Making the choice to move on from a franchise-defining coach or player is never easy. The Seattle Seahawks have just moved on from from both in the span of a few short years.

The decision to move on from Russell Wilson was an easy one. Money was tight, and the relationship between Wilson and the Seahawks was getting rocky. Pete Carroll was a bit of a different story.

Carroll had been open about his desire to return, but that wasn't enough to keep him in the HC role. Now, the Seahawks need to find a new head coach to help make this frisky team a legitimate playoff threat, and that coach looks like Mike Vrabel.

The Seahawks sneakily have one of the best jobs that are now available. The NFC West is a bit of a bear, but the pieces in Seattle are good enough to keep up with any opponent in the NFC with the right coaching.

Pete Carroll not returning does come as a bit of a surprise due to the fact that he is a good coach, and this puts the pressure on the team to find an improvement on the open market.

That is no easy prospect when you try to replace the best coach in franchise history.

Of the coaches that are currently available, Mike Vrabel looks to be the best. Vrabel has fallen on tough times in recent years due to some questionable decisions from his front office, but it is hard to say that any of this is due to Vrabel as a coach.

When he has good quarterback play and the team doesn't move on from one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Vrabel was a consistent Coach of the Year candidate (winning the award in 2021).  Vrabel's players love him and always play hard for him. That absolutely translates to what the Seahawks want from their Carroll replacement.

The Seahawks should jump at the chance to add such a coach.

Vrabel has every attribute and then some to elevate the Seahawks back to a playoff team. From his defensive philosophy (which would mesh well with players like Devon Witherspoon) to how he manages an offense (which would elevate one of the best receiving corps in the league with a great quarterback), there isn't a better option out there that also has a proven record.

Vrabel has done way more with less in Tennessee.

As for this move from the coach's perspective, the Seahawks have a better quarterback than Vrabel has ever had (as a HC), some of the brightest defensive weapons in the league, and the best offensive weapons of Vrabel's career. 

To make the pairing even better, just imagine what that team would look like with Derrick Henry at running back. That move would absolutely be on the table if Seattle gets their guy.

The Seahawks are probably going to have to push hard to interest the hottest candidate on the market right now, but the appeal of joining a team that is very well constructed could be enough to make this pairing happen and take the entire franchise up a notch.

Seahawks’ shocking Pete Carroll decision marks end of an era

It’s come as a huge surprise.