2026 Seattle Seahawks Season Outlook

The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 season attempting to accomplish something the franchise has never done: repeat as Super Bowl champion.

Mike Macdonald’s team defeated New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, completing a season built around a dominant defense, an efficient offense and one of the NFL’s deepest rosters. Seattle retained almost every important contributor from that championship team, including quarterback Sam Darnold, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, most of the offensive line and nearly the entire defensive front.

There were meaningful losses. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III departed, starting safety Coby Bryant signed elsewhere, and the Seahawks lost defensive contributors Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen. Seattle addressed those vacancies primarily through the draft rather than through expensive outside acquisitions.

The result is a roster that should remain among the league’s best, but one that will rely on several young players to replace proven veterans.

Offense

Quarterback

Sam Darnold returns after leading Seattle to a championship in his first season with the organization.

Darnold benefited from an offense that protected him, created defined reads and did not require him to rescue the team every week. Seattle’s offensive line allowed only 27 sacks during the 2025 regular season, tied for the fifth-fewest in the NFL. That protection helped Darnold avoid the hurried decisions and turnover stretches that had affected him earlier in his career.

Darnold does not need to become an MVP-level quarterback for Seattle to repeat. He must continue making sound decisions, hit the explosive opportunities created by play-action and avoid giving opponents short fields. His ability to remain composed against pressure will be particularly important against a schedule containing several elite defensive fronts.

Jalen Milroe returns as the developmental quarterback behind him. Milroe’s athletic ability gives Seattle the option of creating specialized packages, although the organization should continue prioritizing his development as a complete passer.

Drew Lock offers experienced veteran depth. Seattle therefore has more protection against a short-term quarterback absence than many contenders, even though a lengthy Darnold injury would substantially lower its ceiling.

Running back

Running back presents the greatest offensive transition.

Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City after starting in the Super Bowl and earning the game’s MVP award. Seattle replaced him by selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick. The Seahawks also signed Emanuel Wilson to join Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh and the other returning backs.

Charbonnet enters camp as the experienced option. He is powerful between the tackles, reliable in pass protection and capable of handling receiving assignments. He may begin the season as the nominal starter, but Seattle did not spend a first-round selection on Price merely to use him sparingly.

Price brings acceleration, home-run ability and experience contributing on special teams. His initial workload may depend on pass protection and ball security, but he has a realistic opportunity to become the lead runner during his rookie season.

The likely arrangement is a committee:

• Charbonnet handling difficult early-down, short-yardage and protection assignments.
• Price becoming the primary explosive-play threat.
• Wilson providing another physical runner.
• McIntosh competing for passing-down and special-teams work.

Seattle may lose some of Walker’s individual creativity, but the overall rushing production should remain respectable. Price’s development will determine whether the running game remains merely functional or again becomes a postseason weapon.

Wide receiver

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the centerpiece of the passing offense.

Smith-Njigba produced the best receiving season in franchise history in 2025 and earned first-team All-Pro recognition. His route running, spatial awareness and ability to win from both the slot and outside make him one of the NFL’s most difficult receivers to contain.

Defenses will now devote even more attention to him. Seattle must punish opponents that use bracket coverage or rotate safeties toward Smith-Njigba.

Cooper Kupp remains an important complementary receiver. At this stage of his career, Kupp may no longer consistently separate deep, but he remains valuable against zone coverage, on third down and in the red zone. His understanding of leverage and coverage structure helps Darnold find answers when the original play breaks down.

Seattle also retained Rashid Shaheed, maintaining the vertical speed that stretches defensive coverage. Shaheed can align outside, attack deep zones and contribute as a returner. Tory Horton was emerging as a promising rookie before a shin injury ended his 2025 season, and his return could give the Seahawks another outside target with size and developmental upside.

Jake Bobo returns as a reliable blocker and possession option. Sixth-round rookie Emmanuel Henderson Jr. has speed and an immediate path to the roster through special teams.

This is one of the NFL’s deepest receiver rooms. Smith-Njigba is the star, but Kupp, Shaheed, Horton and Bobo give Seattle enough variety to attack different coverage structures.

Tight end

AJ Barner enters 2026 with an opportunity to establish himself among the league’s better complete tight ends.

