12s might find Seahawks' top 'challenge' warning hilarious

Like every NFL team, the Seattle Seahawks have some parts of the team that the organization views as strengths and some as weaknesses. Seattle's offensive line is a huge unknown and no one would consider that currently as one of the best pieces of the team. The wide receiver group, in contrast, should be good.

New head coach Mike Macdonald should make an immediate improvement on the defense, but 12s cannot yet assume the defense will be very good. In 2025, maybe. In 2024, the players might still be adapting to the new scheme.

The offense needs to be the strength of the team and it should be. If the offensive line can be any better at all, the skill position players have shown they can be productive. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are one of the best receiver trios in the league, and tight end Noah Fant should be better used by new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

NFL.com doubts Seahawks passing game can stay "afloat"

The odd part is that NFL.com's Eric Edholm has "keeping the passing game afloat" as the team's top challenge. There is no mention of the offensive line's potential quality which seems strange because if that unit is solid, the passing game should be fantastic. There is too much talent for the group not to be.

Edholm's main concern is with quarterback Geno Smith and whether his perceived down-season in 2023 will be better under Grubb this year. The key here is that Smith was not terrible and people seem to forget about that. He wasn't as good as 2022, but he still led the league in game-winning drives and fourth quarter comebacks in 2023.

His total QBR also ranked in the top half of the league. Smith can win games and he can be productive doing so. Grubb should help him out because, unlike former OC Shane Waldron, the new OC shouldn't be so pass-heavy, and pass-heavy toward the wide receivers and not involve the running backs or tight ends, that the offense becomes predictable.

Smith could be less productive in raw statistics and more efficient because of the versatility of the offense. A good run game is also going to do much more than simply keep the passing game afloat as well.

Edholm thinks there is a chance that Smith won't stay the starter for the entire season. In fact, he says he wouldn't be "shocked" if Sam Howell takes over at some point. No matter who the quarterback is, Smith or Howell should be able to rely on the weapons the Seahawks offense has, especially in the passing game.

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