Russell Wilson is Russell Wilson.
That’s the highlight of The Athletic’s report on Friday that Wilson took possession during his waning stint with the Seattle Seahawks to try and ditch general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. According to the report, Wilson wanted Carroll replaced by Sean Payton, his new coach with the Denver Broncos.
The Seahawks declined to comment publicly on the report. A lawyer for Wilson wrote in a letter to The Athletic that the report that the quarterback was possessed to fire Schneider and Carroll was “entirely fabricated.” Wilson also denied in a tweet that he wanted the coach and GM fired.
However, in his final years in Seattle, Wilson had expressed growing frustration that Carroll had not opened up the offense enough for his liking, leading to the firing of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
A month after Wilson’s reported request, the Seahawks sent him to the Broncos in a blockbuster trade last March, earning two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick and three player: quarterback Drew Lock , tight end Noah Fant and defenseman Shelby Harris.
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The Speak crew discussed the issues Russell Wilson faced in Seattle and how they might affect his future.
“It was a huge event,” Schneider told FOX Sports in November when asked about stepping away from Wilson. “After going through it with Brett in Green Bay [Favre], which helped a lot with self-confidence. Obviously we weren’t ready to leave Aaron Rodgers in the garage. But that was a huge phase. … I just felt like the whole organization did a great job.”
Seattle left with journeyman Geno Smith to replace Wilson, and the Seahawks surprised NFL watchers by finishing 9-8 and advancing into the postseason. Smith started in every game, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl and the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
In Denver, Wilson was treated like a rock star and given his own second-floor office for his personal quarterback coach, nutritionist and therapist.
The result? The nine-time Pro Bowler had his worst season as a pro after signing a $245 million extension, with career lows in completion percentage (60.5), passing touchdowns (16), and passer rating (84, 4). Wilson has been fired a career-high 55 times.
The Broncos finished last in the NFL in points per game (16.9) and third-down conversions (29.1%).
With former New Orleans Saints coach Payton now on board, the Broncos are hoping the 2010 Super Bowl champion can fix Wilson by persuading the Wisconsin product to play like the quarterback he became in Drew Brees looked up.
Wilson and Payton appeared very friendly at their dinner during Super Bowl week.
However, it appears Payton will be ready to take back Wilson’s control at the Denver facility and hold the veteran quarterback accountable for his on-field errors.
“That’s alien to me,” Payton said during his introductory press conference when asked if Wilson had his own staff in the building. “It’s not going to happen here. I don’t know, but our staff will be here, our players will be here and that’s it.”
Wilson tried unsuccessfully to assert his control in Seattle. And while he seemed to get what he wanted early on in Denver, that control didn’t lend itself to winning.
And with a new head coach and owner in Mile High City, Wilson looks set to return to the role he had in Seattle, of being a key member of an organization run by a strong sideline leader.
Eric D. Williams has been covering the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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