I have to rest he said: Seattle Seahawks confirm his retirement, about an hour ago….

Fire the most successful Seahawks coach in history? Following the dull defeat on Sunday, it might be time.

Up until Sunday, I found it difficult to accept that Pete Carroll was over. However, with the Steelers’ punishment of the Seahawks, the circumstances surrounding professional football in Seattle changed from “what if” to “who are we kidding.”

If you want to stick with what’s iffing, you may argue that the Seahawks still have a chance to make the playoffs if they defeat the Cardinals on Sunday and the Bears defeat the Packers. Then, because the Seahawks either defeated or were competitive against those teams during the regular season, you’ll talk yourself into thinking they will win their first-round matchup against Dallas, Philadelphia, or Detroit.

And you’ll believe the Seahawks are not too far off from returning to the Super Bowl with a few tweaks here and there if they win that first-round game only to be thoroughly embarrassed by the 49ers in the following round.

I’ve switched sides and question why I spent so much time being a what-iffer. It’s very obvious that Carroll’s Kool-Aid drinkers are not as knowledgeable about the Seahawks’ future as the who are we kidding folks.

In a matchup that will decide who is having the worst summer, the Seahawks and Mariners will square off if Carroll stays as head coach.

As a cynical skeptic, I value Carroll’s boundless energy and optimistic view of almost everything. However, it’s gotten too extravagant. I don’t want to hear about the things that used to make him so angry, especially when they don’t merit it.

Sunday’s events were concerning. At the line of scrimmage, the Steelers easily defeated the Seahawks. They primarily used standard straight-ahead running plays to rack up 202 yards of rushes. The Seahawks eventually had to realize what was coming, but they were unable to halt the assault.

The Steelers’ accumulation of yards after contact and the Seahawks’ apparent lack of tackle experience made the play increasingly absurd. Mason Rudolph, a third-string quarterback, went 18 for 24 for 274 yards since they were unable to stop the throw as well. That made me waver between the two camps, but his post-game statement that the Seahawks are genuinely anticipating Jamal Adams’ comeback in 2024 really made me want to kick and scream at the whores.

The Seahawks revealed prior to the game that they were benching their expensive safety for the season due to his inability to properly recover from a quad injury sustained in 2022. This season, Adams participated in just a few games and was mostly unproductive. It is reasonable to question why he was considered ready to go in October if he wasn’t in December.

Furthermore, even in full health, Adams has too many shortcomings to be worth playing time, if we’re being really honest. Therefore, knowing that he will return next season either eliminates or makes it more difficult to cut him when you have more time to consider your options and decide that your defense is stronger without him. Whether or not it puts you in salary cap hell, that is what needs to be done. Carroll appears unable of doing for Adams what Sean Payton accomplished for Russell Wilson, namely, making a wise choice when it is warranted.

It’s okay if you still want to support the Bears over the Packers and the Seahawks over the Cardinals. But remember, you’re rooting for another 9–8 campaign and another early playoff exit next year. A new coach with a fresh outlook would be welcome, as they could breathe new life into a defense that is in dire need of it and find a way to energize a talented but unreliable offense. Dusting Carroll carries the risk that his replacement is incompetent and the Seahawks collapse as a result. Carroll has undoubtedly been the greatest coach in team history, leading the team to winning seasons after winning ones, but it’s not good that they’ve gone from being extremely good to just mediocre.

I’ll cheer for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to have a similar day to theirs against the Seahawks as they did on Sunday in Philadelphia, where they pulled off the upset despite being double-digit underdogs. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll cheer for the Packers to win so we can put an end to the ridiculous notion that the Seahawks might win the Super Bowl this year. Even if they don’t, it’s still a positive move. Even if it means a 3–14 season while the rebuild is underway with greater rewards later, I’m ready for a total overhaul. Firing the greatest coach in the team’s history would be a risky move, but it’s a necessary one right now.