The Seattle Seahawks have had a very good season for many reasons. The quarterback play is slightly better, but the poise of the QB has far improved, for instance. The defense is even better in Year 2 of the Mike Macdonald era. But one important aspect is that the offensive line is far greater than it has been.
Rookie Grey Zabel is a main reason for that. General manager John Schneider took a chance on taking the interior offensive lineman in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, a first for Schneider to take someone that high in the draft. Zabel has proven Schneider to be brilliant.
The rookie, however, doesn't think he would be as good as he is without his offensive line coach, John Benton. He said as much while speaking to the media on Tuesday, just days before Super Bowl LX. The entire team should echo Zabel's thoughts.
Seattle Seahawks rookie Grey Zabel gives a bittersweet answer about his success
Seattle's offensive line was among the worst in the league for years before Benton and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak were hired last offseason. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Seahawks' O-line ranked 32nd in the NFL in 2024. In other words, dead last.
This season? Seattle moved up to No. 15. Adding Zabel was key, of course, as was the sustained health of right tackle Abraham Lucas. It also helped that Zabel was playing left guard next to his North Dakota State teammate, Seattle center Jalen Sundell. The two knew how to work well beside each other, but John Benton made it all work.
The issue? A good chance exists that Benton could leave the Seattle Seahawks this coming offseason, as Kubiak is reported to be headed to take the head coach position for the Las Vegas Raiders. Why would Kubiak not take Benton with him, especially as the two also worked together for the New Orleans Saints in 2024?
Seattle will almost certainly need to hire a new offensive coordinator this offseason, and that person might need to grab a new offensive line coach, too. After so many years of being terrible, Seahawks fans had to breathe a sigh of relief with Kubiak and Benton making things work. In a week, Seattle might need to start all over again.
The hope is that whatever John Benton taught the offensive line sticks. The unit clearly has the talent to be solid, and hopefully, a new coach wouldn't make it a mess again.
Oh, and if you are wondering what Grey Zabel's dream offensive line is, he answered that, too. One was a Seattle Seahawks lineman, Steve Hutchinson, at left guard. Otherwise, Zabel would have Joe Staley of the San Francisco 49ers, Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons, and Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions.