If a Seattle Seahawks fan went away on a trip for a year and a half, they wouldn't recognize the team upon their return. Long-time head coach Pete Carroll was removed from his duties last offseason. This offseason, the team moved on from quarterback Geno Smith and wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Smith and Metcalf wanted out. Carroll and Lockett didn't. But now Carroll and Smith have reunited with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Metcalf and Lockett have both moved east.
Part of the issues for Carroll in his last seasons with the Seahawks is that he was far too loyal to his assistant coaches and some players. This is a fantastic quality in a human being, but not for a coach. One has to have the ability to observe and be proactive, rather than reacting too late to a negative situation.
Seahawks should be relieved that Tyler Lockett will not be joining Pete Carroll
Specifically, Carroll should have never hired Clint Hurtt as the team's defensive coordinator in 2022, and the former offensive coordinator should have been fired before Carroll lost his head coaching duties. His lack of willingness to move on from them led directly to his downfall.
Carroll is now the head coach of the Raiders, but he is not the Vice President of Football Operations as he was in Seattle. That is a role he filled with the Seahawks, which gave him the final say over all roster moves. His lack of that ability in Las Vegas means he can focus on the on-field product, which should be good for the Raiders.
Unfortunately for one former Seahawks player, it means Carroll cannot add any player he wants. Las Vegas has a need at wide receiver, and bringing in Tyler Lockett would have been a solid move. That didn't happen, and instead, Lockett signed with the Tennessee Titans. This might not be good news for Carroll, but it should be for 12s.
As a fan base, Seahawks fans were split on how they felt about Smith, but there is universal love for Lockett. There always will be. The quarterback having a reunion with Carroll is whatever. Lockett joining Carroll would be twisting the proverbial knife, as he would have left the Seahawks to sign with the team where Carroll is the new coach.
There is little doubt that Carroll would have liked to have Lockett. But his loyalty is now limited by the constraints of his position with the Raiders. Seahawks fans should be happy about that.