The 2025 Seattle Seahawks will not look like they have in recent previous seasons. The trade of Russell Wilson that happened in 2022 feels like centuries ago. This offseason, Seattle traded their latest QB1, Geno Smith, so once again, Seattle is starting over at the position. But Smith wasn't the only massive trade the team made.
Within three days, Seattle had moved on from Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf requested to be traded, and the Seahawks honored that. The team shipped the receiver to a team with no known quarterback next year that plays in consistently colder conditions than even Seattle. You're welcome, Metcalf.
To be clear, though, general manager John Schneider never intended to go into this offseason thinking, "I am going to completely blow up the offense." Smith and Metcalf's unhappiness led directly to the changes. If anything, Schneider proved he suffers no fools. When someone wants out, they will be gone.
ESPN confirms that Seahawks general manager John Schneider did not want to trade Geno Smith and DK Metcalf
Seahawks reporter Brady Henderson recently confirmed in an ESPN article that had Metcalf and Smith not voiced their opinions, the offensive personnel might look pretty much the same next season. Henderson wrote straightforwardly, "The Seahawks' goals changed quite a bit right before free agency with the Smith and Metcalf trades, neither of which was part of their Plan A going into March."
Schneider has done a pretty good job (at least, in theory) of taking a bad situation and making it more palatable for Seahawks fans. Smith is gone, but top free-agent quarterback target Sam Darnold was added. Metcalf is gone, but Cooper Kupp was signed to partially take his place. Seattle might be less explosive offensively in the future, but more efficient.
That is, of course, if Schneider can address the offense's (and the team's) most glaring issue, which is, as all 12s know, the offensive line. Most of the same pieces remain, but veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson is gone. In other words, Seattle's offensive line looks even worse as the group is currently structured.
Perhaps Schneider will spend some of the money saved (and make no bones about it; Schneider made a lot of cap room in the moves that were made the week ahead of free agency) on a free-agent guard or two. Or maybe the plan is to draft an interior offensive lineman or three. Seahawks fans have to believe there is some kind of plan to help the O-line.
If there is a plan, then that was likely all part of Plan A. When Plan B came into effect, the changes were to replace Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Smith. The offensive line always needed to be addressed, and there should have been a Plan A. If the unit is not somewhat fixed, the additions of Kupp and Darnold will not matter.