Where the Seahawks stand in NFC West after early free agency period

Best offseason in the NFC West: Seattle Seahawks

The moves the Seahawks have made this offseason aren’t going to necessarily vault them over the 49ers and into first place in the division next season, but they are a bit closer to the 49ers at this point than they were. Seattle still has a little money to spend and could add more pieces, but the players they have added in free agency – or re-signed – fill positions of need with quality performers.

First, the Seahawks re-signed Geno Smith to a relatively team-friendly team that could keep Smith in Seattle for three more seasons. He was good in 2022 and he just needs to continue that kind of play, maybe with a slight improvement, to keep Seattle in playoff contention. Seattle also re-signed kicker Jason Myers and he has been mostly stellar for the team for four seasons.

But Seattle needed better players on their defensive line and they got them when they signed Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed. If Hargrave is the best player added to the division, Jones isn’t far behind. He gives Seattle a pass-rushing presence at the interior of the defensive line. Reed can get to the quarterback some as well but is good against the run.

Seattle also added Julian Love at strong safety and he is an excellent tackler who should be able to help in run support. The Seahawks needed a center and they got Evan Brown who was solid for the Lions in 2021 at the position. At inside linebacker, Seattle added Devin Bush. All three of these players are relatively inexpensive.

And all these moves should help the team be better next year and that is before Seattle adds even more talent in the 2023 draft. Seattle has two first-round picks and two second-round choices. The 49ers might be the class of the NFC West right now but the Seahawks are catching up.