete’s ability to co-opt and manipulate the media is first rate.
The route didn’t even take Lockette INTO the end zone. It was no different than the crappy ending to the Niners game in 2019. People can point their fingers to whichever player they want, but the real culprit is on the sideline, whether its Pete, Bevell or Schotty.
Yep, a pass there wasn’t a horrible call but throwing into the middle of the field with congestion was as was throwing to your ST gunner playing WR. A fade, while low percentage would’ve also been low risk and if incomplete you have 2 more plays to put it on ‘Shawn.
All that said, I have also wondered many times what the alternative universe is like where the Seahawks score that TD and win the title.
I feel your pain. But Marshawn I’ve been stopped at the goal line many times that year. I was so proud I have my fellow 12s in a couple days later there was a poll on what the play should have been. The winner was a PA bootleg.
The mistake will always be throwing it to your 5th wideout with the game on the line. Giving Russ a pass with the option to run to this day is their best goal line play.
Everybody with an opinion on that play needs to watch ‘Do Your Job’. There was no problem with play design, personnel, pass vs. run, or execution.
IF there was any problem, it was with predictability. The Patriots scouted Seattle well and knew they liked to run that play on the goal line. Butler was coached to come over the top if the receivers were close enough together thus effectively jumping the route.
If Seattle had instead instructed Lockette to jab step inside then break outside, Butler would have been hung out to dry.
The DB normally will work around the pick and trail the receiver, which is exactly what Wilson was coached to expect. Leading the receiver slightly was the exact correct throw if the DB is trailing. Wilson was keying off of Browner to make sure he wasn’t jumping the route. As Browner was engaged with Kearse, Wilson believed he had an easy touchdown and the throw was perfect.
The team and the fan base continue to be haunted and torn apart by what was simply a great play by Butler and excellent coaching from BB and his staff.
Pete was dumbfounded by how the Patriots played the play and Wilson didn’t even know what happened. He asked Pete and Pete, in shock, told him that they jumped the route, which meant they knew what was coming, because they did.
So as good as Wilson undoubtedly is, at what point will teams who may be interested start to think ‘hang on, what will happen as soon as things don’t go well or not as Wilson wants, what will he say or do?’.
Well any buying team is going to give him what he wants.
And having a legit franchise QB or not is going to be their main concern
Wilson doesn’t exactly have a history of shooting his mouth off to the media or being critical of the team at the drop of a hat.
Doesn’t this feel like an issue that has been brewing for years?
I believe Wilson regrets signing his extension. I would not be surprised if there were explicit promises made to him when that deal was being done that he feels, either rightly or wrongly, have not been kept.
Very good point about RW not being one to shoot off his mouth. That actually adds credence to what he’s saying now.
I think your speculation about promises made and not kept could be possible as well. It is definitely speculation, but educated speculation none the less.
And it took him nearly 10 years to “shoot his mouth off”. Not a deal breaker.
I think Pete understands that his record without Wilson would not be good. As long as he is coach and Wilson is under contract, it is possible that Pete will be unwilling to trade him even if Wilson asks for it. Carroll has his legacy to think of. They might expect Wilson to suck it up and honor his contract. Then Wilson can leave as an UFA.
Leaves as an UFA, comes back with a couple of bros, and acquire the darn franchise.
How’s that, legacy wise?
I’m going to predict that Wilson will not be at Seattle by the start of 2022 season.
My reason – when two massive characters such as Pete and Russ go head to head within a team, especially when one has dragged the discussion into the media – which RW has, and as you have pointed out many times there are big holes to fill, poorly rated across the team and no cap room to improve dramatically, this could be darker than you think maybe Russ sees this and also feels its a long road before the Hawks are Superbowl ready and has taken a deliberate course to force his way out.
PC will feel this and considering PC is in full charge of Seattle Seahawks until new owners have purchased the club it will be for Wilson to back down on the criticisms as when you are pointing out deficiency/weakness within a team and not following ‘we are in this together’ you are basically pointing fingers at fellow teammates. (DK often showed he displeasure at the end of season – was that at Russ or the Pete?).
Training camp will be very frosty
As for Seattle I don’t think they will let Wilson go this off season as for me only the Jets and Dolphins can afford him with their draft capital.
Prediction – we start with Wilson and with a tough division everything thing goes tits up, trade Wilson at the end of the season and reset.
