Few of the so-called “experts” picked Pete Carroll's Seattle Seahawks to make the playoffs in 2018, and after an 0-2 start, it appeared they may be right.

After five straight postseason trips from 2012 to 2016, the Seahawks fell just short of a Wild Card berth last year. With a lot of roster turnover and one of the younger teams in the league, it was widely believed that Seattle needed another year or two to regroup.

Instead, Seattle bucked the narrative by winning nine of their next 13 games, clinching a playoff spot by beating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Much of the praise has gone to the offensive line's resurgence in the running game as well as the stellar play of Russell Wilson, but it has also been given to Carroll and his ability to get the best out of his players.

Now, with another postseason appearance on the horizon, the Seahawks have rewarded Carroll with a multi-year contract extension. From Seahawks.com's John Boyle:

“I am excited to announce that we have extended Head Coach Pete Carroll through the 2021 season,” said Jody Allen, Seahawks Chair and Trustee of the Paul G. Allen Trust. “This will continue the championship culture that we have created in Seattle.”

Carroll's extension makes him one of the highest paid head coaches in the NFL:

Carroll passed Mike Holmgren as the winningest head coach in Seahawks history earlier this season, and if he plays out his entire deal, he'll also become the longest tenured head coach the franchise has ever had.

Earlier this month, Carroll spoke about his focus on sustaining success, which is exactly what the Seahawks have done after clinching their seventh-straight season with a winning record.

“More than anything, the ability to stay consistent, stay out in front of the pack, that has always been something that’s been important to me,” Carroll said earlier this month. “Anybody can have a good year and things can come together and you can hit it right and all that. I think it’s a much bigger statement to say that you can find ways to continue to find the success and that’s the big challenge.”

The Seahawks close out the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals before playing on Wild Card weekend, likely in Dallas against the Cowboys.