The Seattle Seahawks have had a dizzying offseason. With many months until the season kicks off, the team has already drastically remade its roster. Their offseason began in a puzzling way. In the span of a couple of days, the team traded Quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, traded Wide Receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and released franchise cornerstone Tyler Lockett.
Even with high-profile weapons in 2024, the offense was middling. They were 14th in total yards per game and 18th in points per game. They narrowly missed the NFL Playoffs due to a tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams. Coming off a solid season, the Seattle Seahawks remade their offense in a truly unexpected way. Will this new-look offense be more successful?
Seattle Seahawks Offense Looks To Defy Expectations
Thoughts on the #Seahawks’ new offense? 🏈 pic.twitter.com/pXcpYQm6eB
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 14, 2025
Many in the NFL world believe the Seattle Seahawks got drastically worse on offense this offseason. I believe the Seahawks upgraded and saved millions by swapping Quarterback Sam Darnold for Smith. Darnold is making approximately $33.3 million. Smith was seeking a contract paying him $40-45 million per season. In no world is Smith $7-10 million better than Darnold.
Darnold’s stock took a tumble following a rough final two games with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings, who have no viable quarterback option at the moment, should have re-signed Darnold. That is especially true if the quarterback was willing to accept a team-friendly deal. A great season should not be overshadowed by a rough stretch. Seattle understood that.
The team decided to trade Metcalf as a cost-cutting measure. Metcalf signed a four-year $132 million extension soon after he was sent to Pittsburgh. While Metcalf is four years younger than former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, the drop off is not as steep as one believes.
Metcalf is a good wide receiver, but not great. His contract extension gives him the third-highest annual salary amongst wide receivers. That is a drastic overpayment. Metcalf is not the third-best wide receiver in the NFL. Seattle did well to move off Metcalf and receive a second-round pick in the acquisition. The issue with Kupp is health. If he can remain relatively healthy, he will put up similar numbers to Metcalf at a fraction of the price.
Final Thoughts
Kupp and Darnold will be joined on offense by Running Back Kenneth Walker III and Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The issue the Seahawks will face in 2025 is not with their skill position players but with their offensive line. That part of the team has taken a drastic step back this offseason. I trust Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider to make the correct moves in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft to get the team on the path toward success.