Tough season ahead for Pete, John, Russ, teammates and The 12s with the fall-out that is beginning to unfold
Great write-up, Rob! Excellent dissection of the problems facing Seattle.
I disagree that Jody Allen deserves no blame. She is ultimately responsible for empowering Carrol to micromanage the team to death. She had years to prepare for taking over the team: while I’m quite sure Allen tried to sell the team and wanted to see them passed on to a good owner before his death, and that he expected Jody to sell ASAP if he died, there’s no way Paul didn’t do some planning for what actually happened. Also, if Jody did nothing to prepare herself for owning the team, that’s unconscionable and incompetent.
And no matter how you slice this crap cake, she is responsible for this mess and has overseen it. I expect no more and no less than I would from anyone in her shoes: and trusting a 70 year old coach to run everything unchecked is the worst idea I can think of short of selling the team to a Behring or a Trump.
In fairness, she didn’t ask to be in this position; the situation was forced upon her. Also, selling/buying a team is a massively complicated process. Anyone who has bought a house knows how tedious the process is with lawyers, inspections, negotiations, contracts, payment plans, banks, etc. I can’t imagine how insanely complicated a multi-billion dollar transaction with so many variables is.
Yes she is responsible. Fortunately a rich person can hire a competent manager who knows about football. She doesn’t have to do anything but hire someone that can give orders. In fact she already has that someone in John Schneider. Separate Pete and Johns duties, with each enabled to manage in their own area of competence. Then lay down the law on how to treat Russell Wilson. If you buy into him running the offense, then let him run the offense.
At times like this I wonder what all these other people do. Like Chuck Armstrong as team president. Does this man have no power or influence outside of deciding who goes in the Ring of Honor? Who is Jody Allen’s go to person for the organization? It can’t be just PCJS. Surely there are aspects of the team that require separation from the Owner to the Head Coach. Again, does this person have no say or influence? If Jody Allen comes out tomorrow and tells PC to give Russ what he wants, what happens then? Would PC quit?
Something is gonna happen soon. I continue to be in wait and see (sea?) mode.
Darn it, our “guy” getting buzz according to Jim Nagy:
https://twitter.com/JimNagy_SB/status/1362037927077769223
BTW, I didn’t just latch on to him because he’s the tallest out there but because, of those with +32″ arms, to my eye he had the best feet and hips of those at the Sr. Bowl.
As of today, if I had to bet the house on one player landing in Seattle this draft it would be him, the length, play style and expected range are all right within their wheelhouse for corners.
Hopefully the buzz doesn’t get too great.
I don’t know, I think there are still a few question marks on him. Like zero career INTs, for example. But yeah, you’d have to believe he’s the ideal raw material Pete would like to get his hands on as far as physical and athletic profile.
Excellent article and spot on.
It certainly sounds and feels like a Pete problem. I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen but Pete changing his philosophy and control doesn’t seem likely unfortunately. Maybe Wilson being traded will force Pete to change to a degree because if there is one thing Pete loves the most it’s winning.
I’ve been saying that the offensive line is missing since they traded Max Unger. I remember almost no one getting their hands on Wilson when Unger was the Center. I remember hearing about the trade and thinking it was a mistake. Next season the offensive line became a sieve. And it hasn’t stopped. It just keeps getting worse. Eventually one of those sacks is going to hurt Wilson and then we’ll get to see just how hapless we are without him. And as much of a non complainer as Wilson is, he’s got to feel the lack of concern for his welfare…it’s no wonder he’s starting to speak out. I don’t want another Earl Thomas that we use up and toss away. The LOB was legendary, but they’re gone. Can’t keep playing the same game over and over and expect other teams not to take advantage of it.
Russ was also more mobile then
“”Can’t keep playing the same game over and over and expect other teams NOT to take advantage of it””.
This is what I think is the major problem of the Seahawks “running game” is. PC likes to line up and run off tackle, up the middle runs, saying even if they know it’s coming, they’ll eventually pound the defense into dust and break a long run. A VERY high % of PC’s running plays are all – up the middle with a cloud of dust.
IMO- The better approach would be a much more diverse running game. There have been many smaller RB’s over the years that were highly successful without being 5-10/220 guys. Even in Seahawks history, Alexander was really productive and he couldn’t run very well – up the gut. They have Penny and he excels in space, yet the vast majority of his runs have been – up the gut, (which he may deviate from and bounce to the outside with some success on occasion). I think Penny has a lot more to add in his game if he were used by PC more to his actual strengths.
