The Seattle Seahawks had a frustrating run in the previously concluded NFL season. Initially, the football community expected a faceoff between the Kam Chancellor team and the New England Patriots of Tom Brady. However, both the Carolina Panthers of Cam Newton and the Denver Broncos of Von Miller crept up on the early favorites to eventually battle it out in the Super Bowl 50. Amid the disappointment and frustrations in their gameplays and strategies, one person in the Seattle Seahawks roster has been receiving flak throughout the season.
Russell Wilson, who was pegged as the next Peyton Manning in 2012, has become the subject of criticism since the Seattle Seahawks' performance started to wane. The quarterback had been blamed for the holdout of Kam Chancellor early on last NFL season. Wilson was criticized for the poor calls of the Seattle Seahawks in crucial football matches not only by the fans but also by fellow teammate Marshawn Lynch. Even the blossoming relationship of the quarterback with singer Ciara was dragged into the mess, citing the romance as a distraction from the game.
Hence, some fans believe that the Seattle Seahawks might be looking into ways to lessen their reliance on Wilson. Rumors has it that Pete Carroll and the rest of the staff are considering the return of Tarvaris Jackson into the quarterback lineup. The 32-year-old free agent is rumored to be eyed as a reliable substitute for the inconsistent Wilson.
"We really liked his contributions and he's been a big factor for us and we would like to have him back if we could," commented Carroll on the potential return of Jackson to the Seattle Seahawks roster. Aside from the Jimmy Graham team, Jackson also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. With Jackson's return, is Wilson's job in danger? Will the Christian quarterback be benched to give way to a more experienced player in the gridiron?
Carroll gave a mixed reaction regarding the matter. In speaking about Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks head coach noted that the 27-year-old star has yet to reach his peak. Citing Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers as an example, Carroll noted that Wilson still has a long way to go to be able to reach his maximum potential. While he is optimistic that the time will come for his quarterback to achieve the best version of himself, Carroll also pointed out the need for Wilson to work harder in the years to come.
"I don't think he's going to make it this year," shared Carroll, referring to the possibility of Wilson reaching his peak this coming NFL season. He added, "I think he's got a few more years. It's hard for you guys to realize it, but you go back to Aaron [Rodgers], he didn't play for a long time. He was watching the game, watching [Brett] Favre play, and then it took him some years to get going, and he's like year nine, year 10 or whatever the heck he is now. But he's played a lot of years. Russell is just trying to get into it, so I think there is more football for him to understand, there's more for him to command, and we are going to keep going for it. We can't talk to him now... so this is kind of a dead period for growth. But when we get him back in there, we are going to get after it."
Despite his cynicism on the speed by which Wilson will reach his maximum potential, the Seattle Seahawks head coach expressed his confidence over the quarterback's ability to eventually become one of the best franchise players in the NFL.
Caroll said, "There is nothing holding him back -- work ethic, he has the smarts, the mentality and the physical makeup to do whatever you can do in this game. We just need to keep pressing ahead in that regard so he can totally command all aspects of the game."
