The Seattle Seahawks experienced major turmoil after hiring new head coach Mike Macdonald. With 21 new assistant coaches, Seattle has a whole new regime.
Speaking to reporters on April 10, Seahawks starter Uchenna Nwosu described the new staff as a “breath of fresh air.”
“You know, these coaches seem committed,” that’s what he said. “They’ve really put in the time and effort thus far. That’s what you expect from your personnel. As a team, I anticipate a successful postseason run. We’ve been close for the past two years. I think it’s time to actually get over that hump. We have all the players. I believe we have the appropriate coaches today.
After signing a three-year, $45 million contract extension with Seattle last summer, Nwosu praised former head coach Pete Carroll and the entire staff. But something must have changed during the 2023 NFL season.
“Last year was kind of frustrating,” Nwosu explained. “And sometimes change brings out the best in everyone. People seem to be smiling a lot more. They are happier and have more energy. I’m not sure if it’s simply because it’s a new year and season, or if it’s due to coaching changes and fresh opportunities. But everyone is getting along better, and everyone is talking and hanging out more, and I believe it is bringing the locker room closer together.”
A fan inquired on X after reading Nwosu’s comments, “Did it come off like the loaded statement it reads as?” Nwosu did not specify which staff members were bringing the enthusiasm down last season, which fueled suspicion.
Listeners interpreted Nwosu’s statement as a jab at either former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, Carroll, or all three. Seattle Sports Mike Salk remarked, “When you first hear it, I think most people, including myself, automatically think of Pete Carroll.
“When I hear it the second time, when I hear coaching changes, I think back a little bit to what (former Seahawks linebacker) KJ (Wright) kind of told us last year about some of the issues they seemed to be having with the position coaches and some of the guys that we don’t hear about as much because they’re not as well-known outside the building.
“But for each player, those position coaches mean everything. That’s who they spend the most of their time with, and I’m curious if he’s referring to some of the changes that have occurred among the assistant coaches on this team, not only the coordinators, but particularly the position men.”
“Whatever it is, (it’s) interesting,” Salk continued. “Not necessarily how I would have expected some of that frustration to manifest itself, claiming that they had not had enough fun in the past. But that is what you hear from Uchenna.”
One admirer wrote, “This is a direct shot to Clint Hurtt.” I don’t think it’s for Pete at all. Others could not help but hold Carroll accountable for hiring these staff members. One individual commented, “I think we all realized Pete had completely lost the locker room during the last season. “This just confirms it.”
Another individual remarked, “I believe in my heart of hearts that it came down to Pete believing he could win over his coordinators. He was overly dedicated to them, and he believed he could help his coaches become great. That was just not going to happen.”
During the Seahawks’ 20-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on October 22, Nwosu sustained a season-ending pectoral injury. Before falling injured, the 27-year-old starter had 11 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning a fantastic 72.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Losing Nwosu dealt a significant blow to the Seahawks’ defense. After recuperating in Southern California with John Meyer of the Meyer Institute of Sport in El Segundo, the USC graduate is gearing up for additional football activities. “Absolutely,” Nwosu responded when asked if he’ll be a full participant at training camp in July.
Nwosu recorded 66 total tackles, 26 quarterback hits, and 9.5 sacks in his rookie NFL season with Seattle in 2022.
Leave a Reply