Carroll: Seahawks gave 'tremendous consideration' to drafting Richardson

The Seattle Seahawks may have drafted quarterback Anthony Richardson had he been available.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Monday his team gave "tremendous consideration" to taking Richardson in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Indianapolis Colts, however, selected Richardson at No. 4 overall, one spot before Seattle was set to pick.

"We considered him," Carroll said, according to The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. "Shoot, we flew all the way out there to go see him. Not just to see him, but to be around him and watch him and how he handled himself and his program with all the hype that was going. We gave him tremendous consideration.

"He might be the best athlete that's ever been drafted at that position. He's arguably that. So, we had to definitely consider that."

Carroll didn't dismiss the possibility of Seattle drafting a quarterback with the No. 5 pick earlier this offseason.

The Seahawks ultimately drafted Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon fifth overall before taking Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with their second first-round selection at No. 20. They didn't draft a quarterback with any of their 10 picks.

Seattle signed 2022 starter Geno Smith to a three-year extension this offseason after he led the club to a playoff appearance.

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