After missing out on the playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks look to redeem themselves in 2025 with their first playoff berth since 2022. Seattle took a different approach this offseason to try and end their brief postseason drought.
For starters, the command of the Seahawks will look a little different as Sam Darnold has taken over as the franchise's quarterback. Sam Darnold's career was on thin ice until he was able to revive it a year ago after he lead the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins and a near division title.
His great season lead to a huge payday after he landed a 3 year, $100 million contract with Seattle. The Seahawks are all in on Darnold's potential after a brilliant year with Minnesota. Like with the Vikings, Darnold will have a lot of weapons at his disposal.
In addition to adding a new quarterback, Seattle also added a new offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak after firing Ryan Grubb in January. The tandem of Geno Smith and Ryan Grubb was not enough to get the Seattle offense over the top, so they pivoted to Kubiak and Darnold to right the ship.
Kenneth Walker is back for his 4th year in Seattle looking to continue his excellent start to his NFL career. The Seahawks will have a decision to make following this season as Walker will be a free agent this upcoming offseason. In my mind it's a no brainer, pay the man.
At various points in 2024, we saw the emergence of Zach Charbonnet who will also return to the Seattle backfield. The two headed monster of Walker and Charbonnet is a scary site for opposing defenses facing the Seahawks.
With the departure of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, there will a new top duo of wideouts at Lumen Field. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will enter his third season in the NFL in the biggest role he has had during his brief time as a pro. We saw glimpses of how good JSN could be and I think he is ready to take on the role as WR1 for Seattle.
He'll also have a trusted veteran to lean on in Cooper Kupp. Kupp left Los Angeles after 8 seasons and will join the Seahawks on a 3 year, $45 million contract. It is fair to say that Sam Darnold is entering a pretty dynamic offense in Seattle.
During the 2024 campaign, Seattle ranked towards the top of the NFL in total defense, asserting themselves in the top 12 as a whole. Seattle is always known for their lockdown defense having "12 players" due to their unbelievable home field advantage.
Seattle made a number of blockbuster trades this offseason after dealing DK Metcalf, Geno Smith, and others, but their biggest move on defense was signing Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks and will now join a dominant front seven.
The secondary has always been there, it's almost never a problem. The emergence of Devon Witherspoon as a top cornerback has been a sight to see in Seattle. He will command the secondary along with Riq Woolen.
The NFC West is always one of the tougher divisions in the NFL, and the Seahawks will face 6 real tests against the Cardinals, 49ers, and Rams in 2025. Will the changes to this squad be enough to get Seattle over the top?
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