Pete Carroll Declares: Russell Wilson Could Start

First, everyone was shocked he was drafted in the third round.

Then, the debates ensued about whether a QB not even 5′ 11” tall could succeed as an NFL starter.

Now the reality, Russell Wilson could very well be the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback this fall.

After an impressive showing at the team’s 3-day rookie mini-camp, Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll thrust Wilson squarely into the middle of the team’s QB competition today:

"He did an excellent job demonstrating that he prepared for this.  He showed us enough.  I’d hoped that, and we confirmed it in these three days.  He left really no question about he needs to be involved in the competition.–Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll"

If you want to reacquaint yourself with how I feel about the Wilson pick, click here…..

https://nflmocks.com/2012/05/01/the-case-for-russell-wilson/

It’s going to be a fascinating training camp in Seattle.  Matt Flynn was brought in and guaranteed $10 Million to presumably the starter, but the contract is not so prohibitive to make one believe that the team would hesitate to let him serve as the backup to a rookie.  We all know Carroll preaches competition, and that he and G.M. John Schneider want to build the team through the draft.  Wilson is their first chance to have their guy lead the way, and everything about Wilson screams Carroll Quarterback….. except for the height.  Obviously, Carroll doesn’t care about that.  In fact, he goes out of his way to praise Wilson’s strong arm and high release.

My early take?  I’ll say it right now: Wilson will play well enough in pre-season to earn the backup job….. behind Flynn.  Tavaris Jackson will be traded or released.  If Flynn plays at a Pro-Bowl level he’ll keep his job.  Anything less and Wilson gets his shot.  Ultimately, my hunch is Carroll and Schneider want Wilson to be the man, and will look for any opportunity to make it so.

Let the games begin.