Sep 19, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, talks with defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., left, during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. is out as the Seattle Seahawks begin a reset after missing the playoffs in 2021.
Head coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks have the pieces in place to rebound and return to the playoffs next season, but admitted there were issues to address.
The first significant move of the offseason came Tuesday, when Norton and defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis were fired.
Seattle finished 7-10 and allowed 379.1 yards per game, which was 28th in the NFL.
Norton, 55, is a longtime Carroll ally after playing for the coach at Southern California and coaching under him for 15 of the past 18 years.
The Seahawks requested permission to speak with Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell for their position, per source. Donatell has served as a coordinator and a defensive backs coach at the pro and college levels since 1979.
Carroll himself was rumored to be on the hot seat, but the Seahawks did not make a change at the top as the offseason began.
The Seahawks also could address the offensive coordinator position. In his first season in that role, Shane Waldron produced uneven results and was a regular target of fan criticism.
–Field Level Media