Report: Seahawks bring Carl Smith back to coaching staff

Quarterback Russell Wilson is struggling with the Seahawks and the team has reportedly rehired one of his former coaches as they try to chart a course for the future.

Michael-Shawn Dugar of TheAthletic.com reports that Carl “Tater” Smith is joining the team. Smith was the team’s quarterbacks coach from 2011 to 2017 and associate head coach until 2018 before spending the last two seasons with the Texans. His role is not known, but he shouldn’t be the quarterbacks coach.

A report this week said Wilson believes there is a lack of accountability for Carroll on the coaching staff. Carroll said Smith has played this kind of role in the past.

“Tater was telling me anything,” Carroll said. “He was awesome. I demanded it from him because he knew the truth and needed to talk to me.

Smith’s return was reportedly accepted before the Super Bowl, so it wasn’t a direct response to any of Wilson’s recent comments. Wilson’s agent said last week that he had not requested a trade, but had identified four teams Wilson would agree to join in a trade.

Dugar reports that Smith’s son Tracy will also be on staff for the Seahawks and another familiar face will return to the organization. DeShawn Shead, who played 54 games at cornerback for Seattle between 2012 and 2017, will help the defensive backs.