Carroll: Seattle Seahawks QB Wilson is the best 'he's ever been' approaching 2020 season

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told 710 ESPN Seattle that quarterback Russell Wilson is the best he’s ever been approaching the 2020 NFL season.

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“Russell is at the best of his game that he’s ever been,” Carroll explained to 710’s John Clayton last Friday. “His command, his control, his understanding. Everything we put forth for him allows him to be at the best I think he’s ever been. And in that, we want him to have more opportunities to be in the game and to control the game.”

Carroll’s praise of Wilson certainly isn’t new — it’s become sort of an annual tradition for this time of year — but his words indicate how the Seahawks have viewed their franchise quarterback’s leadership in an unprecedented offseason. NFL clubs weren’t able to hold Organized Team Activities (OTAs) or veteran minicamp this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Virtual team meetings couldn’t replace invaluable reps.

Carroll said Wilson has been able to work with teammates on a regular basis at his compound in the San Diego area. Last month he posted his throwing session with second-year receiver D.K. Metcalf on social media.

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In a traditional offseason, Wilson gets a large group of his pass catchers together at a time to work out.

“Russell has been in a great leadership position throughout the offseason,” Carroll said. “He’s been such a central part of it, with all the communications we’ve been running: two-minute drill and sequencing of all of our play calling and different situations on the field. Russ has been right in the middle of all of it.

“He’s working out with guys every day at his place in the San Diego area. He’s been very consistent as always and he’s ready to roll. I’m really excited about it. We’ll see what the rest of the league has to offer. Hopefully, we’ve made the most of our chances to be as good as we possibly can be coming back.”

Carroll also stood firm to his offensive philosophy amid growing support among Seahawks fans for “Let Russ Cook,” the idea that the Seahawks’ run-first approach limits Wilson. Many want Seattle to utilize Wilson’s prolific arm more, while Carroll’s philosophy is predicated on establishing the run to set up downfield shots for Wilson.

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Carroll doesn’t believe that throwing the football more would necessarily make Wilson, or the team, more effective.

“Look at all of the successful teams that won all these games last year. All of them were balanced teams,” Carroll told 710. “We’re not going to take anything away from Russell’s ability to produce. We want to maximize his opportunities. So whatever this ‘Let Russell Cook’ thing is all about, I don’t know. He’s at his best. He’s in the most command he’s ever been. He and Schotty (offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) and the offensive staff, they’ve worked this offseason I think to a point where we’re ready to unveil it: the best version of us. And that means the best version of Russ.”

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Ben Arthur covers sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.