The Seattle Seahawks season ended, unsurprisingly, on the road in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs in a 28-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While the Packers went on to be absolutely demolished by the NFC West Champion San Francisco 49ers the next week, the Hawks went home without advancing past the divisional round of the playoffs for the fifth season in a row, in spite of having one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL during that time period.

The loss to the Packers has, in part, stoked the fires of debate surrounding whether Pete Carroll is the best choice to lead the team in the coming seasons, as for some fans his shortcomings have begun to outweigh his positives. Part of the debate surrounding Carroll has been his offensive philosophy, which many consider to be outdated, and one phrase in particular has been bandied about regarding the changes they desire to see.

That phrase, of course, is “Let Russ cook.” The question, however, is what exactly does that mean? What specifically do fans want to see from the team and from Russell Wilson that would allow them to say that Russ is being allowed to cook?

Fellow University of Kansas graduate Jake Heaps took to Twitter on Tuesday to ask exactly this.

I have seen over and over Seahawk fans an national folks saying “Let Russ Cook” and I would like to ask what does that mean to you?



So many throw it around and yet have zero idea as to what it looks like or what would need to occur for them to be satisfied. — Jake Heaps (@jtheaps9) January 28, 2020

It’s extremely easy for me to answer that question.

It's simple.



The Seahawks have one of the greatest QBs in the known universe.



And yet, were 29th in the NFL in first half pass attempts per game. https://t.co/8Knz89DFWO pic.twitter.com/mdRJcVogN6 — John P. Gilbert (@JohnPGilbertNFL) January 28, 2020

Several others weighed in with their own answers as well, including former Field Gulls contributor and current writer for The Athletic, Ben Baldwin.

4. Stop being cowards on 4th down — new-age analytical (@benbbaldwin) January 29, 2020

Current Field Gulls contributor John Fraley weighed in as well.

I often think of Carroll's preferred type of offense as a round hole & Wilson as a square peg. There was a time when PC would make new places for odd shapes to fit. Think Red Bryant, Kam Chancellor, and even RW himself. Adapt the offense to Russ rather than the other way around. — John Fraley (@johndavidfraley) January 28, 2020

And there were several similar responses as well.

don’t get into a 3+ score hole by stubbornly establishing the run before you decide to let Russ play desperation ball in the second half, and then awww shucks us in the post game presser when he comes up short — Kyle Kennedy (@kylelkennedy) January 28, 2020

Russ said in your interview with them he thinks they could get 10-15 more passing TDs, right? So, that. I want Russ to have the tempo, flexibility, and attempts (especially in the first half, and more on early downs) that best allows him to create offense. — Karl (@KJislike) January 28, 2020

It’s almost as if Pete and Schotty expect Russ to ride in on a white horse during the 2nd Half every freaking week.



And that’s just not super sustainable.



Especially when you have just a +7 point differential for the whole season and play in so many close games. — Tom Gialanella (@mrtommygman) January 28, 2020

We literally see it every 2 minute drill or 4th qtr when they’re behind. Make Russ the focal point, not the conduit. — Riley Pabst (@PBR_Tallboy) January 28, 2020

I think mostly it's "Don't wait until the 4th quarter" — David S (@David_S__) January 29, 2020

For me it's not all about seeking change that I need to be satisfied with I also just think the expression is great and I love watching Russ play football. The RRP and the run first thing is getting very tired, it would be great to see more passing from the best QB in the game. — Let Russ Cook (@LetRussCook) January 28, 2020

However, the best response may have come from Q13 Fox Sports Director Aaron Levine, who simply responded with the following.

What does “Let Russ cook” mean to you?