The Seattle Seahawks could have some real defensive issues moving forward. Through most of four games, the defense was great and a top-five unit. Then, unfortunately, a meltdown occurred against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Seattle gave up 38 points and lost.
Some of quarterback Baker Mayfield's magic against Seattle was simply him being great, though he was. By the second half, the Seahawks were missing five key players, four of them starters. Any defense would struggle against Mayfield as well as he was playing, but a weakened Seattle team had no chance.
But perhaps Seattle's biggest flaw was also exposed. The cornerback group overall is not that strong. The team relies on Josh Jobe, for instance, a veteran who is capable of being good, but is inconsistent.
Seattle Seahawks biggest flaw exposed versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jobe, though, is far from the biggest problem. Instead, former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen has been worse this season, and wasn't playing much better against Tampa Bay. But any doubt about Woolen being benched moving forward likely ended when his replacement entered the game.
Seattle might be able to get away with moving Devon Witherspoon, whenever he returns from injury, to one outside corner spot, and having Jobe play the other. The issue is that Witherspoon is great in the slot because of his coverage skills, but also his ability to help stop the run and blitz.
Moving him solely to outside corner limits the versatility of the defense overall. Free agent pick-up Derion Kendrick has had moments of brilliance this season, and he can play in the slot, too, but how long he can sustain his success is unknown and unproven.
The Seahawks are likely stuck with Woolen once he returns from injury (he suffered a concussion in Week 5 and could miss Week 6) because after he left the game and Nehemiah Pritchett entered, things got far worse for Seattle.
The 2024 draft pick gave up two touchdowns and was easily beaten on the first one, a 20-yard throw from Mayfield to rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka on third-and-15. If Woolen and Witherspoon remain out against the Jacksonville Jaguars, though, Pritchett could be one of the starters. That alone might be enough to doom Seattle.
The Seattle Seahawks have a bye week in Week 8. Before that, the team plays the Jaguars and the Houston Texans. Unless Seattle's secondary gets healthy quickly, the team could be staring at a 3-4 record by the time they get some needed rest.