Russell Wilson Denies Requesting Firing of Carroll and Schneider, Moves to Denver Broncos
On February 25, 2023, Russell Wilson took to Twitter to deny a report from The Athletic claiming that the quarterback asked the Seattle Seahawks to fire head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider.[0] According to The Athletic, Wilson had become convinced that Carroll and Schneider were inhibiting his chances of winning additional Super Bowls and individual awards.[1]
Wilson responded to the report by tweeting: “I love Pete and he was a father figure to me and John believed in me and drafted me as well. I never wanted them fired. All any of us wanted was to win. l’ll always have respect for them and love for Seattle.”[2]
The report also suggests that Wilson had a preferred replacement for Carroll in mind: former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, who had recently resigned from his role.[3] Sure enough, Payton was hired as Wilson's coach in Denver weeks later.[4]
Wilson's first season with the Broncos was a disaster, with the team finishing 5-12 and last in the AFC West, and Wilson having career-lows in touchdowns (16) and completion percentage (60.5).[5] The Broncos also fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games.[6]
Sources from the team stated that Hackett usually communicated the play calls to Wilson with 20-25 seconds still remaining on the 40-second play clock, which was the case in the match against Houston, leaving plenty of time.[7] It was reported that Wilson occasionally had difficulty relaying the plays quickly or gave too much advice to his teammates when in the huddle.[8]
When he was traded to the Broncos, Wilson was provided with his own office, something he didn't have while with the Seahawks.[9] Denver's facilities housed the team's coaches and executives on the second floor.[10] While Wilson was the new quarterback in town, some felt it created an off putting dynamic with the Broncos.[10]
During Wilson's inaugural year in Denver, things got a bit peculiar.[11] On Tuesdays, which is usually a rest day for everyone, Wilson not only had his own office at the Broncos' practice facility, but he expected other offensive players to join him in watching film.[11] Jake Heaps, Wilson's personal quarterback coach, would take part in these meetings even though he had no official connection to the team.[11]
The Denver Broncos traded further draft picks to bring Wilson to join Payton on their team.[4]
0. “QB Russell Wilson denies he wanted Seahawks’ Pete Carroll, GM fired” Sportsnet.ca, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/qb-russell-wilson-denies-he-wanted-seahawks-pete-carroll-gm-fired
1. “Russell Wilson Responds To Report Claiming He Asked For Pete Carroll & John Schnider To Be Fired While In Seattle” Daily Snark, 24 Feb. 2023, https://dailysnark.com/2023/02/24/russell-wilson-responds-to-report-claiming-he-asked-for-pete-carroll-john-schnider-to-be-fired-while-in-seattle/
2. “Russell Wilson Was Dealt to Denver After Failed Seattle Power Play” InsideHook, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/sports/russell-wilson-dealt-denver-pete-carroll
3. “Russell Wilson Denies Wanting Pete Carroll Fired, Father Figure To Me” TMZ, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.tmz.com/2023/02/24/russell-wilson-denies-wanting-pete-carroll-fired/
4. “Bump & Stacy react to report Wilson wanted Seahawks to fire Carroll, Schneider” Seattle Sports, 24 Feb. 2023, https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1743030/bump-stacy-react-to-report-wilson-wanted-seahawks-to-fire-carroll-schneider
5. “Russell Wilson denies a report that claims he wanted the Seahawks to fire Pete Carroll” Marca English, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.marca.com/en/nfl/seattle-seahawks/2023/02/24/63f8fd27e2704ead0a8b45d3.html
6. “Russell Wilson reportedly asked Seahawks to fire Pete Carroll for Sean Payton before he was traded to Broncos” Yahoo Sports, 24 Feb. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/russell-wilson-reportedly-asked-seahawks-to-fire-pete-carroll-for-sean-payton-before-he-was-traded-to-broncos-140611606.html
7. “New report about Wilson validates Pete Carroll's wristband comments” Seahawks Wire, 24 Feb. 2023, https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2023/02/24/athletic-report-about-wilson-validates-pete-carrolls-wristband-comments/
8. “Report: Broncos OL Would Tell Russell Wilson ‘Hell No' When QB Tried to Make Changes” Bleacher Report, 24 Feb. 2023, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10066680-report-broncos-ol-would-tell-russell-wilson-hell-no-when-qb-tried-to-make-changes
9. “Report: They Gave Russell Wilson A Big-Boy Office” Defector, 24 Feb. 2023, https://defector.com/report-they-gave-russell-wilson-a-big-boy-office
10. “Broncos: Russell Wilson's office drama proves Shannon Sharpe right” ClutchPoints, 24 Feb. 2023, https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-news-shannon-sharpe-russell-wilson-denver-office-drama
11. “Russell Wilson allegedly wanted Pete Carroll fired, plus Jeff Bezos eyeing Commanders, AFC East team needs” CBS Sports, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/russell-wilson-allegedly-wanted-pete-carroll-fired-plus-jeff-bezos-eyeing-commanders-afc-east-team-needs/
