Russell Wilson made a bad request
A new report casts more doubt on the synchronicity of the Seattle Seahawks dynasty. Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll had success together for much of the 2010s. The pair made it to two Super Bowls, and the defense won one of them. Wilson threw a game-losing interception to New England cornerback Malcolm Butler in their other Super Bowl. Carroll ultimately received blame for Wilson’s pick, but Wilson made a terrible play.
Turmoil between Wilson and the defensive-minded head coach’s teammates has been well documented. Three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman reportedly yelled, “you f—ing suck” at Wilson after the quarterback threw an interception in practice.
There was a feeling the incredible Seahawks defense blamed and still blames Wilson and the offense for only winning one Super Bowl. The anger still comes from Sherman, as the Thursday Night Football pundit excoriated Wilson after the Denver Broncos quarterback played another pathetic game in what would ultimately become a miserable season for Wilson.
Wilson feels his own way
Russell Wilson had his own issues with Carroll. According to a recent report by the Athletic, Wilson asked the Seahawks brass to make a coaching change at the top:
“Wilson was convinced that Carroll and [general manager John Schneider] were inhibiting his quest to win additional Super Bowls and individual awards, according to league sources who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details.”
Per the report, Russell Wilson requested Carroll’s replacement be Sean Payton. Wilson received one of his wishes a year later. After the Broncos jeopardized their franchise for at least the next half-decade by trading for the aging quarterback, the Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett and replaced him with Payton.
Because it took two first-round picks to land Wilson and a first and second-round pick for Payton, the Broncos will have spent three first-round picks on this operation that looks more like a risky-tech start-up than an NFL franchise.
As for the Seahawks, they’re better off without “Mr. Unlimited.” Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith stepped in and led the team to a Wild Card playoff spot in his first year as a starter. The Seahawks will have a first and second-round pick from the Broncos to use as well to help Smith run an actual offense in Seattle.