Wilson and Carroll had a tremendous amount of success together, establishing themselves as one of the best quarterback-head coach tandems in NFL history. During their tenure together, the Seahawks went 104-53-1, the second-best record in the NFL, trailing only the New England Patriots.
The Seahawks missed the playoffs only twice during Wilson and Carroll’s career together.
While there’s no denying they’re one of the best quarterback-head coaching tandems of all time, the split wasn’t pretty.
Wilson was dealt to the Denver Broncos in a high-profile trade during the 2022 offseason in which the Seahawks received two first-round picks and two second-round picks, as well as numerous senior players such as quarterback Drew Lock, defensive tackle Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant.
Following Wilson’s trade to the Broncos, reports surfaced that he wanted Carroll replaced as head coach by Sean Payton – his eventual head coach in Denver.
The Athletic reports:
“Convinced that Carroll and Schneider were impeding his quest for more Super Bowls and individual awards, Wilson asked Seahawks ownership to fire both of them, according to league sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details.” Wilson also has a chosen candidate in mind: Sean Payton, who recently resigned as head coach of the New Orleans Saints.”
Soon after, Wilson refuted the report, which included the implication that he wanted general manager John Schneider dismissed.
“I love Pete, he was like a father figure to me, and John believed in me and drafted me as well,” Wilson wrote on February 24, 2023. “I never intended for them to be fired. The only thing any of us wanted was to win. I’ll always have admiration for them and a soft spot for Seattle.”
Despite the allegation, Carroll dismissed any animosity between him and his former quarterback.
“I’m always going to hang out with them, and I’ll never leave them,” Carroll stated at the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2023. “I’m going to be there at the end of everything, good and bad.” I’m still going to be there. That’s all. “I’m on the ledge.”
Carroll and the Seahawks upset Wilson’s Broncos in the season opener in 2022 before securing a playoff spot with Geno Smith as quarterback that year. However, Seattle failed to make the playoffs this year, whereas the Broncos failed to make the playoffs in both of Wilson’s seasons as quarterback.
With Wilson maybe searching for a new team after being benched at the end of the regular season, it’s reasonable to assume that both the former head coach and franchise quarterback value their time and accomplishments together.
