Tag Archives: Pete Carroll

Franchise history

How Russ went from lovable underdog to unlikeable loser

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It looks like Russell Wilson has decided it is time to move on from football – at least on the field.

The Seahawks legend, whose career flamed out with three teams over the past four years, is going to join Nate Burleson and the gang on “The NFL Today.”

This was hinted at last month, when Wilson was in the news a bunch — and the jokes flew fast and furious. He looked overweight in a cameo with the Savannah Bananas, like he had eaten one too many banana splits. He then had a visit with the Jets about possibly doing a role reversal and backing up Geno Smith, his former understudy in Seattle. And then he was reported to be in advanced talks to replace Matt Ryan on “The NFL Today” – which is where he apparently is now headed.

It sounds like he would love to play, if a team gets desperate. But otherwise this seems like a move to retirement, driven by the fact that he is no longer an effective player at age 37.

Continue reading How Russ went from lovable underdog to unlikeable loser →
Franchise history, On the air

Diggs talks about his Seattle circle of life and end of Carroll era

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One of the cool things about the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl in February was the longtime veterans who got rings out of it.

Some of the thirtysomethings — Jason Myers, Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence and Jarran Reed – played huge roles. Then there were former Seahawks whom John Schneider and Mike Macdonald brought back – like Shaq Griffin and Quandre Diggs – who were mostly along for the ride. Macdonald got them the rings that Pete Carroll could not.

Diggs recently talked to Brian Nemhauser (HawkBlogger) about why the Carroll era ended, why he followed Carroll out the door in 2024 and why he wanted to come back last November even though he knew his on-field role might be minimal.

Let’s walk through Diggs’ journey, from the 2019 trade that brought him to Seattle to the end of the Carroll era and Diggs’ return for a shot at the Super Bowl.

Continue reading Diggs talks about his Seattle circle of life and end of Carroll era →
NFL history, Super Bowl LX

Another Super Bowl vs. Patriots offers redemptive chance at a dynasty

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In the lead-up to Super Bowl LX, there has been a lot of discussion about the previous Super Bowl between the Seahawks and Patriots.

Mike Macdonald’s team is not out to atone for the sins of Pete Carroll in that controversial Super Bowl XLIX giveaway. They DO NOT CARE about that, as Macdonald has made clear. Nor should they. They are their own team out to carve their own destiny.

But, while Carroll ruined a chance at a Seahawks dynasty by losing to those Patriots, it is perhaps apropos that Macdonald could very well begin a Seahawks dynasty by beating these Patriots.

Continue reading Another Super Bowl vs. Patriots offers redemptive chance at a dynasty →
Franchise history, The roster, Trades

How Schneider built a Super Bowl contender as fans called for his firing

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After the 2024 season, a lot of Seahawks fans wanted John Schneider to be fired. They were understandably tired of his failure to put together an even average offensive line throughout his 15 years as general manager, and they were annoyed by a 2024 offseason that seemingly had done little to help the franchise.

It’s surprising how quickly things can change. Amid a 7-2 start that has featured major contributions from half a dozen new players and proven that Sam Darnold is indeed a franchise quarterback, Schneider has been getting a lot of credit.

In fact, in a survey of 42 NFL decision makers by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, 23 voted him as the executive of the year at the midseason point.

Continue reading How Schneider built a Super Bowl contender as fans called for his firing →
Coaches, Franchise history, State of the team

Hawks are setting up for another 2012-13 run

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We haven’t seen Sam Darnold and the starting skill players in action yet – that apparently will happen a bit this week against the Chiefs – but the first preseason game showed everything we need to know about what this Seattle offense is trying to do.

If it succeeds, as we expect it to, the Seahawks should be well poised to repeat their 2011-13 ascent and come away with a Super Bowl trophy in Mike Macdonald’s third year (like Pete Carroll did in his fourth year).

Let’s run through the similarities that make us think this is how it is going to go.

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Coaches, Contracts, Trades

Carroll’s return was Geno’s out as he felt ‘disconnect’ in Seattle

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Without saying it out loud, Geno Smith basically confirmed what we always thought: Pete Carroll’s return to the NFL precipitated Smith’s departure from Seattle.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again (along with ESPN’s Brady Henderson): We think Smith very likely would still be in Seattle (under a new deal) if Carroll had not been hired by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Continue reading Carroll’s return was Geno’s out as he felt ‘disconnect’ in Seattle →
The roster, Trades

Geno traded: Why and how Hawks are suddenly changing quarterbacks

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In a surprising move that seemed unlikely based on everything John Schneider and Mike Macdonald had said, the Seahawks traded Geno Smith to Pete Carroll’s Raiders on Friday.

They got a third-round pick (No. 92) in return – which all things considered was a solid payout. In fact, if Carroll had not returned to the NFL, we doubt there would have been a trade market for Smith. Carroll and the Raiders clearly coveted Smith enough to give up a Day 2 pick.

Here is how it all went down, based on various reliable national NFL reporters:

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Coaches, Free agency, Trades

Carroll joining Raiders spices up offseason possibilities

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It is a surprise that some team wanted to hire a 73-year-old coach who fizzled out over his final three years in Seattle, but kudos to Pete Carroll for making an unexpected return to the NFL.

That now leads to natural questions about whether he might want to bring any of his former Seahawks players to Las Vegas. New Raiders GM John Spyvek, hired from Tampa Bay, will have a lot to say about that, of course.

The Raiders have plenty of roster needs, including quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback. The Hawks have three players at those spots whose names have been bandied about in trade speculation. Would Carroll have any interest in a reunion with Geno Smith, DK Metcalf or Riq Woolen?

Continue reading Carroll joining Raiders spices up offseason possibilities →
Contracts, The roster

History says Geno will lead the Hawks to the playoffs in 2024, then be replaced

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If history is any predictor, Geno Smith will lead the Seahawks to the playoffs in Mike Macdonald’s first season – and then be replaced shortly thereafter.

John Schneider has been involved in a new Seattle coach’s transition period with a lame-duck quarterback twice before and been instrumental in finding the franchise quarterback both times.  

Continue reading History says Geno will lead the Hawks to the playoffs in 2024, then be replaced →
Coaches

Mike Macdonald: ‘We’re gonna win a lot of football games’

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“We’re gonna be here for a long time, and we’re gonna win a lot of football games.” — Mike Macdonald to execs and staff welcoming him at VMAC

When it came down to conference title game weekend, John Schneider was pretty much guaranteed of getting one of his top two options to become the Seahawks’ next coach.

When Ben Johnson decided to stay in Detroit, Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald immediately became the favorite – even though he had yet to speak with Schneider. It happened fast: Two interviews in two days yielded a six-year contract to become the eighth full-time coach in Seahawks history.

Continue reading Mike Macdonald: ‘We’re gonna win a lot of football games’ →