The NFC West is going to be tight, barring lots of injuries for key players on multiple teams. Let's hope that doesn't happen to the Seattle Seahawks, of course. But assuming most teams stay healthy, one or two games might make a difference between second place (and a likely playoff spot) and last place.
The Seahawks might have the most glaring question mark in the division, though. How good will quarterback Sam Darnold be? The Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals all return their quarterbacks. Seattle doesn't.
Moreover, the Seahawks have a new offensive coordinator in the person of Klint Kubiak, and two of the team's presumed top-three wide receivers are new. Assuming all those elements can work together quickly and be ready for Week 1 might be foolish. An unexpected loss simply because a unit is still gelling might cripple Seattle's playoff hopes.
NFL analyst predicts the Seattle Seahawks to finish last in the NFC West
This is why the 2025 season for the Seahawks could go quite badly. Even if Darnold and offseason acquisitions Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are good by midseason, that might be too late.
A recent article from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton echoes that thinking. Moton predicts each team that will finish last in every NFL division, and for the NFC West, he has the Seahawks. He gives flowers to head coach Mike Macdonald for Seattle's potentially dangerous defense, but the offense could be a mess.
Moton writes, "Darnold will regress behind an offensive line with question marks on the interior, resulting in Seattle taking a slight step back in the standings in a seven- or eight-win campaign."
To be fair, Darnold's line with the Vikings wasn't extremely good. What worked well in Minnesota last year was the quarterback having Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw to, and head coach Kevin O'Connell directing the offense. Even if Kubiak does a great job, Seattle doesn't have Justin Jefferson.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be even better in 2025, but defenses will be more focused on him as well. JSN will not have DK Metcalf scaring secondaries and drawing attention away from him. Can Smith-Njigba be as efficient and productive with much more attention on him?
There could be a huge upside to this, though, and that is what general manager John Schneider is hoping for. Darnold could have fewer red zone interceptions than previous QB1 Geno Smith had. This should equate to more points, and that should equate to even more victories.
Plus, the offensive line could be better with high-end rookie left guard Grey Zabel and a healthy Abraham Lucas at right tackle. If the Seahawks run the ball more (as expected) and Kenneth Walker III stays healthy, that would take stress off of Darnold and allow Seattle to have an offense that has improved time of possession and keeps the defense fresh.
The Seahawks could easily finish in first place in the division and then make a deep run in the postseason. The opposite, however, is just as likely a scenario.