Barner combines size, blocking ability and improving receiving production. His value extends beyond statistics because his presence allows Seattle to use heavier formations without surrendering the threat of a pass. He can remain attached to the formation, work across the middle or leak into open space off play-action.

Elijah Arroyo provides a more athletic receiving option and should play a larger role in his second season. Brady Russell returns as a versatile blocker, fullback and special-teams contributor.

The combination of Barner and Arroyo allows Seattle to use two-tight-end personnel to support the running game while still creating difficult coverage assignments. That versatility should help compensate for the loss of Walker by creating clearer running lanes and favorable play-action opportunities.

Offensive line

Seattle returns all five primary starters:

• Left tackle: Charles Cross
• Left guard: Grey Zabel
• Center: Jalen Sundell
• Right guard: Anthony Bradford
• Right tackle: Abraham Lucas

Cross, Zabel, Bradford and Lucas started every regular-season and postseason game in 2025. Sundell started 13 regular-season games and returned to start throughout the playoffs after a knee injury.

Continuity is a significant strength. Cross has developed into a dependable blindside protector, while Lucas provides physical run blocking when healthy. Zabel earned all-rookie recognition and could make another substantial improvement in his second season.

Bradford remains the most vulnerable starter in pass protection, but he offers size and power. Sundell must prove that his late-season health issues will not become persistent.

Olu Oluwatimi provides experienced center depth, while Amari Kight and Josh Jones have played meaningful tackle snaps. Fifth-round rookie Beau Stephens adds developmental interior depth, and veteran Bobby Hart provides another flexible reserve option. Seattle reported no significant offensive-line departures during the offseason.

This should be an above-average unit. Its ceiling depends on Zabel’s development and Lucas’ availability, but it is far more stable than the offensive lines Seattle fielded earlier in the decade.

Defense

Defensive line and edge rushers

Seattle’s defensive front was central to its championship and should again be the foundation of the team.

Leonard Williams remains the unit’s established interior disruptor. His ability to create pressure from several alignments allows Macdonald to disguise fronts and manufacture unfavorable protection matchups.

Byron Murphy II should continue expanding his role. Murphy has the quickness to penetrate and the strength to withstand double teams, giving Seattle another player who can disrupt both the run and pass.

Jarran Reed supplies veteran stability, while Brandon Pili, Mike Morris and other rotational linemen allow Seattle to keep its interior players fresh. Seventh-round rookie Deven Eastern is a developmental nose tackle who can compete for an early-down role once healthy.

On the edge, DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu return as experienced defenders. Derick Hall has an opportunity to assume a larger pass-rushing role following Boye Mafe’s departure for Cincinnati.

Seattle added Dante Fowler Jr. to replace some of the lost edge production. Fowler is not necessarily an every-down player at this point, but he can still contribute in designated passing situations. Mafe was the only major departure from a defensive front that the Seahawks themselves identified as one of the driving forces behind their Super Bowl victory.

The group lacks one obvious Defensive Player of the Year candidate, but it possesses exceptional depth and alignment flexibility. Macdonald can create pressure through personnel combinations rather than relying exclusively on heavy blitzing.

Linebacker

Ernest Jones IV has become the leader of the defense.

Jones combines physical run defense, communication ability and enough coverage range to remain on the field in most situations. His understanding of Macdonald’s system helps Seattle disguise pressure and coverage without suffering assignment breakdowns.

Tyrice Knight is positioned to continue alongside him after gaining valuable experience during the championship season. Knight’s speed and pursuit ability complement Jones’ more physical style.

Drake Thomas and Chazz Surratt provide depth, with Surratt also serving as an important special-teams contributor. Seattle re-signed Surratt after he recorded the team’s second-most special-teams tackles in 2025.

The linebacker group is not especially deep, but Jones’ presence stabilizes it. The primary risk is coverage against elite tight ends and receiving backs, particularly when Seattle cannot generate immediate pressure.

Cornerback

Devon Witherspoon is the secondary’s defining player.

Witherspoon can cover the slot, play outside, blitz and attack the running game. His versatility is essential to Macdonald’s defensive structure because he can change responsibilities after the snap without requiring a substitution.

