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The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Tuesday. Russell Wilson made it clear on Thursday that he is just the quarterback and would have preferred Schottenheimer’s return.
“I get a decent amount, but a coach [Pete Carroll] make those decisions, ”said Wilson, via Gregg Bell of The News Tribune.
Wilson answered “no” twice when asked if he was in favor of Schottenheimer’s departure after three seasons. The team cited “philosophical differences” as the reason for the resignation.
“I don’t think it was my decision to change ‘Schotty’,” said Wilson. “But I think Coach Carroll made that decision. I think I trust your decision. But at the same time, obviously Schotty and I have been so close. I mean, he’ll be a tremendous trainer elsewhere.
“But what I am in favor of is that our football team improves. If you ask me what is really important, it is winning championships. That’s what I’m for. I think what is really critical is any decision – be it the offensive coordinator or the guys we hire or recruit for all decisions throughout the season, the off season, everything else – philosophy, the most important thing is about this process of victory, and doing everything, we guarantee that we do that. I am always in favor of this, it is winning. So Coach Carroll decided it was time to make a change. Listen, he’s been doing this a lot longer than me. So you have to trust his decision. “
Wilson, however, means who the Seahawks will hire to replace Schottenheimer.
“I think that’s very important,” said Wilson. “I think coach Carroll and I have to be on the same page. We’ve been able to talk obviously over the past three days, Coach Carroll and me, about a lot of different things and everything and really trying to figure out ‘OK, do you know how far we can go? Where are we going? What is the plan?’ and all those things. And so I think a lot of that is for me and the coach, I hope we will be able to partner in the next person’s thinking process and really that person will really be able to help impact this football team, this organization, really be a great coach for us and help lead us to the promised land, obviously. “
The Seahawks averaged 34.3 points per game in the first eight games. They averaged 22.8 points for the rest of the season.
After running for MVP in the first half of the season, Wilson averaged 223.5 yards per game and made 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions in the final 10 games, including losing the wild card.