Biggest challenge: Molding the right supporting cast for Sam Darnold.
The Seahawks signed Darnold in the offseason with the hope that he will continue to ascend after the breakout year he enjoyed in Minnesota in 2024. The important thing to remember here is how much his renaissance came down to the structure the Vikings offered him. Minnesota had great quarterback coaches, dynamic receivers and a reliable offensive line. The Seahawks do have a coach that knows Darnold well — the quarterback worked with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in San Francisco in 2023 — but there are a lot of questions after that. One wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, hasn’t played a full season since 2021. Another, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, is on his fourth team since 2023. Yes, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a blossoming star, but those other two have to play at a high level. There also will be questions about an offensive line that has been problematic for years, even with first-round pick Grey Zabel moving in at one of the guard spots. This isn’t a prediction of impending failure, by the way — just a way of saying there’s a lot to sort out here.
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