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Former Seahawk Has Telling Comments On Why Russell Wilson Wanted Out

NFL insider believes we're witnessing the end of the Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson partnership after the team's disappointing 3-7 start to the season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 05: Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates after a play with Head Coach Pete Carroll in the first half during the NFL Playoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles on January 05, 2020 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Former tight end Greg Olsen only played for the Seattle Seahawks for one season. But that was more than enough time for him to realize that the team had done a poor job of using Russell Wilson’s talents.

During an appearance on The Colin Cowherd PodcastOlsen had some interesting remarks when speaking on the Seahawks coaching staff during his time there.

“I never thought they had a personnel issue,” Olsen told Cowherd. “The conversations I would have with the coaches and the amount of pushback and the amount of questions I would get in return, saying ‘I’m not sure if we could do this. I’m not sure if we could protect this.’ I’d sit there scratching my head. It was like we were playing with a JV roster. It was like we were playing with a rookie undrafted quarterback. It was very interesting to me.

“The ideology there was always defense first, kicking game, punt the ball, field position, forced turnovers, and then hand the ball over to Russ at the end of the game and say, ‘Go be magic.’ I just think it was part of Russell’s frustration. I think it’s why he said, ‘I want to go somewhere where this is going to be an offensive, quarterback-driven team every Sunday with the ball in my hand, like Aaron Rodgers.’”

To Greg Olsen’s point, Pete Carroll has always had a run-first ideology. And even with a true Hall of Fame talent like Russell Wilson, he never seemed to “let Russ cook”.

Despite everything, Wilson will undoubtedly have great feelings about his entire tenure with the Seahawks. He’s yet to release a long statement or speak after the trade to the Broncos, but on Wednesday, he posted a short message to the Seattle fan base.

“SEATTLE, I Love You. Forever Grateful. #3,” he wrote on Twitter.

Like Greg Olsen alluded to, I’d expect the offense to be much more tailored around Russell Wilson’s talents in Denver.


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