Mike Macdonald's first season was promising. The team still won 10 games despite a complete coaching turn over and to start his second season a majority of the offensive coaching staff and players were sent packing. A lot of media outlets had the Seahawks finishing 3rd or 4th in the NFC West and missing the playoffs. "WE DID NOT CARE!" Coach Mac turned this team around in his second year. His approach to team unity, the process they go through every week, and the type of players and coaches he looks for drove this team to success.
A lot of people questioned trading DK & Geno, letting go of Lockett, and replacing the entire offense despite their success last season. As a person who's been advocating for these moves, I feel vindicated. The style of offense you need to win in the league, with the defense this team has, is an offense that isn't prone to turnovers and can control the clock. I am very happy with the play of the offense the second half of the season when Darnold went from a gunslinger to a game manager. The run game took center stage and Darnold just had to keep the team ahead of the chains and get them into scoring position. Unfortunately this means the Seahawks have lost some coaches in the off-season and may lose some players too but that comes with the territory of winning.
Now, let's dip into the off-season and look at who's leaving, who should be replaced, and how to fill the gaps.
Coaching:
It's no surprise to see Klint Kubiak leave. Given his family name and his offensive success this season he was bound for a promotion to another team. I'm happy he went to an AFC team so I don't have to root against him. I have nothing but praise for him in putting together this offense in 1 season with a bunch of new starters. He did an amazing job and deserves the success.
Who would be a great OC going forward? The Seahawks have been flirting with promoting coaches within. Given the list of available OCs in the league, this may actually be the best move. This may also help keep more offensive assistants in the building so the team doesn't lose a step next season.
Now let's look at players and see who's leaving and who should come back.
Free Agents:
- WR Rashid Shaheed: (Let go) - he had a fantastic 2nd half of the year for the Hawks on special teams but wasn't a factor much on offense. Players returning from injury will fill his roles well and he's owed a big payday at ~$14M/yr.
- T Josh Jones: (re-sign 2 yrs $3.5M/yr) Josh was an incredible backup at tackle who played through injuries and put together amazing depth. At his price he could be re-signed easily to backup both tackles.
- DE Boye Mafe: (let go) Boye has been a great defensive end but he hasn't fit well in Macdonald's scheme and his production has dropped, while DLaw and DHall have had great success.
- RB Ken Walker: (Franchise tag) K9 was having a rough start to the season but when Kubiak changed the offensive scheme he took off and ended up being superbowl MVP. The Seahawks would have to sign him to a top 5 RB deal but long term he seems too banged up to last and John isn't the type to lock up RBs to long deals during his tenure. A franchise pays top 5 money for 1 season while Charbo heals and Holani potentially leaves.
- CB Josh Jobe: (re-sign 2 yrs $10M/yr) Jobe was key to the defensive success when other corners were hurt and struggling. He was consistent all year at being the unsung hero. He's due for a big payday. If the Seahawks can sign him to a 2-3 year deal at $9-10M per year then I'd take him over Woolen.
- ILB Chazz Surratt: (let go) Chazz was great as a backup but honestly he didn't contribute much to the team and was mostly injured all year.
- S Coby Bryant: (re-sign 2 yrs $10M/yr) Coby is an amazing safety. He fits Macdonald's scheme well. Unfortunately he may get higher offers elsewhere but no safety is worth the price he might go for, regardless of how good they are.
- S Ty Okada: (re-sign 2 yrs $2M/yr) Ty is a great safety depth piece. He doesn't quite have the ball skills but he has the hitting power against the run and pass. He should be very affordable due to being a backup and under the radar across the league. He'll be needed if Coby takes more money elsewhere.
- FB/ST Brady Russell: (re-sign 2 yrs $2M/yr) Brady is a key ST piece on this team. He plays hard and the locker room loves him. He should be available for cheap and is a great depth piece at FB.
- WR Cody White: (let go) Cody is great. He can block, play ST, and gives you depth when players get hurt. Unfortunately he's now aging out at his position and hasn't contributed in a significant enough way to earn his role over potential draft picks or UDFA's.
- CB Riq Woolen: (let go) I loved Tariq but Riq has been disappointing. He has great ball skills but his lack of physicality makes him a bad fit in Macdonald's scheme. He will make amazing plays followed up by complete blunders by blowing his coverage or making a dumb penalty. He will get his bag elsewhere so no love lost. I prefer to keep Jobe over him.
- WR Dareke Young: (re-sign 2 yrs $1M/yr) Dareke is awesome as a depth WR. His play on ST and in run blocking are second to none. Injuries hurt him a couple years ago but he looks to be back in full force. He should be a cheap signing.
- DT Brandon Pili: (re-sign 2 yrs $1M/yr) Pili is a great DT depth piece. There are several interior DTs ahead of him but he's proven he can be reliable when needed. He'll also be a very affordable signing as DT depth. Hopefully they keep him around on the active roster or as practice squad.
- ILB Drake Thomas: (re-sign 3 yrs $3M/yr) Drake went from a nobody to a huge part of the team. He can run the offense as the green dot when EJ is out and he can be part of base defense in run/pass downs. He is fast, he is smart, and he's a hard tackler. He should be a very affordable ILB depth piece and he fits perfectly in this scheme.
- WR Jake Bobo: (re-sign 2 yrs $2M/yr) much like Dareke, Bobo is a key WR depth piece for ST and run blockers. The fans and clubhouse love him. He should be a cheap short term signing.
- LS Chris Stoll: (re-sign 3 yrs $2M/yr) Stoll had a very good season at long snapper and it would make sense to keep the kicking and punting game together for the next few years.
- S AJ Finley: (let go) Finley wasn't much of a factor on this superbowl run and is easily replaced via the draft or free agency as a depth piece.
- RB George Holani: (re-sign 2 yrs $2M/yr) Holani is a great RB depth piece and with K9 potentially leaving, Charbo being injured most of next season, and KMac coming back from injury, the team will need Holani to come back. He should be an affordable short term signing.
Non-FA's To Release or Trade:
RG Bradford: Bradford has been awful at RG. His pass protection is horrible. He may be good in the run game but in passing situations he gets burned or commits a penalty far too often. He cannot be relied upon. Despite winning a superbowl with him, there's many plays that went wrong because of him in almost every big game during the season. Bradford can be replaced in free agency or the draft.
2026 NFL Draft:
The unfortunate side of winning the last game of the year is the Seahawks dropping to the #32 overall pick. The Seahawks also may get some compensatory picks but those haven't been announced yet so they currently have 4 picks overall (R1 #32, R2 #64, R3 #96, R6 #tbd).
Draft needs: The Seahawks don't have urgent needs but could use some competition and depth. They should target Oline, RB, S, CB, DE
Overall Expectations:
For 2026 I'm expecting a tough NFC West again but the Seahawks will have the players and coaches with the ability to repeat as champions. It is very difficult to predict how things will go until players and coaches fall into place. After the draft I'll have a much clearer prediction but for now I say the Seahawks will win the NFC West and compete in the NFC Championship game again. There's no reason not to expect this after they did it previously a decade ago.