After a dominant Super Bowl win, the Seattle Seahawks sit atop the NFL mountain. Mike Macdonald cemented himself as one of the best defensive minds in the league, and quarterback Sam Darnold completed a historic career turnaround to become one of the best stories in sports.
Now that the celebrations have ended, it is time to start looking ahead to next season. Many people say the NFL really stands for “Not For Long,” highlighting how difficult it is for teams to remain among the league’s elite. The league’s relentless parity makes every free agency period vital.
Coaching Staff
After the dominant Super Bowl performance, the biggest question mark heading into next season for the Seahawks was replacing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Kubiak is taking over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after drastically improving the Seahawks’ offense in only one season. That hole was filled last week when the Seahawks hired former San Francisco 49ers run game coordinator Brian Fleury. Fleury comes from the same coaching tree as Kubiak and is expected to run a similar offense.
Who Should the Seahawks Re-Sign?
The Seahawks have multiple major contributors set to hit free agency this offseason. Kenneth Walker, Rashid Shaheed, Boye Mafe, Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Drake Thomas could all end up wearing another jersey next season. Seattle has the sixth-most cap space heading into free agency, but it will still have to let certain players walk, as star players Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will both need extensions in the near future.
Although Walker won Super Bowl MVP and has been one of the most productive running backs in the league since being drafted, it is in the Seahawks’ best interest to let him walk. The running back position has proven to be replaceable through the draft, and Zach Charbonnet is more than capable of being the lead back in a great offense. Walker will deservedly get a big payday, but likely not from the Seahawks.
The Seahawks’ number one priority should be re-signing Shaheed, Bryant, and Thomas. Shaheed’s game-wrecking speed was a vital part of the Seahawks’ success down the stretch, and his lack of volume as a pass catcher should keep him affordable.
Bryant understands this defense well and has developed into a leader on that side of the ball. His positional value makes him another affordable contributor the Seahawks should prioritize re-signing.
Thomas, who went undrafted in the 2023 draft, was one of the biggest surprises on this year’s team. He was third on the team in tackles while racking up 3.5 sacks. He’s a smart, physical linebacker with underrated closing speed when attacking the ball. Thomas still seems to be under the radar, so expect the Seahawks to re-sign him to a team-friendly deal.
Mafe and Woolen would be great players for the Seahawks to bring back, but because of the depth Seattle has at their positions and the money they are expected to command, expect both players to move on from Seattle.
Which Upcoming Free Agents Should the Seahawks Target?
If the Seahawks are going to make a big signing, expect them to target center Tyler Linderbaum or guard David Edwards. Linderbaum has been one of the best centers in the league since being drafted, earning Pro Bowl honors three straight years. Edwards is a large, physical presence who has helped the Bills dominate in the run game alongside Josh Allen. Both players would be huge additions to the Seahawks’ weakest overall unit.
