3 defensive coordinator candidates the Seahawk should consider
Photo from: Sports Illustrated
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, the Seattle Seahawks announced they have fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. The move came after a disappointing 7-10 record this season and missing the playoffs for the second time since head coach Pete Carrol and General Manager John Schneider were hired in 2010.
During the 2021-22 season, Seahawk’s defense was ranked 28th in the total yard (379.1) in the NFL and ranked 11th in points allowed (21.53). These statistics show that since the Legion of Boom era ended in 2018, the Seahawk’s defense has not reached the levels since then.
Norton has done a decent job this season with stars on the defense like Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams, but it was time for a change in defensive coordinator to make the defense better next season. The candidates for the position are going to be difficult considering that the Seahawks would need more pieces to fix the defensive line ranked 30 and the secondary ranked in the bottom half as one of the worst in the NFL. He would have to correlate with Carrol’s new defensive philosophy instead of Cover 2 which limits explosive plays. The new defensive philosophy is a more “attack-minded” defense.
Here are some defensive coordinators the Seahawks should contemplate.
Clint Hurtt
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. was fired after a losing season.
Seahawks could look at a coach in their organization which is the assistant head coach and defensive lineman coach Clint Hurtt. As the defensive lineman coach, the line had improved in 2018 with former Seahawks Jarran Reed (10.5 sacks) and Frank Clark (13.0 sacks). In 2019, Hurtt’s defensive line also produced more pressure or sacks with the addition of former Seahawks Jadeveon Clowney (16 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and one interception) and current Seahawk Rasheem Green who lead the team that season with 4.0 sacks. If the Seahawks want to go with this option, Hurtt is one of the best individuals to be the defensive coordinator.
Gus Bradley
Gus Bradley brings familiarity to the Seahawks' defense during his as the team's former defensive coordinator.
Current defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders Gus Bradley is an interesting candidate considering he was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks from 2009 to 2012. He helps mold the Legion of Boom with Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Richard Sherman. Bradley made the Seahawks a top 10 defense in 2011 and for the first time since 1997. In 2012, the Seahawk’s defense under Bradley allowed the fewest yards that season with 15.3 and allow 306.2 yards per game, which led the NFL that season. With the Raiders, he develop Max Crosby into a pro bowl talent and develop a defense that took the team to a Wild Card spot with a win over the Los Angles Chargers. Carrol wants to have an attack-minded defense next season and Bradley’s past work with the Seahawks in the past could support his defensive philosophy.
Kris Richards
Kris Richards would develop the secondary with his history during the Legion of Boom era.
Before signing Norton Jr. as defensive coordinator, the New Orleans Saint’s secondary coach Kris Richards had the position the last three seasons from 2015-to 17. During his time as the defensive coordinator, Richards boosted the Seahawk’s defense as the most dominant defense for four consecutive seasons (2012-15) and help them reach back-to-back Super Bowl appearances with one championship. Like Bradley, Richard’s accomplishments with the Seahawks defense in the past would be a good selection for the position.
In reports, the Seahawks are currently requesting interviews for the defensive coordinator position like Chicago Bear’s defensive coordinator Sean Desai and former defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos Ed Dontell. Either of those picks is interesting, but aren’t candidates some Seahawk fans would consider.
Seahawk’s owner Jody Allen and Coach Carrol have some thinking to do with who should be the defensive coordinator as the offseason rebuild for the Seahawks continues.
