SEATTLE — The Seahawks introduced new head coach Mike Macdonald on Thursday to replace Pete Carroll, who had held the title in Seattle since 2010.
Like most NFL organizations, the Seahawks do not publicly disclose salaries or contract terms for their coaches and players. However, Sportico covers sports business and unveiled a list of the highest-paid head coaches in the country across major sports in November 2023.
Carroll was earning $15 million annually from his Seahawks contract, according to the outlet. The Seahawks had signed him to an extension in 2020 that ran through 2025, although it was reported recently that there was an option for the final season.
When the Seahawks elected to move on from Carroll at the end of the 2023 season, the 72-year-old had one year remaining on his contract. The organization did say Carroll would have an advisory role in the organization going forward, but it is hard to imagine Carroll and his agent would have not ensured he still collected his 2024 salary of $15 million.
Based on his public comments about the organization in the wake of his exit, it appears to have been a much less mutual decision than the team initially made it seem.
Carroll was linked by one outlet, ProFootballTalk, to having made a pursuit for the Los Angeles Chargers' head coach opening before it was accepted by his nemesis, Jim Harbaugh.
Now that the head coaching carousel is complete, Carroll will not be coaching a football season for the first time in decades. Relocation from the Seattle area isn't likely, however, now that his son, Brennan, is the new offensive coordinator at the University of Washington.
Whatever he decides to do next, Carroll will always be revered as one of, if not the most successful head coaches in franchise history.