4 Seahawks who need to thrive in Week 1 vs Broncos

The Seattle Seahawks are about to begin their 2024 season so this is one of the best times of the year. We cannot be sure how good (or, though hopefully not...bad) Seattle will be this year. The team has a new coaching staff and a bunch of new starters.

New head coach Mike Macdonald should be able to fix a lot of issues that Seattle had in recent seasons defensively. This is especially true in terms of a more consistent pass rush and better run defense. If those problems are remedied, Seattle should be a playoff contender.

Macdonald's defense could also make the Seahawks dangerous if Seattle does make the postseason. The offense should be fine as a lot of the talent returns from the last couple of seasons. If all goes well, 12s will be happy at the end of the year. In Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, however, these four Seahawks need to shine.

Four Seattle Seahawks that need to shine in Week 1 versus the Denver Broncos

Head coach Mike Macdonald

Is Mike Macdonald ready to be a head coach? Not just in the NFL but at any level. Until Week 1 happens, Macdonald will have never been a head coach anywhere. He doesn't know what he doesn't know. The hope, however, is that Macdonald's defense will be as good as it can be in Week 1 of his first year because we know the scheme works.

Another good aspect is that Seattle hired Leslie Frazier this offseason to mentor Macdonald. There is nothing that can happen that Frzier has not seen in his many seasons in the league. Macdonald has to make the minute-by-minute decisions, but he doesn't have to do it alone.

How timeouts will be used and how late-game decisions are made remains to be soon, though. They will be different than what former head coach Pete Carroll did because each coach is different. Carroll was highly successful. Macdonald has to match that.

Quarterback Geno Smith

This is a make-or-break season for Geno Smith. He has not been a bad quarterback at all, but Seattle is tight against the cap next offseason, and releasing Smith could save the team $25 million. His backup, Sam Howell, is the much cheaper option, and should Seattle's season go south, changes might need to be made and a full rebuild began. Smith could be a tough roster cut.

Or, Smith could have the best season of his career in 2024 and earn not only his paycheck this season but an extension after 2025. Smith is currently signed for the next two years. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb's offense is tailor-made for the quarterback as Smith throws a great deep ball and Grubb's scheme is designed to get wide receivers open down the field.

Smith might need to stay away from cornerback Patrick Surtain in Week 1, but the rest of the Broncos' secondary is not fantastic. Smith should be able to have a great day, but he needs to prove he is in full control of Grubb's offense.

Linebacker Tyrel Dodson

Dodson has a lot to prove this season even though it is only his first one in the league. He will be the green dot on Macdonald's defense so he will be tasked with communicating the play-calls and making sure the other players are aligned correctly. For a player who has never been a full-time starter, that might be a lot to take on.

Dodson is a good fit in the Seahawks' defense, though. He can blitz on occasion and excels in coverage. He is also stout against the run. He isn't Bobby Wagner but he does not need to be. Macdonald's scheme requires things Dodson can do well that Wagner did not excel at - pass coverage to name the most important aspect.

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon

Witherspoon is going to be a great player no matter the system he plays, but in Macdonald's defense, he is going to be moved around a bunch, and his versatility is used to its fullest. The cornerback had three sacks in his rookie season and he could have five this year. He also will play quite a bit of outside corner instead of just in the slot.

This is because Witherspoon allows Macdonald to disguise his defenses even better. Teams have to account for where Witherspoon will be lined up and Seattle will probably move him around pre-snap as well. He should be a Pro Bowler this season because Macdonald is going to put him in the best situations to succeed.

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