Russell Wilson celebrates with Pete Carroll after Seahawks, coach part ways
Russell Wilson left Pete Carroll and the Seahawks in controversial fashion back in 2022. But on the day Carroll left his job as head coach, his old quarterback was by his side.
Wilson, who just finished his second season with the Broncos, shared photos with Carroll to social media early Thursday morning. Hours earlier, Seattle parted ways with Carroll, one of the most successful coaches in both NFL and NCAA history.
Wilson wrote of the now former head coach: “Grateful for you! Fun Celebrating you tonight and all the memories!” There were other former and current Seahawks in the group toasting the career of their head coach.
The Seahawks announced that they were reassigning Carroll after the coach spent 14 seasons in Seattle. Carroll led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title, with Wilson as his quarterback, in 2013. There very nearly was another Super Bowl championship the next year. But the team lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots in the final moments of the game.
When the Seahawks made the shocking decision public, Wilson lauded his old coach. He shared a post from the NFL, adding “One of the Greatest Ever. “Keep Shooting” Coach. Grateful for the memories, Pete Carroll. Best is Ahead.”
It’s definitely OK to say that change is on the way for both Carroll and Wilson. And it’s unlikely their plans will have anything to do with the Seahawks. The two joined forces a dozen years ago, when Carroll selected Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Then the head coach made the rookie his starting quarterback.
Wilson earned spots in nine Pro Bowls with the Seahawks. But he asked to be traded after the 2021 season. There stories saying that Wilson demanded that Seattle fire Carroll or else he’d leave. But Wilson always denied that story, even addressing it on Twitter. He said how much he loved Carroll and that he was like a “father figure” to him.
Wilson signed with the Broncos, but the end is near for the quarterback. Denver benched him in December because of a disagreement over an incentive clause in his contract.
Meanwhile, when the Seahawks issued a statement about Carroll’s future, the team said it was reassigning him to an advistory role.