In conclusion, I think the Seahawks would be better served to have a –much more diverse– running game, throw in some pre-snap motion, etc. & get the defense guessing on what is coming = a much better running game performance and results. I disagree with the concept of showing teams what you are going to do and then saying, “stop us if you can”. The best way to keep defenses on their heels is to keep them – guessing – on every damn play, in both the running game and in the passing game.
I agree, Isabel, with everything. Few if any have remarked upon the insult done to Unger and the 0-line when Carroll approved the infamous pass from the one. They had blasted a nice path for Lynch on his run from the 5 (?) to the one. The Patriots looked shell-shocked, the Hawk O-line was breathing fire, anticipating the next play, when another good block would see Lynch bury the dagger. When it didn’t happen, I felt certain the Carroll regime was doomed … like a witch’s curse had been placed.
“Take a step back and relinquish some control”
This is exactly what Pete needs to do as you mentioned Rob. This is exactly what Pete WON’T do imo. I would love to be wrong.
If Adams is traded I’ll have some hope that positive steps are happening. If as Joe Fann said, a large extension for the 52nd ranked Safety is in the offing, it will be another sign that Carroll refuses to do anything that he hasn’t decided will be done.
The harsh thought for me is that Adams will stay. And then the Hawks move on from Russell. If Adams stays, it’s gonna suck. There just isn’t a way to get draft capital, he doesn’t fit the scheme, there isn’t resources to remake the team to fit him, and he’ll cost too much (any amount is too much; he doesn’t work with what they supposedly want to do). With Adams, and Wagner, cutting them would be better than paying them. Cut Adams? Yeah and play Blair, and use that cash for the line of scrimmage. Cut Wagner, play Brooks, use that cash for the line of scrimmage. Now if you could get some picks, great!!!!!! But please don’t…..it doesn’t matter tho. Those dudes are gonna be on the squad.
I wouldn’t assume that.
The Seahawks have $2.3m to spend. Something’s got to give.
And the QB clearly isn’t going to let them get away with another off-season like last year — so they better create some resource.
I wish I had your optimism on that front, but I have zero faith that Pete will part with Adams, his shiny new tool, unless Adams demands $20 million-ish money.
Yeah, Rob is right, that’s a huge assumption on my part. And really I think it’s just me being cynical/fatalistic.
I hope for a bold move away from those. Glad Wilson is doing this tbh.
Just a random thought I’m sure will get shot down quickly (and deservedly so), but any chance PC/JS might have actually feared for their jobs last year and that’s another reason they went all in on Adams after failing to secure a pass rusher? Overpay to secure a couple more wins and get their extensions?
Maybe now that they both have the long-term security they might be more willing to start a little 2-year rebuild…?
(Doesn’t sound right; just trying to make any sense at all of last off-season and some semblance of a plan…)
Here is a conspiracy theory for you. Pete went all in to sabotage the team last year. Rumors are that he was spied at the water cooler rubbing his hands gleefully while chortling “Let the next fool try to rebuild this team with no money and no first round draft picks.”
Then his contract was renewed.
I can’t fathom Jody Allen making such a massive decision.
That said, the trade reeks of flop sweat desperation. You can smell it a mile away and it doesn’t indicate something good, so sure, open season on theories like that.
Interesting thought, but agree that it doesn’t sound right. I just can’t imagine Pete (or John) was in any danger of losing their jobs. Who was going to fire them? Doubtful that Jody Allen would fire either of them, and probably the same goes for the rest of the Vulcan Sports and Entertainment management team!
It sure appears Pete has unquestioned power within the organization, and with that a very stable job situation. It is interesting that John chose to sign an extension, with the reports he was in consideration for the Detroit GM job. He must not hate the current situation and setup with Pete, otherwise wouldn’t he have tried hard to move on?
Maybe he just got paid a bucketload and figured, why go through all the trouble of moving the family to Detroit and starting all over again there?
Or, maybe he did manage to get Pete to relinquish some power and it just hasn’t been announced yet…?
And we are talking Detroit. A perennial dumpster fire of ineptitude.
That’s the least of my concerns. The bottom half of the roster will only cost you $30-40m max.
They have tons of options and flexibility with all that cap room.
There’s no way Bobby Wagner’s $20m number stays as it is. He’ll either be gone or with a cap hit reduced by a chunk. If he’s gone, that pays for your entire 2021 and 2022 draft classes in 2022.
