‘If We Didn’t Have Russell, I Probably Wouldn’t Be Here a Long Time’

Russell Westbrook went on record saying that without Russell, I probably wouldn’t be here. That’s the type of impact he has had in Oklahoma City for over 10 years now.

Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder have been playing well, but if we didn’t have Russell, I probably wouldn’t be here a long time. Read more in detail here: saints.

The difficulties of the Seattle Seahawks aren’t going away anytime soon. On Monday Night Football, Pete Carroll’s squad dropped a nail-biter to the New Orleans Saints, dropping to 2-5 on the season and continuing to dig a hole the size of Mount Rainier.

After a hype-filled offseason, the Seahawks are tied for last place in the NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers. But, for the time being, the loss of Russell Wilson and Chris Carson is too much for this club to overcome, as they have already lost three consecutive games.

Carroll was brutally honest about missing his quarterback in the middle of what is swiftly becoming a lost season after another defeat.

Russell Wilson’s absence has an impact on everyone, and Pete Carroll is well aware of this.

Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll | Chris Unger/Getty Images

Remember how Wilson’s alleged dissatisfaction with the Seahawks fueled trade speculations during the offseason? Those rumors died down, and Wilson returned to the Pacific Northwest with his sights set on a Super Bowl appearance.

Unfortunately, the Seahawks have gone from contender to pretender faster than they’ve ever gone, and a string of injuries hasn’t helped matters.

Carroll couldn’t help but confess how much he missed Wilson after the Saints’ defeat, providing a wonderful response (h/t Greg Bell of the News Tribune).

“Well, I’ve been here for quite some time.” And if it weren’t for Russell, I wouldn’t be here for very long.”

Pete Carroll on Russell Wilson’s absence

Yes, that seems to be the case.

Wilson is the fuel that keeps the vehicle rolling, no matter how excellent a head coach Pete Carroll is or how great the Legion of Boom defense was.

Wilson has been the Seahawks’ starting quarterback for the last ten years. He started every game from 2012 to present before 2021, which is an unheard-of streak, particularly for a quarterback in today’s NFL.

Carroll went to Seattle in 2010 for a comparison. Since Wilson took over as quarterback, the Seahawks have won double digit games eight times and have finished above.500 in each of Wilson’s seasons. Unfortunately, unless the former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback can turn things around when he returns on IR in 2021, that streak may come to an end.

The previous three weeks have been difficult for Seattle, and fans will be hopeful that #3 returns soon.

Wilson’s hegemony is uncanny.

For over a decade, Wilson has been one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the NFL. He shows up for every game and performs well week after week. They have a chance when he’s out there, and Carroll can sleep easier at night.

The dropoff from Wilson to Geno Smith, on the other hand, is tremendous, and that may be an understatement. When you add in the fact that their starting running back is also on injured reserve, this club has a little chance of winning games for the time being. After the defeat, Carroll continued to praise his veteran quarterback (h/t ESPN’s Brady Henderson).

“Russell is a force to be reckoned with.” He’s always been a terrific good influence. It’s now his turn. That’s when he’s at his best. He is much missed. In the meanwhile, we’ll continue to battle, claw, and do all we can.”

Russell Wilson is praised by Pete Carroll.

Worse, Wilson is coming off his greatest statistical season in the league. In 2020, he passed for a career-high 40 touchdowns while falling seven yards short of his career-high passing yardage.

Oh, and despite the fact that he wasn’t playing on Monday night, he was still training and warming up.

Wilson is a one-of-a-kind talent, and the Seahawks — and Carroll — are fortunate to have had him for as long as they have. Wilson’s future is uncertain, but the Seattle head coach will savor every moment he has with his teammates.

Wilson’s best case scenario will be hoped for by the Seahawks.

Wilson has been out for three weeks after injuring his finger in a defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. He was expected to miss anywhere from six to eight weeks at the time, thus ruining the Seahawks’ season.

Wilson, on the other hand, is as tough as they come, and his comeback might arrive sooner than anybody expected.

Unfortunately, if Seattle can’t tread water well enough until he recovers from his injury, it may not matter. They are now 2-5 after the defeat against the Saints. The Seahawks, on the other hand, will play the Jacksonville Jaguars before going on a bye week.

Things become nasty on the other side of their bye. Carroll’s team has back-to-back games against the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals, with the expectation that Wilson will be able to play in at least one of them — but nothing is certain.

Things aren’t looking good in Seattle right now, and Carroll can’t help but wonder how things might be different if #3 was in charge.

Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.

RELATED: Pete Carroll’s Desperate Admission That The Seahawks Have Contacted Cam Newton Demonstrates How Much Russell Wilson Is Missed

Russell Wilson is the Seahawks’ quarterback and he has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for a while. He’s also just had surgery on his ankle, so it’s unclear how good he’ll be this year. If Russell doesn’t play well, Seattle will probably not make it to the Super Bowl. Reference: seahawks vs saints.