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Brady HendersonESPN
SEATTLE – Russell Wilson did not want the Seattle Seahawks to move from Brian Schottenheimer as their offensive coordinator.
He wants to say some in their next.
Wilson made this last point known to coach Pete Carroll and reporters during a video conference on Thursday.
“I think it’s vital, it’s critical, very significant, obviously I’m part of this process,” Wilson said. “The coach and I definitely talked about it, [general manager John Schneider] just as good. We had some … wonderful dialogues about the thought process about who we want, the leader … the innovator, all the different kinds of things you want. I think this is the very critical thing, obviously at this point in my career because you spend every day with that person … No matter how many hours I spent with me and Schotty, I will miss the guy because I spent a lot of time together and we worked so hard.
“The next person, whoever that is, is really essential to always be on the same page and to always talk and vibrate and really be on the same page.”
The Seahawks announced Tuesday that Schottenheimer has come out after three seasons, citing philosophical differences. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Carroll and Schottenheimer met Monday night and decided that the separation was in the best interests of both parties.
“If you ask me if I’m in her favor, no,” Wilson said, choosing his words carefully. “It was not my decision to change [from] Schotty. But I think Coach Carroll made that decision. I trust his decision. “
Schottenheimer’s departure came after the end of a strange season in which the Seahawks scored the most points in the franchise’s history, but fell sharply in the second half of the season. Their fighting continued last weekend, in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams with their wild card.
Wilson led the NFL with 28 touchdowns in the first nine weeks of the season, while Seattle led the league in scoring 34 points per game at the time. But Wilson threw just 12 touchdown passes in the last eight weeks of the regular season, while Seattle’s score dropped to 22.6 points per game.
Wilson praised Schottenheimer as a coach, leader and friend, saying he became close to Schottenheimer’s family.
“I think he’s going to be an amazing coach for someone else, for another team here, so hopefully,” Wilson said. “I think he will be the head coach. I think he has that kind of leadership ability. Unfortunately for us, I think in the eyes of the coach, it was about time to see if we could make a change. We were the best offense in football. for the first part of the season. He was an important part of that. “
If Wilson has a specific name in mind that he hopes to hire the Seahawks, he hasn’t given many clues. When asked what he was looking for in his next OC, Wilson mentioned leadership, a passion for football, teaching skills and the ability to find the strengths of all 11 players.