Josh Jobe returns as the other established starting corner. Jobe’s physical style fits Seattle’s defense, although opponents will continue testing him when Witherspoon aligns away from the top receiving threat.

The departure of Riq Woolen creates an opening for the third cornerback role. Seattle signed Noah Igbinoghene and drafted three cornerbacks:

• Julian Neal in the third round.
• Andre Fuller in the seventh.
• Michael Dansby with the final selection of the draft.

Nehemiah Pritchett also has an opportunity to expand his role after contributing primarily on special teams.

Neal is the rookie most likely to play meaningful defensive snaps. He possesses enough length and confidence to compete outside, though rookie cornerbacks commonly experience inconsistency.

Seattle is strong at the top of the depth chart but less proven beyond Witherspoon and Jobe. The third cornerback competition is one of the team’s most important training-camp battles.

Safety

Julian Love returns as the veteran leader of the safety room.

Love offers range, anticipation and the ability to communicate adjustments throughout the secondary. Nick Emmanwori should continue operating as a hybrid safety, nickel defender and coverage linebacker, allowing Macdonald to match personnel without becoming predictable.

The primary vacancy is the spot previously occupied by Coby Bryant, the only defensive starter from Super Bowl LX who did not return. Seattle drafted TCU safety Bud Clark in the second round and also added Rodney Thomas II and D’Anthony Bell. Ty Okada is another candidate to earn the starting assignment.

Clark ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and arrives with strong ball production. He could eventually win the job, but Seattle does not need to rush him if Okada or Thomas proves more assignment-sound.

The loss of Bryant matters because safety communication is central to Seattle’s disguise-heavy defense. Still, Love and Emmanwori give the Seahawks two high-quality returning pieces, and the competition to replace Bryant includes several credible options.

Special teams

Jason Myers returns as the kicker. Myers possesses strong range and experience in poor weather, although his performance can be somewhat streaky. Seattle will need dependable conversion on routine kicks because the schedule contains numerous games likely to be decided by one possession.

Michael Dickson remains one of the NFL’s premier punters. His ability to alter field position is especially valuable to a team built around defense.

Chris Stoll returns as the long snapper.

Rashid Shaheed is the leading return-game weapon, though Seattle may manage his workload because of his offensive importance. Emmanuel Henderson Jr. was drafted partly because of his special-teams potential and could handle return or coverage assignments immediately.

Brady Russell, Chazz Surratt, Jake Bobo and several reserve defensive backs form the core of the coverage units. Dareke Young’s departure removes one of Seattle’s better special-teams players, but the Seahawks deliberately retained several other specialists and coverage contributors.

Offseason movement

Most important additions

• RB Jadarian Price: First-round candidate to replace Kenneth Walker III.
• S Bud Clark: Second-round safety competing for Coby Bryant’s former role.
• CB Julian Neal: Third-round corner with a chance to play immediately.
• EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.: Veteran rotational pass rusher.
• RB Emanuel Wilson: Physical backfield depth.
• CB Noah Igbinoghene: Veteran competition at the third cornerback position.
• S Rodney Thomas II and D’Anthony Bell: Competition and depth at safety.
• G Beau Stephens: Developmental interior lineman.
• WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.: Speed and special-teams potential.

Most important departures

• RB Kenneth Walker III: Signed with Kansas City.
• S Coby Bryant: Signed with Chicago.
• EDGE Boye Mafe: Signed with Cincinnati.
• CB Riq Woolen: Signed with Philadelphia.
• WR/Special teamer Dareke Young: Signed with Las Vegas.

Walker and Bryant were the only departing players who started in the Super Bowl, but Mafe and Woolen had substantial defensive roles. Seattle’s overall retention was nevertheless excellent for a defending champion.

Draft-class outlook

Seattle turned four original selections into an eight-player class:

Round	Player	Projected early role
1	RB Jadarian Price	Backfield rotation; potential starter
2	S Bud Clark	Starting-safety competition
3	CB Julian Neal	Third-cornerback competition
5	G Beau Stephens	Reserve interior lineman
6	WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.	Special teams and developmental receiver
7	CB Andre Fuller	Developmental corner and special teams
7	NT Deven Eastern	Rotational run defender
7	CB Michael Dansby	Developmental defensive back

Price carries the greatest immediate expectation because Seattle used a first-round pick on a non-quarterback skill player after losing Walker. Clark and Neal may ultimately be just as important because they are competing to replace experienced secondary contributors.

