Football is here! With training camp starting on Wednesday for the Seattle Seahawks, a new NFL season is upon us. After one of the most eventful off-seasons in Seahawks history, we break down the six biggest storylines ahead of the start of training camp.
Is this a transformative draft class?
In a wild offseason, you can sometimes forget how important or impactful a draft class can be, but not in Seattle this year. One of, if not the most exciting element of this year’s team is its draft class. Unanimously applauded as a successful draft, John Schneider and the Seahawks found balance between need and best player available.
Grey Zabel has the potential to be that cornerstone interior offensive piece that this franchise has missed for over a decade. Nick Emmanwori has a chance to be a mix of Kyle Hamilton and Kam Chancellor for Mike Macdonald, and was compensated as such receiving the third ever fully guaranteed deal for a 2nd round pick.
On offense Elijah Arroyo must be viewed as ready to immediately contribute, since the Seahawks cut Noah Fant on Sunday. Then there’s arguably the most interesting draft pick in Jalen Milroe. The talent is undeniable, but can he harness it and help this team with special set packages?
If the Seahawks hit on two or three of these guys, then the ceiling of this team improves immediately.
Can the veteran free agents bring consistency?
With the decision to move on from so many recognizable players, the Seahawks were going to be more aggressive than usual in free agency. This started with the signing of Sam Darnold to be the next quarterback in Seattle.
Darnold had a magical season in Minnesota last year, and finished 10th in MVP voting. If you look at his first 16 games, you’d consider the contract he signed as a steal. But, it was his final two disastrous games, including a playoff beat down to the Rams, that cooled off his market. If Seattle gets the first 16 games level of Darnold, the Geno Smith vs Darnold debate likely won’t last long.
After Darnold, the Seahawks attacked their rushing defense issues by signing former Cowboys star DeMarcus Lawrence to set the edge. On offense, the prodigal son has returned as Seattle swooped in to sign Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp after he was a cap casualty for the Rams. Chiefs playoff hero Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had a fascinating short stint with now Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak in New Orleans, will try to now take the top off in Seattle.
Last year, inconsistent play by the rush defense, DK Metcalf, and Geno Smith, really cost the Seahawks the NFC West. Can these new additions bring the type of consistency needed to get the job done this year?
What are the new uniforms gonna look like?
Ok, this one may be a more personal one, but with the new “Rivalry” program, and the report of the throwback white uniforms returning, Seahawks fans may need to open some wallets.
I have my feelings about the current uniforms. I loved them when they first dropped, and some of the most important memories in Seahawks history will forever be with these uniforms. I also think the past can be the future, and the modern upgraded throwbacks are the best uniforms in the NFL.
It’d be cool to keep the LOB era uniforms as a special alternate, but I’d be surprised.
I am very intrigued by the Rivalries uniforms, as MLB has had mixed results with their City Connect uniforms. Will we see something similar to what the Mariners did, or could the Seahawks go more of the route of Sonics or Huskies colors? We’ll probably know in the next couple months.
Is there a trade to be made?
As we stated earlier, the Seahawks cut tight end Noah Fant on Sunday, clearing a chunk of cap space heading into camp. The prevailing thought has been that Seattle wanted to trade him, but couldn’t find any takers, and they didn’t want to risk him getting injuries in camp.
With the move, Seattle could easily clear close to $20 million dollars in cap space. So, did they cut Fant to go big trade hunting for a player? I think it’s very possible. John Schneider has historically been ahead of his own fans and the league with where he views his team and their ability to compete. If Schneider thinks the Seahawks are a Trey Hendrickson away from winning the NFC West and making a deep playoff run, then I can absolutely see him going for it.
While some may consider him to be a pipe dream, keep your eyes on Micah Parsons and Dallas. He still has not been extended and if negotiations get tense, he has a strong relationship with Seahawks DC Aden Durde.
The trade may not be for a blue chip player, but I do believe we will see a sizable trade during camp.
Who will get extended?
It is indeed the season for extension and negotiations, so who in Seattle could be next to get paid? A rival of Riq Woolen, Sauce Gardner, just got massively paid. Despite some inconsistent play, you can make a case that Woolen is a better player.
George Karlaftis just got paid by the Chiefs, I think you can make a case that Boye Mafe is a better player. I can’t see Seattle paying Mafe the Karlaftis deal, but we’ll see what happens.
Coby Bryant has made a successful transition to the safety spot, but is Emmanwori his replacement? I would prefer to see both on the Seahawks going forward. Do Charles Cross and Abe Lucas earn the big extensions, or does Seattle feel like consistency and health just aren’t quite there enough?
There are some massive financial decisions to be made in the next few weeks and months, as the Seahawks continue to try to be competitive through transition.
Can you retool on the fly?
And that’s the biggest question right? The Seahawks have made massive changes and massive additions, with plenty more still to come. Mike Macdonald and John Schneider still feel like the right guys, but this season will go a long way in verifying that.
Seattle has never been the tanking type of team, and they didn’t go that route this offseason. Things feel both new and the same. This team could potentially be a disaster or division champion that is hosting playoff games.
There are a lot of questions, and questions that won’t be answered in August, but there’s also a ton of intrigue. The Seahawks have felt a little stale since 2020, and this could be the first time really seeing if this team can move the needle, one way or the other.
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