What they do with that cap room is the concern.
They’ll have 2 draft classes under their belt by then – that is about 14 cheap players. Can they draft wisely and fill targeted needs?
Are they going to blow all that cap room on overpaying 30+ year old veterans to placehold for another season or two and block the young players from developing?
The 2020 draft class should be fully in effect. Can they develop Alton Robinson further, or will they decide they must have Luke Willson active on game days holding the getto blaster up? Is Deejay Dallas someone who can be more than a fringe support player? Can Jordyn Brooks emerge as a force? Is Darrell Taylor a thing?
Are they going to put their salary cap in a headlock by paying Jamal Adams a small fortune?
Here’s a thought.
The Seahawks paid Benson Mayowa $3m for 6 sacks, a season after Oakland paid him $1.75m for 8. So we’ve established a market for a ‘guy who sacks the QB and doesn’t do anyhing else’. So if Jamal Adams gets $15-$18m a year, and continues to be league average everywhere else, and continues to battle injuries, the Seahawks would be overpaying him by as much as $10-13 million dollars. Put another way, you could afford 5 Benson Mayowa’s and still have money left over.
It’s insane how you are always able to hit the nail on the head through reading the tea leaves long before your ideas start to actually play out in real time.
This is the most pessimistic I’ve been for an offseason in a long time. We are a franchise at a cross roads. They feel the need to compete with Wilson so they can’t rebuild, but the more we try to patch holes on the hull, more and more water continues to accumulate.
Your offseason plan was a hard pill to swallow at first but with every passing day it seems like the best course of action. Trading Adams, acknowledging some sunk cost, is necessary. Moving on from Wagner would be tough, and I see the merit in surrounding Wagner with a bunch of young, hungry and fast players.
Thanks Spencer
Depending of course on what we get back, I support a trade.
I look at this team and don’t see the talent to make a championship push, mostly due to inadequate drafting over the past many years. Russ and DK is all we’ve got and it’s not enough, we’ve seen it, the Rams and the 49ers have both passed us. And with little cap room and a dearth of draft picks this year, I don’t see that changing over the postseason. And if we’re not making a title run, what are we doing here.
Russ appears to either want Pete to retire or to cede control. I don’t think either will happen. He will want out sooner or later.
If we can get a haul for a 32-year old football player who doesn’t want to be here, let’s do it. If we can trade him and get more today than we would next year, let’s do it. Don’t let this drag on for another entire year.
Awesome article. The time to get this train back on track was last year, and how that went has been well documented (here at least). Reckless, short-sighted moves have put the team in an even more perilous situation this year, and nothing I have seen from the team in the past five years has shown me they will be able to navigate it effectively. Being a puffed up third seed that gets embarrassed in the wild card round will be as good as it gets for awhile if we’re all lucky.
I’m still in the keep and appease Wilson camp btw. Pete is so obsessed with identities, that should be their identity. Everything should be done to compliment Russ, not the other way around.
It’s incredible that they turned $50m and a cluster of high picks a year ago, into a first round playoff defeat and no money or picks this year. Yeah the cap lowering hasn’t helped. But still. They have no resources.
Do you guys think that it is really possible to seriously contend next year if the Seahawks do it the ‘Russ-way’ and build the O-Line and give him 1-2 more weapons?
Maybe not.
But I’m willing to give it a shot because the current plan hasn’t been working has it? And at least trying it won’t lead to the QB wanting to leave.
If they did it Pete’s way and trade Russ, would you trust PC and JS to build again a championship worthy roster within the next few years?
Dunno
Trading both Wagner and Adams and putting that money into upgrading the offensive line and RB… and possibly a receiver, seems like the only way to salvage this situation.
Let Pete build a “young and hungry” defense again… if he can.
Another year of mediocre free agent signings, so we can get into the playoffs and hope for the best, is not inspiring.
Russ often rubs me the wrong way, with his legacy talk. But he’s basically right in his assessment of the team.
I don’t blame him for being frustrated and trying to push the envelope at this point of his career.
He’s seen the same script play out for the past 5 years.
Makes perfect sense to me.
Well, if we look at the recent years the best acquisitions on the defensive side of the ball were very affordable. They got Diggs, Dunlap, DJ Reed and Ford for a few late round picks. If they could continue that streak, instead of trading a kings ransom for a single player, it might be possible to have an above average defense that’s good enough to compliment Russ and the Offense.
