Seahawks, Pete Carroll agree to contract extension through 2019

Two days after agreeing to a contract extension with general manager John Schneider, the Seahawks have done the same with coach Pete Carroll.

Seahawks owner Paul Allen announced the extension on Twitter Tuesday without disclosing any details. A league source confirmed the initial report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that it will run through the 2019 season. Carroll’s previous deal, which he signed in April of 2014, was set to expire after this coming season.

Carroll’s extension was widely expected to follow the one Schneider signed over the weekend. With their contract situations resolved, the Seahawks have crossed off two of the biggest items on their offseason to-do list – even if if took longer than many expected.

It is rare for a successful coach to not have a contract beyond the current season, which is the position Carroll was heading toward with training camp beginning this weekend. He had long downplayed any drama with his contract situation, answering every question about the matter by saying simply that he’s “in good shape” and nothing more. It was nonetheless the source of some concern among fans who were perhaps wondering how much longer the 64-year-old Carroll may want to continue coaching.

But the timing of Carroll’s extension, coming right after Schneider’s, suggests that the delay was more a matter of order than anything else. The two have been in lock step since coming to Seattle together in 2010 and often praise one another for not letting egos get in the way of their harmonious working relationship during what has been the most successful stretch in franchise history. They have made a great team, so it would be understandable if Carroll wanted to make sure Schneider’s contract situation was resolved before addressing his own.

Those two will remain together for at least the next four seasons with Carroll signed through 2019 and Schneider through 2021.

“You look at all the really good organizations and they just have great ownership and they have great stability,” Schneider said earlier Tuesday while talking with John Clayton about his own extension.

In Carroll’s six seasons, the Seahawks have gone 60-36 (.625) in the regular season and 8-4 (.667) in the playoffs – those winning percentages ranking first among the eight coaches in franchise history – with a Super Bowl title and another appearance.

Salaries for NFL coaches are usually not publicized, but with his resume, it would not be a surprise if Carroll’s extension comes with a raise that pushes his annual average toward or above the $10 million range.

At 64, Carroll is the NFL’s oldest coach. He turns 65 in September and will be 68 by the time his contract expires after the 2019 season. The oldest coaches in league history are Marv Levy and George Halas, who both retired at 72.

Asked earlier Tuesday how much longer he believes Carroll will continue coaching, Schneider said, “I think he could go as long as he wants, really.” Schneider added: “I think Pete probably thinks he could live to 120 and coach until he’s 110. I don’t know. I’m not sure how (his wife) Glena would feel about that, but he’s just full of life.”