Seattle Seahawks: Play of Russell Wilson Gives Pete Carroll Nothing to Lose by Naming the Rookie as Starter

By Nate Kuester
Senior Writer

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll isn’t in quite the quagmire many would think he would be in if he chooses to name rookie quarterback Russell Wilson as the team’s starting quarterback, instead of offseason acquisition Matt Flynn.

Based on his play and smooth decision making ability in the Seahawks’ 44-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Wilson should no longer be considered the dark horse to win the starter job.

It is only too easy to assume that because of the size of the contract given to Flynn, whom the Seahawks signed in the offseason to challenge last year’s starting QB Tarvaris Jackson. The problem is Wilson has surpassed expectations.

The rookie signal-caller was known to be talented, but considered an investment that would be developed along the way while he held the clipboard for Flynn. That plan was great, except it wasn’t Wilson’s plan.

Wilson led the Hawks to their third in preseason win in as many games on Friday. After putting in two solid second halves of relief duty for Flynn in the previous two preseason games, Wilson was granted the start in the third.

The rookie completed 13 of his 19 pass attempts for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He also flashed his mobility with a couple of solid tuck and run plays, demonstrating the asset he holds over Flynn; the kid can run with the ball.

“We did a great job tonight,” Wilson said following the game. “We really came out and played a great game. A lot of enthusiasm, which is huge for our football team, a lot of energy obviously. And the Defense made some tremendous plays by stopping them [the Chiefs offense] on third downs and getting us the ball and we capitalized on some plays and opportunities there which is huge for us.”

Wilson shined in his previous two outings, but that was largely against second stringers. It only makes sense to see what he could do running the first-team offense, while taking on opposing defensive starters. It is worth noting however that while Wilson led the Seahawks to six scores in his first six possessions, the first three scores came courtesy of kicker Steven Hauschka‘s leg with three field goals.

Wilson seemed unfazed by the pressure the Chiefs applied and maintained the poise expected of a seasoned veteran signal-caller, who was just putting in the time before the season gets into full swing. Wilson conducts himself in such a manner you forget he is a rookie. His many starts in college certainly don’t hurt his confidence, but even still that level of cool under pressure is hardly the norm for first-year QBs.

“I thought the quarterback [Wilson] played really, really well again,” Carroll said following the game. “And [I'm] just excited to watch him play. He didn’t do anything that he hasn’t been doing, [he] just continues to show poise and composure of a guy well beyond three games old.”

Related Story: Seattle Seahawks ‘Ecstatic’ About QB Russell Wilson who Looks More Veteran Than Rookie

Everyone knows that the size of Flynn’s contract (a 3-year deal for $19 million, with $10 million guaranteed) indicates the belief of the organization that he would contend to be the starter. Of course, that was back when everyone assumed it was a two-way race between the free agent pick-up and incumbent starter Jackson. However, that design went out the window relatively early after Carroll and company discovered their third-round draft pick came, not to play second fiddle, but to win the job.

Related Story: Seattle Seahawks: Matt Flynn on Way to Being Named Week 1 Starter as Tarvaris Jackson Falls Out of Race

Even with Wilson’s impressive play, traditional logic would dictate Wilson is still likely to be put into a developmental role and designate Flynn as the starter to do what he was brought in to do. That is all well and good, but what do the Hawks really have to lose if they name Wilson the starter?

Based upon his skill level, he appears to be outplaying his competition. That alone should earn him some credit. Many will call for the best to get the starting job, and right now that is Wilson.

“He’s just done everything we’ve asked of him,” said Carroll. “When [Seahawks general manager] John [Schneider] was excited about drafting him and we got the momentum going to make that pick, this is the guy that we had hoped he would be. All of the talk about how tall he is, I don’t see it being a factor. I see nothing, and I have watched more and more carefully than anybody could have watched.”

Should Wilson struggle early, that would not come as much of a surprise. After all, he is a rookie, and there are several other teams in the league pinning their hopes on a rookie quarterback this season (see Indianapolis, Washington, D.C., Cleveland and Miami). Carroll and Schneider could easily say that you have to expect a bumpy road when you are working toward a more solid future for the road ahead.

But if Wilson wins, well then that is a different ballgame altogether. And remember that the Seattle receiver group is not exactly among the best in the league. Former star receivers Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards are battling for a spot on the roster while mainstays Doug Baldwin, a still-developing Golden Tate and banged up Sidney Rice make up the nucleus of the receiver corps.

The Seahawks have guys who can catch the ball, but as yet there are no wideouts on the team playing at a superstar level. Again, that is where Wilson can be a difference maker since he is capable of using his feet. When you combine a potent running attack, which Seattle has, along with a mobile quarterback who can make all the throws–that creates opportunities for success.

No matter how you slice it, naming Wilson the starter is a can’t lose scenario for Carroll. Even if Wilson does lose some, he’ll get credit for being a rookie and will be viewed as working to develop for the future. If Flynn had shown more promise up to this point, then this line of thinking wouldn’t even be worth considering. However he hasn’t and that is the point.

Related Story: Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson Likely One Solid Game Away from Being Named Starting Quarterback

Flynn may win the job, but assuming it is his solely based on the size of the contract he signed is not necessarily the most stable ground to be standing upon. Wilson presents quite the interesting scenario as we await the team’s decision as to who will lead the first team offense out onto the field, in a couple of weeks.

Follow Nate Kuester on Twitter: @NateKuester.