Seahawks Key Super Star Player Who worth $195 Million Takes Aim At Former Coaching Staff Due To…
The Seattle Seahawks underwent a massive upheaval after hiring new head coach Mike Macdonald. With 21 new assistant coaches, it’s a whole new regime in Seattle.
Speaking to reporters on April 10, Seahawks starter Uchenna Nwosu called the new personnel a “breath of fresh air.”
“You know, these coaches seem committed,” he said. “They are really putting in the time and effort so far. And that’s what you want to see from a staff… As a team, I expect a good playoff run. We’ve been close the last two years. I feel like it’s time to really get over that hump. We’ve got all the players. I feel like we’ve got the right coaches now.”
After signing a three-year, $45 million extension with Seattle last offseason, Nwosu gushed over former head coach Pete Carroll and the entire staff. But something must’ve shifted during the 2023 NFL season.
“Last year was kind of frustrating,” Nwosu said. “And sometimes when you get change, it can bring out the best in everybody. I see a lot more smiles on people’s faces. They’re more happy, they’re more energetic… I don’t know if that’s just because it’s the new year, new season, or it could be the coaching changes and new opportunity. But everybody is kind of coming along together and everybody’s talking more, everybody’s hanging out more and I feel like it’s bringing the locker room closer.”
A fan asked on X after seeing Nwosu’s comments, “Did it come off like the loaded statement it reads as?” Nwosu didn’t specify which staff members were dragging the energy down last season, which sparked a lot of speculation.
Listeners took Nwosu’s statement as a shot at either former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, Carroll, or all three. Seattle Sports Mike Salk said, “When you first hear it, I think most people, myself included, your mind immediately goes to Pete Carroll.
When I hear it the second time, when I hear coaching changes, I think back a little bit on what (former Seahawks linebacker) KJ (Wright) kind of told us last year about some of the issues they seemed to be having with the position coaches and some of the guys that we don’t hear about as much because they’re not as big a name to us outside the building.
“But for each player those position coaches are everything. That’s who they spend most of their time with, and I wonder if that’s what he’s speaking to there is some of the changes that were made among the assistant coaches on this team, not just even the coordinators, but really the position guys.”
“Whatever it is, (it’s) interesting,” Salk continued. “Not necessarily the way I would have expected some of that frustration to go, saying that they weren’t having enough fun in the past. But that’s what you hear there from Uchenna.”
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Here To Stay: Uchenna Nwosu’s Extension With Seahawks Destined From “Day One”
Last offseason, Seattle acquired outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu via free agency after four seasons in his hometown with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Carson, California native enters 2023 with a fresh deal, having signed a three-year extension Monday following a career-high 9.5-sack season. On and off the field, Nwosu has found a new home away from home in Seattle.
The University of Southern California alum’s 9.5 sacks in 2022 matched his production over his final two seasons with the Chargers combined. Nwosu posted career-highs in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback hits (26), forced fumbles (3), recoveries (2), and combined tackles (66). But the transition to more success on the field started from his arrival in Seattle. The family atmosphere in the Virginia Mason Athletic Center from his visit while testing the market set the tone for his extension a season later.
“Since day one,” said Nwosu. “Since I walked in the building the energy, the culture, the way the coaches support you. Everybody has positive energy. Everyone is so friendly here, from the nutrition staff, to the kitchen upstairs, to the equipment staff. Everybody just makes it feels like home and I noticed that from day one.”
When you watch the Seahawks film from their 9-8 2022 campaign, you can’t help but notice Nwosu flying all over the field. It’s not only because of his high motor – it’s by design.
“I love a lot of things about this defense,” said Nwosu. “You know we got a lot of young guys, a lot of good young guys coming back. We bolstered up the interior defensive line to help us out this year. We are making more of an emphasis on the run game and everybody is buying into the culture and the scheme. You got (Clint) Hurtt coming into another year getting everybody going. Just the energy, just the excitement, just the talent we got on this defense. It fits me because I am able to do what I naturally do which is fly around and make plays. It’s basically like not having any handcuffs on. Just go out there and whatever you see and be the best you can. Pete (Carroll) does a lot and gives me a lot of freedom to be out there and be the player he knows I can be, which is a playmaker and I like that about this defense a lot and I hope to continue it this year. Not freelancing. Playing within the scheme of course, but you know taking my shots when I can here and there if I notice certain things, formations, looks and being able to shoot my shot.”
In 2013, Seattle signed Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril via free agency – he’d go on to notch 34.5 sacks in five seasons. Nwosu isn’t the first free agent to have a career resurgence under Coach Carroll, but that doesn’t make the sixth-year linebacker’s rise in Seattle any less special.
“The commitment to him is a really important statement for us,” said Carroll. “He’s the perfect Seahawk. He’s hard-nosed, he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s diligent, he does everything. He’s physical, he’s 268 (pounds) coming in. He’s in great shape. Got a great attitude, you guys talk to him. You can see why we champion the guy. So, that’s the kind of guy we want to reward, he deserved it. He had a fantastic season last year, we played the heck out of him last year on so many plays. We might be able to control that a little bit better, but we are just really excited.”
After a career-year, the feelings of keeping Nwosu in Seattle long-term were mutual, making the process smoother than expected. Thus, preventing Nwosu from feeling rushed to make a deal happen.
“You know that is something a lot of guys think,” said Nwosu. “I know there is a timeline going into it. You know you see things still going on even in training camp. I know it can take all the way up until the first game, so it was a long process and thankfully I was able to get it done before we start out here, so I can just focus all on ball. It was definitely something during the end of the season where my agency reached out to them. Hey you guys, Uchenna is coming off a pretty good year. What do you guys want to do? and they said they loved me here and we were able to figure something out and get something done that benefited both sides. So I’m happy to finally get that done.”