3 things the Seattle Seahawks need from the coaching staff in 2023
By Lee Vowell
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5485,h_3085,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/36/01h671yppf8nrz65s1x9.jpg)
The Seattle Seahawks have a talented roster, but many players still need to prove they can play in the NFL. Even last year's rookie class which did really well cannot afford to have a collective sophomore slump for Seattle to reach team goals in 2023. Plus, this offseason's rookie class needs to be near-2022 quality.
But teams aren't simply good or bad because of the players, of course. A great coach can take a team that is simply mediocre and mold them into being greater than the sum of the parts. Pete Carroll arguably did this with the Seahawks last year.
But in 2023, if all gels well, Seattle could compete with any team it plays and defeat most of them. NFL seasons, though, are won or lost sometimes based on the tiniest things. A coaching snafu could cost a team an important game. Here are three things that the Seattle players need from their coaching staff this coming year.
Seahawks need smarter time management from Pete Carroll
12s have longed complained about Pete Carroll's clock management. For a coach of his tenure and with his years in the NFL, it would seem as if he would have the knowledge of how to teach his team when and how to approach the offensive and defensive lines down pat. But Carroll still seems to struggle with calling timeouts, especially in the middle of games, as Seattle often times doesn't have all the timeouts they need.
Seattle also struggles with time of possession. And yeah, sure. Part of this might have to do with how the offense is being run and what the Seahawks defense is doing well, but for many years now Seattle has had an issue with other teams dictating pace of play. Seattle was 31st in time of possession in 2022, easily last in 2021, 20th in 2020. The issue is that the offensive and defensive coordinators have changed and so has the quarterback, but the constant is Carroll.
That implies that the Seahawks struggle with time of possession and the priority of ball control comes from the top of the coaching tree down. Also, in a study by the Ringer, Carroll's teams still had a bad habit in 2022 of having to call timeouts for operational mistakes - offensive play-calls not coming in quick enough, wrong personnel on the field on defense, or special teams. During this training camp, Carroll seemingly should make sure there is a sense of urgency in having the right people on the field as quickly as possible before a play happens.