Precisely — sounds good to me
Also – if the defense is gonna be dog shit, at least make it cheap. Pete’s defenses have been in a steady state of decline for years. Give him young cheap players and let him do his job by trying to coach them up. If it fails then at least you’ve opened up money to invest in protection and weapons for your most valuable asset
I’d sign onto this plan too.
Doesn’t the definition of insanity go something like: Trying the same thing over and over again expecting a different result?
I mean, give me a strong center and a solid left guard, give me a good TE (or a plan to make more of those we have, Dissly ain’t that bad) and a strong 3rd receiver. Fix the run game, get the best RB in the draft. Get rid of Adams and go young at corner and safety, I’m fine with going Diggs-Blair there. I think this could get Russ in a state to pick up his game where he left it last year before he started throwing interceptions, and we could make it at least to the NFC championship.
Agree on all of this Mick. Now, if we could only trust the Hawks to draft and use resources correctly
He started throwing interceptions, because their adversaries where prepared. He got his arse handed over by any halfway decent pass rushing team. And was dominated twice by the Rams secondary.
Franchise QBs have to adapt and to develop. And in the playoffs, you need highly automated moves, a plan B and C and D.
They need to put the work in, and when I watch those off-field Ciara crap, I wonder if that holds truth for Russell Wilson. He cannot even throw intermediate balls, it seems. Rob and I had a massive argument over this in 2018. He said, I have to accept Russells skill set. And I said, Russell cannot accept to have his skill set cut short. He needs to reinvent himself, especially if his feet continue to get slower.
When I read, that Tom Brady spent over 200 hours of practice with Scotty Miller alone, you get the idea. People tend to think of Brady as a poser. In autumn, he puts in the hard detailed work. He plays like dirt for weeks, and end November things begin to click.
Cowherd with an interview of Brock Huard a few minutes ago and of course the recent media tour if you will by Russell Wilson was the 1st thing he asked Brock about. Paraphrasing here but basically Brock said that when Paul died the accountability for Pete went with him as we’ve all been saying for a while now. He even talked about some of the things that Paul had John Schneider do including play by play game reports so he could understand what went right and went wrong and also Paul brought in outside consultants to help him get a full picture of the situation with the Seahawks.
I didn’t really enjoy the Brock & Salk podcast this week. Usually a big fan. Kind of felt like they kept going off in different directions and never really got to the meat and bones of the Wilson situation. Also promised some talk on Jamal Adams’ situation and never got into it.
Here’s Brock’s piece with Colin incidentally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbcKFngT5f4
I can only concur with your comment about the most recent Brock/Salk podcast. I turned it off halfway through. Salk’s take on Carroll’s supposed flexibility as a coach was just nonsense.
Bring him home
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/02/17/richard-sherman-its-been-made-pretty-clear-i-wont-return-to-49ers/
Smooth…
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/02/03/jon-grudens-comments-to-richard-sherman-are-blatant-tampering/
What kind of contract do you think Sherman would sign for we know he says 2 more years so do you think 10m/year would get it done also do you think he would be more inclined to sign if Wilson was here or gone
Don’t know. But he’s not going to get mega money and I’m pretty sure he wants to finish back home so we’ll see
Do you think he would consider anything less than around $7-$9M? He only played half the season this past year and looked pretty slow and sub-par in their game against the Bills. If he takes less we should consider him. For around $8M-$9M I would pass.
He also looked outstanding against the Rams.
His game and leadership is worth that much. His health (or lack there of) makes me hesitate paying him $16M-$18M for a 2 year contract. But I certainly would like to see a reunion and see him finish his career with the Hawks.
At least someone’s having a fun off-season so far…
Lol!! Winners of the internet for today…
https://twitter.com/mnwild/status/1362152294343655426
Why do I like this better than Lebron saying he could have been an NFL player?
Because it’s funnier…..and LeBron could’ve.
