Pete Carroll was one of the best head coaches in the NFL during the 2010s. He won a Super Bowl, made the Seattle Seahawks perpetual contenders, was a member of the All-Decade Team, and shaped the career of Russell Wilson in the process.
But once Wilson was traded, his tenure with the team lasted just two more years, and Seattle decided to part ways after the 2023 season.
Now, rumblings of a possible return to NFL coaching circles are making the rounds. Pat McAfee caught up with Wilson on “The Pat McAfee Show” to get his thoughts on Carroll joining the coaching carousel in pursuit of a new gig.
Russell Wilson Has Nothing But Love for Coach Pete Carroll
Despite being on different rosters for three seasons, Wilson has nothing but love and respect for the man who gave him his first break in the NFL. Speaking on McAfee’s show, he was all praise for a football genius mind who might find his way back to the league
Both the head coaching position with the Las Vegas Raiders and a defensive coordinator job with the San Francisco 49ers are potential destinations already churning in the rumor mill. The way Wilson describes it, Carroll might be the man for the job.
“I thought Coach Carroll did a tremendous job of leading us and pushing us every day to be our best back then and us players wanted it,” Wilson said. “We wanted that level of work and attention…
“I think Pete’s an amazing football coach, I think he’s an amazing individual. I’ve been fortunate to play for two really special coaches in terms of men and how they think and how they process the game. I’ve seen Coach Pete Carroll and obviously, Coach Mike Tomlin are really unique individuals and how they lead and motivate, I think they’re culture builders.”
"Coach Carroll is an amazing football coach & an amazing individual..
We've always stayed in touch & I went and saw him with a lot of the other guys when he got let go by Seattle..
If Sherm & I can be in the same room it's always a good thing" 😂😂 ~ @DangeRussWilson #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/zXzIxsY98n
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 22, 2025
The veteran quarterback remained hopeful that Carroll could find a job and confident in his performance if should he land one.
“I think Pete will do a great job wherever he goes,” Wilson said. “I’m not sure exactly where he’s looking or whatever but if he gets the opportunity, I know he’ll do a great job.”
Carroll gave Wilson one of the best starts possible to a career and he responded in kind. First, he chose him after training camp to be the starter in his rookie season. For a third-round rookie on a team with a new quarterback, that was particularly bold. It immediately paid dividends as Seattle finished with an 11-5 record, and Wilson broke the all-time rookie passer rating record and tied the all-time rookie ] touchdowns record.
This season, Wilson finished as the league’s 17th-best quarterback by PFN’s QB+ metric.
After that explosive start to his career, Wilson’s second year was even better. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl and Wilson dispelled any doubts about him or the decision by Carroll. From there, the two made Seattle a regular playoff contender, with Wilson posting seven seasons with over 4,000 total yards and making the dance eight times before his eventual trade.
