Seahawks getting ready for relaunch
Sometimes, successful businesses need a fresh coat of paint, both on the wall and on the whiteboard. Things can become stale and employees are in need of a change of scenery, whether they want one or not. The National Football League is no different, and the Seattle Seahawks are about to undergo a full-fledged makeover.
Seattle made some surprising moves on Wednesday morning, ousting long-time offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who has been with the club for seven seasons. Defensive coordinator Kris Richard is reportedly also being allowed to seek other jobs.
Later in the day, offensive line coach Tom Cable was fired, something that was both deserved and yet unexpected. While head coach Pete Carroll is remaining in his position, he’s the oldest coach in the NFL at 66. He has to be thinking about one more run before hanging up his proverbial whistle.
In that vein, Carroll — known for intense loyalty to assistant coaches — is making moves. He’s scrubbing the old slate clean and looking for a new vision. One that almost certainly revolves around Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson instead of the ageing Legion of Boom. Wilson is 29 years old and in the prime of his career. If the Seahawks don’t make the roster’s strengths about him now, it won’t happen. Considering he’s a Hall of Fame talent, that would be a grave error.
Looking at the offseason ahead, it’s simple to conjure up an idea of what is going to happen. General manager John Schneider is likely looking to get younger and leaner on salary. This means the departures of free agents Jimmy Graham and Sheldon Richardson. In addition, there are the potential retirements and/or releases of Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, all of which open up significant cap space.
Reboot
With that newly-found money, the Seahawks can build a respectable offensive line and protect Wilson for the first time in years. Additionally, they can begin finding a running game that has been lost since Marshawn Lynch retired following the 2015 season. Factor in another set of draft picks, and Seattle can reload fairly quickly, even if 2018 is probably going to be a minor step back in the standings due to ample turnover.
After making the playoffs every year of Wilson’s career before missing out in Week 17 of this season, the Seahawks have earned the equity of resetting what has been one of the more recently-successful franchises in sports.
Every good thing must come to an end, and while this Seattle team won a Super Bowl and reached another, the time has come to reboot.
