Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks.
2021 was a very interesting (and disappointing) year for the Seattle Seahawks. There was a fundamental change in the franchise’s fortunes. It may also be the final year a couple of Seahawks stalwarts spend in the Emerald City.
The Seattle Seahawks started 2021 by playing in the Wild Card game as the NFC West Division winners, as Seattle would continue their winning ways with a final week win over the 49ers. However, they couldn’t get out of their own way against the Rams in the first round. Who knew then that the 12-4 Seahawks would start a subtle implosion process over the next 12 months.
Seattle had one of the smallest draft classes in the history of the NFL. The Seahawks made a whopping three picks. Heading into the 2021 season, it was widely believed the Seahawks didn’t have many pressing needs. Upgrade on the offensive line was at the top, but otherwise, the team was pretty stacked. Near the end of the second round, the Seahawks picked a speedy wide receiver out of Western Michigan University in D’Wayne Eskridge. So far, he’s been a bust with 10 catches in 9 games for 64 yards.
In the fourth round, Schneider and company took Oklahoma corner, Tre Brown, who has accomplished very little. He’s currently on injured reserve after playing in five games. But to be fair, Brown has shown promise in pass coverage. The final pick of the 2021 draft for Seattle was Florida offensive tackle, Stone Forsythe. Forsythe has lined up on the offensive line 14 times this season but has played on special teams.
For most of the offseason, there was high drama about Russell Wilson. In February, he made an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show and was critical of his offensive line, and wanted more say in the offense.
A day later, Russ’s agent released a list of teams that would be ideal enough destinations for Wilson to waive his no-trade clause. In March, it was more than rumored; there is enough information to put the pieces together that a trade to the Chicago Bears was heavily considered by Seahawks management.
Then during the season, another list of teams was brought into the conversation while Russell Wilson was nursing his hand back to health. It was an ill-timed injury that not only exposed his backup, Geno Smith, as ineffective, but in all likelihood, was made worse by Wilson coming back early and struggling for a couple of games.
Since 2012 it was a given that linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright were the Seattle Seahawks Batman and Robin. Most 12s could envision the duo playing their entire careers together in Seahawks uniforms. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Wright’s contract expired after the 2020 season and the team had little interest in bringing him back. Now he is one game away from going to the playoffs with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Seahawks have done so much winning over the last decade that some fans probably forgot how losing feels. Okay, that’s not true, as most 12s are also Mariners fans. Seattle had nine consecutive winning seasons with Pete Carroll as head coach and Wilson under center. However, at the close of the year, the Seahawks were sitting at 5-10. 5-7 with Wilson at quarterback.
Other than losing games, there were other happenings during the regular season. Bobby Wagner set a new record for tackles by a Seattle Seahawks player. Tyler Lockett was the fastest Seahawks receiver to 1,000 yards. COVID outbreaks. Bell cow running back Chris Carson got injured, and one of his replacements, Rashaad Penny, became the first Seahawks back to rush for 300+ yards combined in a two-game span since Shaun Alexander.
D.K. Metcalf was meh. The offensive line was meh as well. Russell Wilson still held on to the ball too long. The defense struggled to start the season. Jamal Adams, who set an NFL record for most sacks by a defensive back, was ineffective most of the season then wound up on IR with a shoulder injury. Wagner said he needs to reevaluate where he wants to be next year. Wilson isn’t sure he’ll be with the team next season as well.
Losing also brings out the worst in us. Most fans have called for Carroll’s head, General Manager John Schneider’s head, Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton’s head, and Wilson to be traded. Losing happens, and 2021 saw the Seattle Seahawks losing more games than they have in a long time. To add insult to injury the team doesn’t have a first-round pick in 2022 either.
What are your thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks 2021? Let us know in the comments section below.