For the last six years, the Seattle Seahawks passing offense has run through the likes of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
When an organization decides to part ways with a pair of players in one offseason who have produced 1,099 receptions, 14,918 yards, and 110 touchdowns in a Seahawks’ uniform, it may signal that the organization is going through a major transition period.
Combine the departures of these wideouts with a change at quarterback and it is fair to ponder whether the Seattle Seahawks are simply reloading or attempting to rebuild this roster entering the 2025 NFL season.
Mike Macdonald’s first year as the head coach of the Seahawks shouldn’t be considered a failure because they didn’t make it to the postseason in 2024.
Seattle did finish the year as a top 12 defensive unit by allowing an average of just 332 total yards per game and saw both Devon Witherspoon and Leonard Williams thrive in this new defensive scheme.
The offensive side of the ball certainly saw the emergence of some younger players too with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Charles Cross having outstanding years, but the offense was a bit too inconsistent to ultimately secure a division title.
This led to a multitude of moves early in free agency that caught many by surprise. The Seahawks traded both WR DK Metcalf and QB Geno Smith and was quickly followed up by signing Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp in free agency.
Darnold is coming off a career year in 2024 where he threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings. He is also considerably younger than Smith, which should give the Seahawks a potential long-term option under center under Mike Macdonald.
Yet, the signing of Cooper Kupp makes a bit less sense if this organization wanted to improve on the offensive side of the ball.
Kupp is on the wrong side of 30, has failed to top 850 yards receiving or seven scores in three straight seasons, and excels in the same power slot role that Smith-Njigba does.
Admittedly, the departures of both Metcalf and Lockett could have been financial decisions. Metcalf did receive a massive contract extension upon arrival in Pittsburgh, but it’s hard to argue that the receiver room got better this offseason.
A main focus of the Seahawks this offseason has to be addressing the interior of the offensive line, which was a major issue for this team in 2024.
Ultimately, the Seahawks still have some very nice foundational pieces on both sides of the ball — but time will tell if these aggressive moves at quarterback and receiver were the right decisions for the ceiling of this organization.