The 2011 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 36th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 10th playing their home games at CenturyLink Field (formerly known as Qwest Field) and the second under head coach Pete Carroll. It was the first season in over a decade in which the Seahawks came into the season with a new starting quarterback, as incumbent Matt Hasselbeck left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The Seahawks equaled their 7–9 record in 2010, but failed to defend their NFC West division title and missed the playoffs. This year was notable for the emergence of the Legion of Boom defensive group.