Seahawks could be perfect home for this former Defensive Player of the Year

The Seattle Seahawks defense took a massive step in turning the corner in 2024.

Denver Broncos v Los Angeles Chargers
Denver Broncos v Los Angeles Chargers | Cooper Neill/GettyImages

After a 2023 campaign in which the Seahawks had a leaky defense, Seattle cut ties with long-time head coach Pete Carroll in favor of young defensive guru Mike Macdonald. In that one year since, Seattle's frustrating defense turned a corner and began to be the strength of the team. In 2023, the Seahawks' Achilles heel was defending the run, as that team surrendered the second-most rushing yards in the league, with 2,352.

In 2024, Seattle's run defense tightened up, allowing 300 fewer rushing yards and 13 fewer rushing touchdowns. In fact, almost every major statistic immediately improved from 2023 to 2024. Seattle allowed 329 fewer passing yards, gave up nine fewer explosive plays, and allowed three fewer points per game in 2024.

And Seattle's pass rushers generated pressure at a very high clip, but failed to make it home with sacks. Seattle actually finished with two fewer sacks in 2024 than they did in 2023, even if it didn't feel like it. The main problem was finishing pressures into sacks. And I can think of an upcoming free agent who can alleviate that problem.

Khalil Mack could make a good Seahawks defense great

33-year-old Khalil Mack, in the midst of his Hall of Fame career, appears to be done in Los Angeles after three years with the Chargers. In those three years, Mack accumulated 31 sacks, nine forced fumbles, 21 pass breakups., and 31.5 stuffs. In fact, in 2023, well after his defensive player of the year accolades, Mack set his own personal sack record with 17.

Mack shows no sign of slowing down as he fully intends to play the 2025 season, which would be his 12th in the NFL. He continues to be violent as a pass rusher, but over the past few seasons, Mack has shown the ability to adapt and become more of a dynamic pass rusher. Mack has shown an element of finesse, as opposed to brute violence, as he has gotten older, which has led to his sudden resurgence late in his career.

Seattle, which may have a gap to fill in the pass rush department this offseason, as both Uchenna Nwosu and Dre'mont Jones could be cap casualties, should seriously consider calling Mack's agent. Premium pass rushers are hard to come by, especially one as proven and reliable as Khalil Mack.

In 2024, Mack finished with 15 QB hits, six sacks, and a ridiculous 90.4 Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grade in 16 games. He would provide an instant spark opposite Boye Mafe.

However, Mack is not just a pass-rush specialist. Mack is a force against the run, an area Seattle has improved on but could certainly use some help with. According to PFF, Mack earned an 88.0 run defense grade, which ranked second out of 211 edge rushers. Mack recorded 23 stops (a tackle made at or near the line of scrimmage) in 2024, as he showed he remains one of the best defenders in the league.

The former Defensive Player of the Year has also been named to eight Pro Bowls, only missing one since 2015, and has earned three First-Team All-Pro selections. Khalil Mack will be an instant upgrade for whichever team wins the bid for his services this off-season. And while Seattle doesn't typically get up for the splashy free agent signings, Mack should certainly be an exception.

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