Clayton’s possible replacements for Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell

The reason the Seahawks have fired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and offensive line coach Tom Cable can be summed up in one word, said 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton on his segment with Brock and Salk on Monday: “Change.”

O’Neil: Bevell couldn’t be the bad cop Carroll wants for Wilson

“I’m a little surprised because I thought they were going to stick with pretty much everybody,” Clayton said about the Seahawks’ coaching staff, “but I think what you can see is that Pete (Carroll) felt that something needed to go because the offense just has deteriorated over the last couple years. Whatever coaching changes you make you have to start moving on it.”

Clayton went on to detail some potential offensive coordinator candidates. Here’s who he listed:

Mike McCoy: Most recently, McCoy was the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator. He was fired in November. Prior to that gig, he was the head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Steve Sarkisian: The former University of Washington head football coach and the current offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. Despite being under contract, Clayton said there’s a chance he is fired at the end of this season. “Obviously at the moment he’s coaching the Atlanta Falcons who are still in the playoffs, but their offense went down 11 points per game (from last season),” Clayton said. For what it’s worth, Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn (and former Seahawks defensive coordinator) said there is “no chance” Sarkisian was leaving the Falcons for the Seahawks.

Ken Zampese: Zampese was let go as the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator in September after the Bengals failed to score a touchdown in their first two games.

Bret Bielema: The former head football coach of the University of Arkansas, he was fired in November. As Wisconsin’s head coach in 2011, Bielema won the Big Ten title with Russell Wilson as his quarterback. “He has a history with Russell Wilson,” Clayton said. “They are really tight.” Added Mike Salk: “He’s a big downhill, run-the-ball type of guy.”

The list of possible Bevell replacements isn’t exactly overflowing with must-hire candidates. But that’s to be expected.

“The only two options that you can really get is a coach that’s been fired or a coach that’s let his contract go into the last year,” Clayton said.

There was some talk that offensive line coach Tom Cable could have been given the play-calling responsibilities next season. After the news came out Wednesday afternoon that Cable has also been fired, that appears to no longer be an option. The Seahawks could also be looking for a new defensive coordinator, as Kris Richard has reportedly been told he would be let out of his contract if he wants to seek another opportunity.