Pete Carroll suggests he was pushed out by Seahawks

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks shockingly announced that they would be parting ways on Wednesday, but Carroll added some extra intrigue to the move shortly after it was made public.

Carroll spoke to the media shortly after the team announced that he would move into a front office role. The 72-year-old said he would aid in the search for his successor, but dropped one bit of information suggesting that the move was not really his call.

Why did Pete Carroll agree to step aside? "I competed pretty hard to be the coach, just so you know."

At age 72, Carroll said: "I realize I'm about as old as you can get in this business." Says it's a good move for the organization and he went along with it.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 10, 2024

“I competed pretty hard to be the coach, just so you know,” Carroll told reporters.

Carroll added that it was too soon for him to discuss whether he might coach again, but pointedly did not close the door on the possibility.

Asked what he'd do if the right head coaching job came along, Carroll says it's too soon to talk about that. So, not slamming the door at a time Carroll is making clear he still wanted to and believes he can coach.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 10, 2024

It certainly sounds like Carroll was pushed out by the Seahawks, who wanted to go in a different direction. Carroll is proving to be a good sport about it, but the quotes certainly point to that outcome. He said he was eager to continue in his job on Sunday after the team’s final game, and did not really back away from that sentiment even after his departure was announced.

Perhaps Carroll will not be taking another job this offseason, but it would be foolish to rule him out of any position going forward.