Seahawks Could Replace Pete Carroll With Cowboys Coach, Says Insider
The prevailing conjecture about the future of Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is intensifying. Albert Breer of Sport’s Illustrated reports that he is “less sure” than he was a year ago about Carroll’s prospects. Breer reports that Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is being “floated around” as a possible replacement should Carroll decide to retire.
Seattle still has one more month to save the season, obviously. Nevertheless, considering the team’s current losing streak, the NFL insider wonders if Carroll may think about retiring this offseason.
“… I’d say I’m less sure of it than I have been in recent years,” Breer wrote on December 14, 2023. “Going into this year, it sure looked like the Seahawks were creeping closer toward having the kind of core group of players they did in Carroll’s early years, with a very solid 2022 draft class coming back and the ’23 class bursting with promise.
“… Because, while coming into this year I thought that infusion of young talent might keep Carroll around for a while, if the coach doesn’t think he’s that close, it could alter his decision on returning for next season (during which he’ll turn 73),” Breer added.
“And the idea that Seattle would try to get Cowboys DC Dan Quinn (who was Seattle’s DC for its two Super Bowl trips a decade ago) if Carroll were to retire has been floated around a little. Which … the Seahawks could do a lot worse than that, if this were to be it.”
A Return to the Seattle Seahawks Could Have Some Appeal to Dallas Cowboys DC Dan Quinn
Quinn has been reluctant to leave Dallas in recent offseasons, even for another head coaching role. The Seahawks job could be appealing given Quinn has familiarity with the franchise. Quinn was the Seattle defensive coordinator during their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, including the team’s title run in the 2013 season.
The veteran coach would also have the advantage of having an established general manager in John Schneider. Seattle has had a strong track record of success with the rosters Schneider has helped construct.
Seahawks Rumors: Would Pete Carroll Walk Away on a Losing Note?
Carroll’s motto is “always compete,” thus it’s hard to conceive that the head coach would be forced to give up football because of a setback. Carroll will probably be more driven to come back and demonstrate that his coaching style is still effective.
Carroll may come under increasing pressure if the Seahawks’ losing habits carry over into the end of the season. Jody Allen, the chairman of the Seahawks, has, however, consistently supported Carroll—even over Russell Wilson. Carroll leaving the Seahawks in the wake of their recent setbacks only seems feasible if ownership forces him to.
More losing would only intensify the Seahawks rumors about Carroll’s future with the franchise.
Cowboys Rumors: Dan Quinn Is Once Again Being Labeled a Top NFL Head Coaching Candidate
What is realistic is Quinn will once again be a popular candidate during the NFL head coaching carousel. CBS Sports’ insider Jonathan Jones notes that teams best candidates could be defensive-minded coaches like Quinn.
In a piece published on December 9 titled “Why the upcoming NFL hiring cycle could mark the return of the defensive-minded head coach,” Jones explained, “Teams that may be pegged to go offense after Black Monday may very well find their best options are on the defensive side.” There are a number of deserving contenders in the position of defensive coordinator right now.
Both Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks have had success coaching teams that play some of the greatest basketball in the league. Time has strengthened Wilks’ tenures as interim head coach in Carolina last year and in Arizona, when he almost won a Super Bowl with the Falcons.
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