Five big questions on the Seahawks’ decision to replace Pete Carroll: Why now, and what’s next?

SEATTLE — The Seahawks have made several big moves over the past nine seasons in an attempt to get back to the top of the NFL after winning Super Bowl XLVIII and nearly repeating the next season. They’ve made blockbuster trades and big-money free agent signings. They’ve changed coordinators multiple times on both sides of the ball and overhauled their defensive, in scheme and in personnel. They’ve even moved on from a franchise quarterback in Russell Wilson.

On Wednesday, they made the biggest move they could, announcing that Pete Carroll is out as head coach after a 14-season tenure, the most successful run in franchise history. Here are five questions surrounding the move and where the Seahawks go from here as they head into the offseason.

Why did this happen now? Was it completely unexpected?

In Carroll’s news conference after the announcement, he said, “I competed pretty hard to be the coach … I went along with their intentions.” This came after he said postgame Sunday and again Monday that he planned to continue coaching the Seahawks, all of which makes it clear that this decision was made by owner Jody Allen and not Carroll.

Allen’s statement gave only a vague reasoning, saying the move was in the best interest of the organization, but it’s been obvious that the Seahawks have settled into a rut of mediocrity.

Since winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2013 season and nearly repeating as champions the next season, the Seahawks have made the playoffs six times but have failed to advance past the divisional round. Carroll said on his radio show earlier this week that the Seahawks are closer to winning a Super Bowl now than they were a year ago, when they also finished 9-8. But there was no obvious indication of that vision. Seattle’s defense regressed, and its offense underperformed. Over the past three seasons, the Seahawks are 25-27, including a wild-card loss that ended their lone playoff appearance in that stretch.

What does Carroll’s future look like now?

In a word, uncertain. Allen said in her statement that Carroll will remain with the team as an advisor, though Carroll said the particulars of that role are yet to be determined. The absence of any detail as well as Carroll’s obvious desire to remain Seattle’s coach contributes to the impression that the Seahawks may be giving him the title of advisor in order to give the best coach in franchise history as dignified of an exit as possible.

Carroll has looked as energetic as ever at 72, showing no signs in recent seasons that his passion for coaching has waned. During one of the more spirited moments of his news conference, he said he’s “freakin’ jacked” and not worn out or tired. That makes it fair to wonder whether he would have interest in coaching another team if the right opportunity arose.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” he said when asked about that possibility. “Today’s about today. I don’t know that.”

Should Carroll stay put, one thing about his advisor role was made clear Wednesday: it won’t entail him assisting general manager John Schneider in the search for his replacement.

Carroll helped hire Schneider in 2010 and had final say over personnel decisions. Schneider is now in the power position in Seattle’s front office.

Who could be in the mix to be the next Seattle coach?

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will be among those on the Seahawks’ list of candidates. Quinn has been an obvious possibility in recent seasons while questions about Carroll’s coaching future have grown. He has a relationship with Schneider, having had two stints on the Seahawks’ coaching staff, including 2009-10 (defensive line coach) and 2013-14 (defensive coordinator). He was the coordinator during their two Super Bowl appearances, overseeing one of the most dominant units in NFL history.

The steady decline of Seattle’s defense since then is the biggest reason the team is now searching for a new coach. The Seahawks were 25th in points allowed in 2023 and 30th in yards allowed.

What’s the first priority for whoever takes over as coach?

Deciding whether to keep offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt will be first up. Their job statuses have seemed uncertain, given the way Seattle has underachieved on both sides of the ball this season.

The Seahawks’ priority on defense was to improve against the run after finishing 30th in 2022 (150.2 rushing yards allowed per game), but they regressed after a strong start, finishing one spot lower at 31st (138.4). Seattle’s offense, meanwhile, ranked 18th in scoring (20.2 PPG) and 21st in yards (322.9 per game). And it once again struggled on third down, a long-standing issue for this team.

New coaches often prefer to bring in their own coordinators. And the recent underwhelming track records for Hurtt and Waldron do not bode well for their chances of staying around.

What does this mean for quarterback Geno Smith?

The next big decision will be with Smith. The Seahawks quarterback was up and down in 2023, and he took a step back statistically in several areas from his Pro Bowl season in 2022. However, Smith also dealt with issues around him on offense and with injuries. He finished 13th in QBR (60).

Smith’s $12.7 million base salary for next season will be fully guaranteed if he is on the roster on Feb. 16, making that a likely deadline for Schneider and Seattle’s next coach to decide on Smith’s future. Drew Lock, the No. 2 quarterback, will be a free agent, and the team is drafting at No. 16 in April.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner will also be a free agent. The Seahawks brought him back last offseason at Carroll’s behest, which further brings into question whether arguably the best defensive player in franchise history will return again in 2024 now that Carroll is no longer calling the shots.