Schneider is signed; time to get Pete Carroll signed too

Aug 15, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) talks with general manager John Schneider before a game against the San Diego Chargers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) talks with general manager John Schneider before a game against the San Diego Chargers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks finally locked up their general manager with a new contract. Now they need to get Pete Carroll signed as well.

Seattle Seahawks fans got some amazing news earlier today. John Schneider, the team’s general manager, signed a long-term extension. While that is awesome, I sure hope the team realizes that the job is only half done.

That is because head coach Pete Carroll still has a contract that is due to expire after this season. The Seahawks need to make sure that this gets done as soon as possible and keep this dynamic duo together for the foreseeable future.

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Schneider is the man responsible for stocking the roster full of all that incredible talent, but talent alone didn’t bring Seattle a championship. The Seahawks win because of Carroll’s ability to get the most out of that talent.

For the Seahawks to continue to contend they need to have both pieces of this puzzle. There have been plenty of great rosters that have failed to win titles. There’s also been plenty of great coaches that flamed out while leading terrible teams.

At some point Pete Carroll is going to retire. We all know that. With Tom Coughlin’s departure from the Giants, Carroll is now officially the oldest head coach in the NFL. If you see how much energy he has at practice though, then you know that retirement isn’t going to be for at least a few more years.

Carroll doesn’t stand there and observe while holding a clipboard like many coaches do. He’s always out there teaching, motivating, and occasionally playing QB during defensive back drills. There’s no reason to think he doesn’t have at least a few more seasons left.

And that is why it is so imperative that this deal gets done. Carroll still has incredibly strong ties to Los Angeles area from his time at USC. If Jeff Fisher fails once again this season (and given his entire career, there no reason to suspect he won’t do so), the Rams won’t hesitate to swoop in and pluck Carroll away from the Seahawks.

Next: Seahawks sign Schneider to long term extension

The Seahawks cannot let that happen. This isn’t a team in transition. The championship window is wide open.

It is time to get Pete Carroll signed.