Seahawks defense will be the reason Seattle shocks the NFL in 2022
By Boade Rowe
Seahawls linebacker group might be dominant even without Bobby Wagner
The next biggest question for the Seahawks on defense is linebacker, a question that is largely tied into the defensive line in the new Clint Hurtt-led defensive scheme. In years past, the Seahawks main defensive responsibilities for linebackers were coverage, run gap fits and calling defensive adjustments. The latter of those assignments may prove to be the most challenging by far for a multitude of reasons.
The first challenge for the Seahawks linebackers will be now having to account for pass rush adjustments on the outside in addition to zone coverage assignments for the middle and flat zone coverage adjustments. The next obvious question for the ‘Hawks would be how Jordyn Brooks will be able to fill the shoes of the future hall of fame linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Not to imply the Seahawks aren’t left in good hands, of course. Jordyn Brooks led the league in solo tackles last year and finished 2nd in total tackles. But this will be the first time Brooks will be called upon to adjust and lead the Seahawks defense by example. With Brooks taking a larger role, who will now effectively fill the other looming vacancies along the Seahawks linebacker core?
Well contrary to popular belief, Seattle is in much better hands than many think.
Cody Barton, the former third-round pick out of Utah, is coming into his fourth NFL season. In years past when asked about Barton’s role on the team, Pete Carroll has basically said, “Cody might just be the best coverage linebacker we have.”
That is pretty high praise considering at the time Carroll was praising Barton, Seattle boasted one of the best linebacking cores in the NFL with K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner. But that may have been the problem along, Barton’s been buried behind too much talent on the depth chart. But this year may just be the year he proves to be one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets.