3 pivotal traits the Seattle Seahawks must adopt for 2023 success

Seattle Seahawks must adopt an aggressive defense

Ever since the Legion of Boom began to age and break apart in the late 2010s, the Seahawks defense has been more reactive than proactive. Seattle has never been a blitzing team and if their base defense is sound they don't need to blitz much. But they do need to do something other than lay back and allow teams to pick up third downs and control the clock. Much of this has happened because opponents know Seattle isn't going to come after them on obvious passing downs.

This wasn't always the case when Jamal Adams was healthy in 2020 and had 9.5 sacks in 12 games, but Adams didn't have much help. Now Seattle is deeper at edge rusher with Uchenna Nwosu, Darrell Taylor, Derick Hall, and Boye Mafe. If teams are having to account for all the base players, that should free up an occassional blitzer.

Ideally on passing downs Seattle could play three safeties but have Adams play a hybrid linebacker role. This would leave Quandre Diggs and Julian Love (a good combo to have at safety even if Adams isn't on the roster) on the backend. If a team turns out to run the ball then Adams would still be solid crunching the offensive line. And Adams wouldn't need to blitz all the time; That would be too obvious.

Let's assume Adams isn't healthy for a lot of 2023. Seattle still has the ability to be more aggressive. Tariq Woolen is a good corner and the Seahawks have more corner help in 2023 after drafting Devon Witherspoon. Mike Jackson likely provides depth and he is solid in coverage as well. If Seattle knows the secondary is going to cover well, they can be more free to rush offside guys. Keeping a team off-balance in knowing what's coming will go a long way toward making Seattle's defense better in 2023.