A day after last season came to an end, Pete Carroll was asked about what he wanted to see improve heading into the 2022 season, and the Seahawks coach didn't hesitate when pointing to the pass rush.
"We need to improve the pass rush," he said. "That is an area that we need to get better in."
The Seahawks took a step towards improving that pass rush early in free agency, signing former Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
A second-round pick out of USC, Nwosu spent his first four seasons with the Chargers, recording 15.0 sacks in 63 games. Taking over a starting role last season, Nwosu had 5.0 sacks, 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits.
Nwosu said signing with the Seahawks was a good schematic fit, with Seattle asking him to step into a similar role to the one he played in Los Angeles.
"The scheme," he said. "I feel like the best thing for a player is not always the best amount of money, it's about the scheme, being able to fit in. and I hear the culture here is really good, which fits me. There's also a lot of 'SC alumni, which makes it very comfortable for me, and it's not too far away from home. The city's great. So I just felt like it was overall the right move."
Asked what kind of player the Seahawks are getting, Nwosu said, "They're getting a very, very high energy player. A guy that knows what he's doing on the field, a guy they can be completely confident in. A playmaker, and a guy who plays hard and gives everything he has to the team."
Check out photos of Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu from his first four seasons in the NFL with the Chargers as well as his college days at USC.
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, left, is tackled by Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu during the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Southern California's Uchenna Nwosu, left, celebrates with Christian Rector after recovering a California fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu leads fans in singing the team song after defeating Colorado in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. USC won 38-24. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Former Chargers player LaDainian Tomlinson announces Southern California's Uchenna Nwosu as the Los Angeles Chargers' selection during the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 27, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, left, and defensive tackle Justin Jones hold up jerseys at the Los Angeles Chargers' training complex in Costa Mesa, Calif., Saturday, April 28, 2018. Nwosu was the Chargers' second-round pick in the NFL draft, and Jones was a third-round selection. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (58) during the first half of an preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (58) runs onto the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Austin Ginn via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (58) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) and defensive end Darius Philon (93) celebrate a defensive play against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is hit between Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, left, and defensive tackle Corey Liuget during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum passes under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Derwin James, right, and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu watch from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) passes under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) carries the ball in front of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu #42 hits Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 during the third quarter in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Cowboys defeated the Chargers 20-17. (John McGillen via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) gets set to block Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Peter Aiken)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) during an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 28-14. (Tim Kothlow via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) looks on after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers won 47-42. (Michael Yanow via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Nov. 14, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 27-20. (John McGillen via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Vikings won 27-20. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) hugs defensive end Everson Griffen (97) following an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Nov. 14, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 27-20. (John McGillen via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is brought down for a sack by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (97) and outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, center, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) gestures after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) gestures after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) waves towards the stands after an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) intercepts a pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) celebrates after intercepting a pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday Dec. 16, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 34-28. (John McGillen via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) works against Houston Texans tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) reacts after a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Southern California linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) signals that his team recovered a fumble by Colorado running back Christian Powell during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Boulder, Colo. Southern California won 27-24. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