The draft class is designed to preserve the defending champion’s depth while adding speed at running back and in the defensive backfield.

Schedule assessment

Seattle has one of the league’s more difficult championship-defense schedules.

The Seahawks face 10 games against teams that made the previous postseason. Those opponents include the Rams and 49ers twice apiece, along with New England, Denver, the Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago, Philadelphia and Carolina.

The early schedule is particularly demanding. Seattle opens with a Super Bowl rematch, plays two road games and then moves into a stretch containing the Chargers, 49ers, Broncos, Chiefs and Bears. The trip to Denver comes on a short week.

A Week 11 bye is well placed, but the closing stretch is difficult. Seattle must travel to Philadelphia, host the Rams on Christmas, play an early-window road game at Carolina and finish at Los Angeles against the Rams. The Seahawks play the Rams twice in the final three weeks.

Six primetime games and multiple unusual scheduling spots create additional demands. Seattle will regularly receive opponents’ best effort because of its championship status.

The roster is good enough to handle the schedule, but repeating the previous season’s win total will be difficult.

Final prediction

Projected record: 11-6

Projected NFC West finish: Second place

Seattle and the Rams are closely matched. The Seahawks possess the stronger defense and greater roster continuity, while Los Angeles may have the more dangerous high-end passing offense. San Francisco also remains capable of affecting the division race.

The deciding factor is Seattle’s schedule and its two late meetings with the Rams. An 11-6 record could still win the division, but the narrower projection has Los Angeles finishing slightly ahead through a divisional tiebreaker.

Seattle’s realistic range is approximately 10-7 to 13-4. The floor is high because of the defense, offensive line and overall depth.

Postseason probabilities

Outcome	Estimated probability
Make the playoffs	82%
Win the NFC West	42%
Earn a top-two NFC seed	31%
Win first playoff game	66% if participating
Win divisional round	48% if participating
Win NFC Championship Game	38% if participating
Win Super Bowl LXI	23% if participating
Overall probability of repeating as champion	10%

The overall championship probability is lower than the conditional probability because it includes the chance of missing the playoffs or being eliminated in an earlier round.

Most likely postseason result

The most likely result is a wild-card or divisional title followed by an appearance in the divisional round.

Seattle has a legitimate chance to return to the NFC Championship Game because its defense can win on the road and remain effective against elite quarterbacks. The Seahawks can generate pressure without exposing their secondary, stop the run with light boxes and force opponents to sustain long drives.

Their postseason ceiling will be determined by Darnold and the running game. Seattle cannot assume its defense will repeatedly hold elite playoff opponents below 20 points. Darnold must make difficult third-down throws, while Price or Charbonnet must give the offense enough balance to prevent opposing pass rushers from attacking without hesitation.

Overall verdict

The Seahawks remain one of the NFL’s most complete teams.

Their strongest qualities are:

• A championship-caliber defensive structure.
• One of the league’s deepest defensive fronts.
• Elite secondary talent led by Devon Witherspoon.
• A returning offensive line that protected Darnold effectively.
• An All-Pro primary receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
• Strong coaching and schematic continuity.
• Sufficient depth at most important positions.

The principal risks are:

• Regression from Darnold after a career-defining season.
• Replacing Kenneth Walker III’s explosive production.
• Uncertainty at the third cornerback and second safety positions.
• The loss of Boye Mafe from the pass-rush rotation.
• A difficult schedule featuring 10 games against prior playoff teams.
• The historical difficulty of repeating as Super Bowl champion.

Final forecast: 11-6, second in the NFC West and a divisional-round appearance.

Seattle has approximately a one-in-three chance of reaching the NFC Championship Game and about a 10 percent chance of repeating as Super Bowl champion. The Seahawks are more likely to remain an elite contender than suffer a major championship hangover, but the schedule and competition within the NFC West make another Super Bowl run far from automatic.