Pete Carroll’s retirement rumors surfaced briefly as the season came to a close, but the legendary Seahawks coach swatted them away Monday morning. The NFL’s oldest head coach intends to return for a 15th season in 2024.
For the second year in a row, the Seahawks ended 9-8. Given the draft capital obtained at the tail end of Russell Wilson’s haul, the team’s eight-loss season and playoff absence was a letdown. Carroll, 72, is still hoping to make a difference next season.
“I intend to coach this team,” Carroll told the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. “I’m not exhausted. I’m not exhausted. “I need to work harder.”
Despite making a buyer’s trade with the Giants to acquire Leonard Williams (for second and fifth-round picks), the Seahawks did not have an elite defense. Carroll, as a defensive-minded head coach, is certainly a letdown. In exchange for Williams, Seattle will send New York the No. 48 overall pick in 2024. The defense led by Carroll and Clint Hurtt ranked 25th in scoring and 30th in yards allowed. Even if the Seahawks’ defense has slowly deteriorated, a 30th-place result signals a new low for the organization in Carroll’s tenure.
While Carroll anticipates changes (via The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar), the experienced coach stated that this is only because changes are expected at this time of year.
Hurtt was appointed to lead the defense in 2022, succeeding Ken Norton Jr. However, Seattle’s defense has declined in recent years. The Seahawks, the only defense since the 1950s Browns to rank first in points allowed in four consecutive years, have outlived their Legion of Boom days. Since 2016, they have not placed in the top ten in scoring defense. Nonetheless, Norton’s team ended 11th in 2021. Hurtt’s units have now finished 25th-25th in his two seasons as head coach.
The Seahawks have Geno Smith under contract for three years and $75 million, with only $28 million guaranteed, so it would not be surprising to see Wilson’s successor return for a third season as QB1. Smith, 33, concluded the season ranked 12th in QBR. The Seahawks’ top two running backs and top three wide receivers are also signed for at least another two seasons.
Carroll’s most recent deal extends through 2024 with a 2025 option. With no 10-win season since Wilson’s last non-injury-plagued year in Seattle in 2020, Carroll signing another agreement may spark additional debate among owners. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the team had considered backup plans in the event Carroll decided to retire.
Unless Jody Allen wants to leave Carroll, he will remain in place for the 2024 campaign. In September, the former Jets and Patriots head coach will turn 73.
Leave a Reply