Seahawks offseason continues to go perfectly after Jalen Ramsey trade

The Seattle Seahawks have so far made the moves they needed to make this offseason, but they are also getting help from rivals as well. Seattle should be better in 2023 than they were in 2022 because they are keeping key players but adding talent as well through the draft. But while Seattle might getting better, another NFC West team seems to be getting worse.

The Los Angeles Rams have been a thorn in the Seahawks’ side since 2015. This is before Los Angeles even got really good. But Seattle did beat the Rams twice in 2022. The feeling was that Los Angeles was so banged up that they were only a shell of the team they expected to be.

But the Rams have made so many moves this offseason to let talent go, the team they were at the end of 2022 might be better than the team the Seahawks face in 2023. Jalen Ramsey is reportedly being traded to the Dolphins. Ramsey is among the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Seattle receiver DK Metcalf seems to get matched up often against Ramsey when Seattle plays Los Angeles but without Ramsey being around, Metcalf should have an easier time against the Rams. This means Seattle’s offense should have an easier time against LA as well.

Seahawks offseason is going nearly perfectly so far

But the Rams aren’t just letting go of Ramsey, they are also releasing linebacker Bobby Wagner and edge rusher Leonard Floyd. Wagner was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2022. Jalen Ramsey was a Pro Bowler. Floyd has had at least 9 sacks in each of the past three seasons. That is a lot of talent for the Rams to say goodbye to.

Meanwhile, both the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers – the Seahawks’ other NFC West rivals – will have questions at quarterback entering the 2023 season. Arizona’s Kyler Murray tore his ACL late in 2022 so who knows when he might be able to return? San Francisco has multiple quarterbacks injured. Arizona made a coaching change this offseason as well.

But the Seahawks have re-signed quarterback Geno Smith, so the team’s quarterback situation is set and solid. The Seahawks might even be able to re-sign Bobby Wagner as a free agent this offseason which would improve the defense. And because the Panthers and Bears worked out a trade where Carolina would get the number 1 overall pick and will likely choose a quarterback, either defensive tackle Jalen Carter or edge rusher Will Anderson should fall to the Seahawks at pick number 5 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

Seattle could still find a way to mess up the draft or not add some veteran talent at positions of need in free agency, but right now the offseason is shaping up perfectly for the team. The Rams continue to help by unloading very good players. Arizona is kind of a mess. At worst, as things shape up right now, Seattle should be expected to finish, at worst, second in the NFC West in 2023 and that should mean another playoff spot.