Seahawks Embark on Radical Overhaul After Playoff Near-Miss
The National Football League is a league defined by razor-thin margins. Every season, several teams find themselves agonizingly close to the playoff picture, only to be denied a postseason berth by a narrow defeat, a tiebreaker scenario, or the unforgiving realities of strength of schedule. The Seattle Seahawks experienced this heartbreak firsthand last season.
Despite finishing with a commendable 10-7 record, identical to that of the NFC West division-winning Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks were left watching the playoffs from home. Their undoing was a slightly tougher schedule compared to their divisional rivals. The disappointment was palpable.
In such a situation, it would have been easy, perhaps even expected, for the Seahawks organization to take a conservative approach. They could have opted to maintain the status quo, hope for a bit more luck in the upcoming 2025 season, and allow new head coach Mike Macdonald to further implement his system. After all, a 10-7 record suggests a solid foundation, and continuity often breeds success in the NFL.
However, general manager John Schneider and the Seahawks front office have chosen a dramatically different path. Instead of clinging to the familiar, they have initiated a comprehensive rebuild, a bold move that signals a clear intention to contend for championships, not just playoff appearances. This offseason has been marked by a series of seismic transactions, reshaping the team’s roster and offensive identity.
The week preceding the official start of free agency was a whirlwind of activity for Seattle. The team made the difficult decision to release Tyler Lockett, a franchise icon and long-time stalwart of the Seahawks receiving corps. Lockett’s departure represents the end of an era, as he had been a beloved figure in Seattle for nearly a decade.
Even more surprisingly, the Seahawks traded starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. Smith, who had resurrected his career in Seattle, leading the team to a playoff berth in 2022 and displaying consistent performance in 2023, was deemed expendable. This trade signaled a significant shift in the team’s quarterback strategy, suggesting a desire for a different skillset or perhaps a longer-term solution under center.
The final piece of this pre-free agency flurry was the trade of two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver D.K. Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Metcalf, a physical specimen and a dominant force in the passing game, was a cornerstone of the Seahawks’ offense. His departure leaves a considerable void in the receiving corps and further underscores the magnitude of the team’s roster overhaul.
With Lockett, Smith, and Metcalf all gone, the Seahawks entered free agency with a clear mandate to rebuild their offense. Their first major move was to address the quarterback position. They secured the services of Sam Darnold, arguably the top quarterback available on the free-agent market.
Darnold, a former first-round pick, is looking for a fresh start in Seattle. While his career has been marked by inconsistency, the Seahawks are betting on his potential and hoping that a change of scenery and a new coaching staff can unlock his talent. Darnold provides a veteran presence under center as the team navigates this transition period.
The Seahawks’ offense in 2025 will bear little resemblance to its predecessor. The arrival of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak promises a modernized scheme. Kubiak is expected to bring a creative and dynamic approach, potentially emphasizing the running game and utilizing play-action passing to maximize Darnold’s strengths.
With the departures of Lockett and Metcalf, the Seahawks’ wide receiver depth chart is undergoing a significant transformation. Currently, these players are under contract for the 2025 season, and the team also has decisions to make on restricted free agent Jaelon Darden and exclusive rights free agent Cody White.
Despite the departures of seasoned veterans, the Seahawks have a promising young star in Smith-Njigba, their first-round pick from the 2023 NFL draft. Smith-Njigba enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, leading the team in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,130), and receiving touchdowns (six). He is poised to be the focal point of the Seahawks’ passing attack for years to come.
The Seahawks also added veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. Valdes-Scantling brings a combination of size and speed. The Seahawks are hoping that he can provide a reliable target for Darnold and contribute to the team’s deep passing game.
The trades executed by the Seahawks before free agency have yielded a significant windfall in terms of draft capital. The team now possesses a league-high five selections within the first 100 picks of the 2025 NFL draft, giving them ample opportunity to add young talent and address key positions of need. In total, they have 10 picks.
The Seahawks’ decision to embark on a full-scale rebuild is a calculated risk. It requires patience and a long-term vision. However, the potential reward is a team that is not only capable of making the playoffs but also built to compete for championships. John Schneider and the Seahawks are betting that this bold approach will ultimately pay off, ushering in a new era of success in Seattle.
