Before the Seattle Seahawks decided to part ways with franchise quarterback Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos, longtime head coach Pete Carroll told reporters last week that the team had "no intention" of moving the 33-year-old veteran. Suffice to say, his comments aren't sitting too well with the fanbase at this time.
Despite achieving a considerable amount of success, the Wilson-Carroll era is over, after 10 seasons. And the warning signs of a breakup appeared last year, when Wilson publicly expressed displeasure with the offense and direction of the team. Seattle bottomed out in 2021, with its first losing season since 2011, and consequently, both Carroll and general manager John Schneider are now entering a rebuild.
"I do think Pete probably had something to do with Russell Wilson's decision, to want to see greener pastures," longtime NFL columnist Peter King told The DA Show on Wednesday. "You know, regardless of who was going to be their coach, the only thing that probably would've mollified Wilson is, not only the coach, but at some point, can they please fix the offensive line. I mean, he's really gotten hit an awful lot over the years...
"I've not talked to Wilson, nor have I talked to his agent about what happened at the end. But if they were going to try to make long-term peace with Russell Wilson, in my opinion, it was probably going to take more than just changing the coach... I think in this particular case, there were a lot of things at play in Seattle. And I just think the Seahawks felt, at this time, it was time for them to go and build a team a different way."
Wilson, who has a full no-trade clause, reportedly approved the massive deal and passed his physical just hours after the news broke on Tuesday. Although it can't be made official until the new league year begins on Mar. 16, Seattle is receiving two first-round draft picks, two second-rounders, one fifth-rounder, and players Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, and Noah Fant from Denver. By trading Wilson, the Seahawks are taking on $26 million in dead cap money.
During Wilson's tenure in Seattle, the franchise made the playoffs eight times, reached two NFC title games, and won a Super Bowl. His final campaign with the Seahawks was below his high standards. Due to a finger injury suffered in early October, Wilson played a career-low 14 games, and struggled to develop a groove upon returning. But he did end 2021 on a positive note, finishing the season with 3,113 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.
The entire NFL conversation between King and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The DA Show on Twitter @DAonCBS and @CBSSportsRadio, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
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