Great write up Rob! My viseral response is to be in denial: Hawks were 12 – 4, Kind of won the west, Have a top tier QB and a proven Head Coach. However, since the 2014 season, the hawks have not put the fear of god into anyone. Offense is predictable and defense can be scored on. This team is not a league benchmark as it was earlier when PC came to town. Questionable drafting, splashy free agent signings and no real game plan. Dare I say making shit up as they go along! Make a plan, follow the plan and stick to the plan. Knee jerk reactions are not the best way to run any successful business. The face of the organization is not happy….. The question is how did the team let it get this far? The most valuable asset is not philosophically aligned with the man calling most all of the shots. Can this relationship be repaired? Self reflection not only should be done by PC, Wilson is just as guilty. He gave up! The Coach decided it was the best for the team to be more conservative and Wilson did not look and feel the same afterwards. Wilson always has had a knack for the big play, the comeback victory, the correct timely decision. He was a smart player. Turnovers were very limited and never leading to a pick 6. He was dangruss! I wish and hope that this will all blow over and Waldron will be the mediator between these two egos. Relationships require work and if it cannot be repaired, it’s time to move on. Here’s hoping for Pete to be promoted to head figure and motivational speaker
Off-topic, but I’m curious as to why a good portion of media/people have Jaylen Waddle consistently ranked higher than Devonta Smith?
Not a scout but it seems the concept of physical traits > polish was a big reason for Reagor going higher than Jefferson last year, and we saw how that turned out. Feels to me like the process is repeating itself, but I’m curious if there is something I’m missing.
Same reason Ruggs went higher than Jefferson…”the frame is too lean!” “Are they really burners?”
Who cares…they get open. They catch the ball. They just make plays and have done so, consistently, against the best competition.
Waddle is really good…but not better than Devonta.
https://twitter.com/JustinM_NFL/status/1362108882907246595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1362108882907246595%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthefalconswire.usatoday.com%2F2021%2F02%2F17%2Ffalcons-asante-samuel-jr-nfl-draft-meetings%2F
Haven’t really watched a ton of Asante Samuel Jr, but I’ve heard he’s mostly a fit in man schemes. Any ideas on how he’d fit in a Cover 1/3 scheme like Seattle?
More of playing @ FS rather than NB. Releasing Diggs would free up $5,550,000. Having Amadi and Samuels competing @ FS could be an option, as well as Blair fitting in the formula, this could resolve the safety situation.
Diggs is a good player. $5.5m is a bargain.
Agreed. But these are the type of decisions one would have to make in order to put resources in the OL. If you can even foster a trade with another team for a draft pick, say a 4th or a 5th, this could be a prudent move. I’m not sure if he’s in their future plans after 2021 being the last year of his contract.
Samuel has good range and is a ball hawk. He’s a bit small, yet appears quite strong for his size in order to body slam guys much bigger than he is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUsalMcom8U
This money could be used to help bring in Thuney to play LG. I’d love to have both, but I’d choose Thuney rather than Diggs, who is almost a year older than Thuney.
Trading Diggs would be trading the wrong safety
Asante Samuels Jr. will be long gone anyway by the time they would make their selection.
Not sure about that. Maybe.
Any thoughts on RFA Anthony Firkser? His current salary is $750,000 and the Titans are in a salary pinch with several other TEs also FAs. He is a 25 yr old 6-2 247lbs FB/TE from Harvard similar to SF FB Kyle Juszczyk. Firkser doesn’t quite have the same explosiveness as that of Juszczyk, but the measurables are very similar.
It would be hard to imagine the Niners letting Juszczyk leave in free agency. There is something to be said about Harvard fullbacks though. Having a smart gritty player willing to stick his nose in the LOS and still be an effective OW is something to clamor for.
Firkser has a 77.4 percent catch rate and would be an attractive FA acquisition at a very minimal cost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q66ZpT3lfgo
I agree to a large degree with anything in this piece. Thanks for compiling it, Rob.
The key question to me is, where should the friggin’
W-ins
A-bove
R-eplacement
come from in 2021?
I am sure Pete Carroll thinks he has a championship-ready team. They were all in in 2020 and will try to keep it that way in 2021. They will try to sign Adams and keep clean of great expenditure in 2021. They will create cap space and spend it by resigning their beloved KJ Wright, or an beyond his prime Zach Ertz. They are dilluted enough to think of Phil Dorsett as a weapon.
Still, they will loose their #1 RB ($7.1m market valuation), #1 ($11m) and 2 CB ($8.1m), and you have to wonder how they will be replaced. Maybe they get them back for cheap, but this solves basically nothing.
They will also get less and less impact by their franchise LT. Their you-can-put-a-name-in patch at LG and C will continue to cause high risks for whatever run game PC wants to throw on his opponents. Apart from Lewis, all OL picks in the last 6 or 7 years have been failures.
How do you create WARs from this mess?
