3 signings that would instantly improve Seahawks offensive line
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks may be going through a rebuild but it needs to be quicker. One thing that would make Seattle better faster is to sign the three very good offensive linemen.
Seattle will probably try to run the ball more next year, or at least more consistently effective. I can already hear some 12s groan. “Run more?” For some reason, Pete Carroll is seen as some kind of dinosaur when it comes to his philosophy of wanting to run the ball effectively. This reaction is not only ageist (Carroll is the oldest coach in the NFL), but it’s simply incorrect.
Seattle threw the ball in 2021 – even while missing Russell Wilson completely for three games and having him be a shell of himself for about three others – on 57 percent of plays. The league average was 58 percent. In 2020, Seattle threw the ball 60 percent of the time while the league average was 58 percent again.
Three offensive linemen the Seahawks should still sign in free agency
And does running the ball well work? Yep. Three playoffs teams in 2021, the 49ers, Titans and the Eagles, were among the bottom four teams in the least amount of times thrown by percentage. So it isn’t running the ball that makes teams lose, it is not great defense, turnovers and bad special teams.
One way to get better at running the ball is to have a great offensive line. And the Seahawks adding excellent offensive linemen will also serve to protect whoever Seattle’s quarterback is in 2022, especially as that quarterback will likely be either inexperienced or a bridge to Seattle’s next very good quarterback.
There are several offensive linemen still available in free agency that would likely help improve Seattle’s win-loss record next year.