Seahawks coach Carroll optimistic and relishing ‘exciting chase’
The Seattle Seahawks are widely expected to struggle in the new NFL season, but Pete Carroll prefers to look more optimistically.
Pete Carroll has heard all the talk that the Seattle Seahawks are in for a season of struggle, but the veteran coach has urged his team to enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Russell Wilson completed a decade as the starting quarterback for the Seahawks before departing in March for the Denver Broncos, and Seattle could find life exceedingly difficult in his absence.
Geno Smith looks to have fended off Drew Lock to emerge as Carroll’s preferred QB, but neither looks to possess the quality to plug the gap.
Lock (6.54) and Smith (5.88) were among the five worst quarterbacks (min. 50 attempts) by pickable pass percentage last season, and given Seattle’s defense has become one of the league’s weakest, it is not without good reason that many expect Seattle to prop up the NFC.
Carroll, who has been head coach of the Seahawks since 2010, is coming up for 72 next week, and his optimism still burns brightly.
His team start at home next Monday, against Wilson and the Broncos.
Carroll plays down negative talk
“I don’t care what anybody says. People have been saying stuff about teams for years,” Carroll said.
“They don’t know. They’re just guessing at this point, and then we go and prove it and we see where we are. Win a big game in the opener or struggle and not win a big game in the opener, you’ve got to come back and get going again and back on track regardless.”
Carroll added: “I just think we’re chasing instead of being chased, which I think is cool. I think it’s exciting.”
The coach led Seattle to Super Bowl glory in the 2013 season, but they finished with a 7-10 record last term.
The team’s 2022 captains were revealed on Monday, with Tyler Lockett on offense, Quandre Diggs and Al Woods on defense, and Nick Bellore on special teams.
“I love the leadership. I love the speed,” said Carroll, quoted by ESPN. “I love our style in all aspects and now we need to go out and show it and live up to what the expectations are. My expectations are very high.”
He has no time for preseason pessimism, adding: “I don’t see any reason my expectations should change at all.”