Before the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Broncos, the quarterback called on team fire coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, league sources told The Athletic. On Friday, Wilson denied the report in a tweet, saying, “I never wanted[Carroll or Schneider]fired.” Here’s what you need to know:
- According to league sources, who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity, Wilson was convinced Carroll and Schneider were stifling his pursuit of additional Super Bowls and individual awards because they weren’t authorized to discuss the details.
- The quarterback had his eye on a preferred replacement: Sean Payton, who recently resigned from the New Orleans Saints.
- Wilson petitioned for the trainer and GM to be fired in February 2022. Within days of his call, senior team officials met and decided to proceed with the trade in the nine-time Pro Bowler, the sources said.
- Payton and Wilson are now united in Denver after the Broncos hired the coach this offseason.
backstory
On March 8, 2022, the Seahawks leadership publicly endorsed Carroll and Schneider by sending Wilson, the winningest quarterback in franchise history, to the Broncos for five draft picks and three players.
Before the start of the 2022 season, Wilson waived his no-trade clause and signed a five-year, $245 million extension. He told his new teammates that he endorsed Denver as his destination because he believed the Broncos could win championships.
In his first season in Denver, however, Wilson’s plans did not get off to a good start. He threw for 3,524 yards with career-lows in touchdowns (16) and completion percentage (60.5) in 15 games. The Broncos went 5-12, including a Week 1 loss to Seattle, and finished last in the AFC West. Amidst Denver’s poor season, the team fired coach Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games in his freshman year with the organization.
To learn more about Wilson and his disastrous first season with the Broncos, read the full story of The Athletic by Kalyn Kahler, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks here.
What you say
On Friday, Wilson responded to the report on Twitter.
“I love Pete and he was a father figure to me and John believed in me and raised me too,” Wilson said. “I never wanted them fired. All each of us wanted was to win. I will always respect her and love Seattle.”
GO DEEPER
“Too much impact,” too few wins in Russell Wilson’s freshman year with the Broncos
(Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)