When aliens finally land on our planet sooner or later, they’ll in all probability uncover issues that make them have a look at our world like most NFL followers have a look at the Seattle Seahawks heading into this season. They’ll surprise “Why did they do this?!?” or “That was their answer to this?!?” after which in all probability dismiss our lifestyle as being a dumpster fireplace of kinds, very similar to analysts have shunned the Seahawks.
Kaye’s Take: What’s the Seattle Seahawks’ plan after buying and selling Russell Wilson?
In March, the Seahawks traded longtime franchise QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for 3 “title” position gamers and a plethora of notable draft picks. Whereas that relationship led to a seemingly amicable divorce, the Seahawks determined to throw the irreconcilable differences on Wilson’s title, pointing the finger at him for not staying collectively for the youngsters (or twelfth Man). At one level, the pettiness received so wild that the Seahawks’ PR workers addressed Wilson “as one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history.”
Look, Warren Moon, Matt Hasselbeck, and Jim Zorn have been all terrific within the prime of their eras, however Wilson has met or exceeded practically all of their accolades at simply 33 with loads of soccer left in him. Oh, and by the way in which, Wilson is the one QB to win a Tremendous Bowl for the crew.
However anyway, that’s not what this column is absolutely about. The actual crux right here is how the Seahawks have restocked the roster in wake of Wilson’s departure. That course of hovers between the classes of “bless their hearts” and “that’s a tank job” on the City Meyer-Hue Jackson scale of terribleness.
It’s one factor to rebuild. It’s one other to relapse into the darkish ages of the NFC West, previous to the Pete Carroll period. Keep in mind Jim Mora’s one-year stint in Seattle? That was the little piece of hell book-ended by the distinctive Mike Holmgren days and the Carroll legacy-making tenure.
Positive, Mora received another win in 2009 than Holmgren had in 2008. However the whole marketing campaign felt like a place-holding stint into nothingness. There was no course or plan on the floor, and Mora was proven the door 5 days earlier than the anniversary of his promotion to move coach.
DK Metcalf stays and not using a contract extension
Proper now, the Seahawks, regardless of being nonetheless run by Carroll and longtime GM John Schneider, really feel directionless.
They’ve but to signal standout vast receiver DK Metcalf to a well-earned contract extension, they usually plan to pair him with both Geno Smith or Drew Lock at quarterback. Even the U.S. Open’s social media intern sees the problem with that outlook…
Seattle’s executed nothing whereas the remainder of the NFC West continues to enhance
The Seahawks perceive they’re worse with out Wilson, which is logical. However as an alternative of in search of upgrades or being an inevitable tear down, they’ve determined to stay static with the oldest head coach within the league main the cost on the tender age of 70. Carroll is destined for retirement inside the subsequent couple of years, however there doesn’t appear to be a transparent successor in place. And admittedly, the roster doesn’t look all that interesting from the surface, both.
The remainder of the NFC West has gotten youthful and quicker over the previous few years, and as Kyle Shanahan, Kliff Kingsbury, and Sean McVay come off playoff runs, the Seahawks simply appear to be taking part in with damaged toys.
When heart Austin Blythe and nickel nook Justin Coleman are your prime free agent additions, you’re both thrilled to simply be invited to the get together that’s the NFL season, otherwise you’re probably not positive what to do with the roster.
The Seahawks acquired Lock, tight finish Noah Fant, and defensive finish Shelby Harris within the Wilson commerce. These are the brand new arrivals that the franchise will prop up within the PR rush to the season. However actually, they’re simply placeholders for an inevitable rebuild in a 12 months or so.
Carroll sticking round and attempting to do one thing with a ship that’s lacking an engine is extra complicated than unhappy. The Seahawks had the chance for a clear break from their franchise legends — Carroll and Wilson — and as an alternative, determined to stay with (a lot) older guys on the point of retirement.
After a profitable draft, the Seahawks nonetheless have a methods to go
Whereas the Seahawks admittedly drafted properly on paper — the first-round number of OT Charles Cross and fourth-round number of CB Coby Bryant have been slam-dunks — it’s honest to surprise how a lot of the group’s promise shall be delivered on in the course of the Carroll period. Bryant, second-round decide Boye Mafe, and fifth-round picks Tariq Woolen and Tyreke Smith, all match what Carroll needs to do on protection, however what occurs when he strikes on and a brand new normal has a distinct play-calling bent?
Delaying the inevitable with Carroll has left the Seahawks standing between a door body. They’ve one foot within the compete entryway and one other within the rebuild lane. With Carroll nonetheless in cost, it’s onerous to venture the place issues go, so the Seahawks are principally simply kicking rocks with the roster till a serious change is made up prime.
So, Seahawks followers are caught ready in limbo, too. And all they will ask is “What precisely are the Seahawks doing in 2022?”
Your guess is nearly as good as this mine.