Is having a huge lack of talent and development problem all over the roster a matter of philosophy? PC is not a magician, and magic rules don’t apply here. It’s pure futile hope, that somehow those last high picks – all projects in their own sense – pay dividend.
I’m now in the raze it to the ground camp since 2018. Is this franchise better off with trading Wilson and drafting Lamar Jackson, I asked. Is this franchise better off with trading Wilson and drafting Mac Jones, I ask.
And, furthermore, does this franchise need a new coaching staff with a fresh approach?
I’m all in favor to keep Russ on the team if Pete gives more control to the OC and Russ. But I don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but doesn’t seem REALLY appealing to have both Najee Harris and DK Metcalf on the same offense? It’s probably not going to be possible with the low draft stock. But if we trade Wilson and Jamal Adams it might be possible. I’m just blabbering on here, but is anyone else quite sick of the same old thing year after year? I honestly want to move on from the Wilson era and build that young and hungry team that we’ve missed since the LOB days. I just want CHANGE
I agree with you. Pete’s going to run the ball whether they have a good running back or not. My as well get a good running back. There will probably be a few acceptable ones in the 3rd or 4 th round. Just have to dig and find them.
A little QB reconnaissance
Pittsburgh’s GM just pulled the dreaded “Ben is on our team as of right now” statement
https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1362119040580390918
Couldn’t happen to a “nicer” guy (nicer = bigger POS).
Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!
Denver appearing to be happy to sit tight with Drew Lock unless a RW or a Deshaun Watson becomes available
https://twitter.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/1362113831967801345
Also happy to sit tight in last place in the AFC West it seems
I see their point though. Choosing between Lock and forking over for a Wentz or a Foles in trade is not a hard discussion to have.
And yet, Josh Allen was the ideal Elway QB prospect and he passed on him.
Great piece but it doesn’t draw the inference it implies. Pete Carroll is more interested in himself, i.e. doing it his way and winning his way, than the success of the franchise. Just because they’re playing sport we assume they all want the same thing but that’s untrue below the surface. Look at the painful Superbowl loss. Carroll intervened to dictate a set piece awe-inspiring moment; that was literally what he wanted in that moment, more than the win which was right there. Does a coach like McVay ever make that call? So now with a vacuum at the top the franchise is morphing into Pete Carroll’s baby, and Russell Wilson wants to leave home.
I think it’s total folly to suggest Carroll values doing things a certain way over winning.
He’s simply stubborn in his way he thinks you have to act to win.
Here’s the Cliff’s Notes:
“Can we finally get a f@c#ing O-line please?!?!”
– RW#3
I think Wilson’s comment was far more loaded than that: it’s not just about Oline talent, it’s overall offensive scheme, it’s not having short and intermediate routes, it’s running on first down too much, it’s having a community college level offense from 1982, it’s not enough of a route tree for WRs and TRs, it’s the stranglehold placed on Wilson for fear of turnovers, it’s pass plays that take too long to develop…Wilson is calling out Carrol in every way imaginable in that comment, not just highlighting the Oline needs.
Just another cry baby player.
Hardly
I see Pete being very hypocritical and self-centered in this whole narrative. He talks about wanting to address racial inequality and empowering minorities and putting coaches of color in Head Coach positions (like his) citing the need to give the players on predominantly black rosters role models and leaders they can relate to. He’s even appeared in community service “commercials” promoting such. Yet here he is, an old white guy unwilling to step aside when he has a golden opportunity to walk the talk and place an eminently qualified young black coach like Eric Bieniemy in the Seahawks Head Coach position. Pete’s had a good run but he’s like the aging athlete who insists on playing well past his prime and becomes a mockery of his former self. He should move upstairs, take pride in his accomplishments and focus on empowering his staff and solidifying the franchise (if he can do so without mimicking Tom Coughlin).
I’m not sure why people think that moving Pete upstairs will stop him interfering.
It’d be worse.
Agreed. That’s why the reference to Tom Coughlin. It’s probably not realistic. Still, he DOES have the golden opportunity to leave a different kind of legacy than the one he’s clearly obsessed with, and in the process position the Seahawks to a diametrically better position than he left USC. Hey, I’m an old guy with 4 sons about your age (33-41). They’ve taught me that you can’t hang on to sclerotic behaviors. If I can do it maybe a guy like PC can, too. Ok, I’ll move on to the next post. Keep the great narrative going!