Could Kam Chancellor join the Seahawks coaching staff?
Kam Chancellor has apparently played his last down. His former defensive coordinator suggested Chancellor could stay with the Seahawks as a coach.
Kam Chancellor appears to have jettisoned his last opposing running back off the planet. He hasn’t officially retired because he’d be crazy to walk away from all that sweet Seahawks green. But there is an intriguing possibility that could make both Chancellor and Seattle very happy. Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn was the first to bring up the possibility of putting Chancellor to work as a coach.
Joining the Danny, Dave and Moore Show on 710 ESPN Seattle, Quinn had high praise for the man he coached in 2013 and 2014. He talked about the obliterating hits on linemen, about the acrobatic pick sixes. But most off all, Quinn talked about the man.
"As good as he was on the field, he has a presence about him when you’re around him off the field that just gravitated coaches, teammates…to him, because of his intense nature. And he’s such a cool guy. He didn’t mind having the uncomfortable conversations, and not a lot of players can do that."
When asked what he thought Chancellor would do in the future, he again praised the communication skills and connection that Chancellor creates with everyone around him.
"I know whatever he will [do], I’m hopeful that it involves a leadership role… if that involves coaching someday, which I think he would be excellent at. Whatever it is, my hope is that he has a chance to impact people, because that is one of his most amazing gifts, this connection that he has with others. When you’re in his presence you really feel special."
The entire interview is great, and totally worth the investment of fourteen minutes. It’s almost completely about Chancellor, so just kick back and listen. Quinn has some pretty sweet communications skills himself, as we already knew.
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Quinn endorses Kam. So what are the odd of this happening?
So Dan Quinn endorses Chancellor as a coach. I’m pretty sure Pete Carroll would be onboard with this idea too. So what’s stopping the Seahawks? Get this man a clipboard, pronto! Okay, a tablet, but you get the idea.
One of the things that’s holding it up is that extension he signed. As we mentioned already, Chancellor is owed a lot of cash due to the injury guarantee in his contract. He’ll get $6.8 million this year, and is owed another $5.2 million for 2019. It isn’t too likely that he’ll willingly give up that much money. The Seahawks would love it if he would, of course, as that would free up a lot of cap space for the team.
Is it possible for Chancellor to work out an agreement? Something like retire and sign an equivalent contract as a coach? Possible, yes, but it seems pretty unlikely. The NFL would take a dim view of trying to finagle the cap, and the Players Association would take a dim view of trying to work around the injury guarantee. For more on this, read the latest mailbag from the always brilliant Bob Condotta.
Next: Is Kam Chancellor a Hall of Famer?
Sadly, I can’t see this happening, at least not until 2020. Maybe by then, Chancellor will feel that itch that can only be scratched by being around the team. By being around his guys. And they would certainly be his guys, as long as he’s coaching the Seahawks. Hopefully Seattle keeps their eyes on Dan Quinn so he doesn’t poach our guy!