The Seattle Seahawks ended their 2024 season with a respectable 10-7 record under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. While the record reflects improvement and resilience, the outcome was bittersweet, as the team narrowly missed securing a playoff spot.
Given the expectations for a franchise with a storied history of postseason success, the season ultimately felt like a missed opportunity.
Several key players were unable to meet the lofty expectations set for them heading into the year. These underwhelming performances had a ripple effect on the team’s ability to perform in critical moments. Missed assignments, inconsistent execution, and a lack of impact in pivotal games contributed to the Seahawks falling short of their playoff aspirations, leaving fans and the organization questioning what might have been.
These Seattle Seahawks did not live up to expectations in the 2024 season
Despite the disappointment, the Seahawks can take valuable lessons from this season as they move forward. Addressing these shortcomings will be crucial for building a stronger, more consistent team in the future. Whether it’s through player development, strategic adjustments, or offseason acquisitions, the focus will be on ensuring that the team can meet and exceed expectations in the years to come. The foundation is there; now it’s about turning potential into postseason success.
DK Metcalf
The Seahawks boast an impressive array of offensive talent, but when a key contributor falls short of expectations, it can have a significant ripple effect on the team’s overall success. The 2024 season highlighted how individual struggles can undermine collective efforts, even for a team with high aspirations.
One prominent example is wide receiver DK Metcalf, who had a down year by his standards. Metcalf failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark, a benchmark he has consistently aimed to meet. While injuries sidelined him for portions of the season and an inconsistent offensive line disrupted Geno Smith’s ability to find his top target, the combination of circumstances led to a year that fell short of expectations.
Metcalf's physicality and talent remain undeniable, but his season didn’t have the impact many hoped for, leaving fans wanting more.
Despite the challenges, Metcalf’s struggles highlight areas where the Seahawks must improve moving forward. Whether it’s finding ways to keep their offensive line intact, creating opportunities for their star receiver, or avoiding prolonged absences due to injury, addressing these issues will be crucial. Metcalf has the tools to bounce back, and with the right adjustments, he could once again be a dominant force for Seattle in the seasons ahead.
Riq Woolen
One of the key objectives for the Seahawks under new head coach Mike Macdonald was to elevate the team’s defensive performance. Through strategic adjustments and player development, the defense made significant strides this season, improving in nearly every statistical category compared to the previous year. Macdonald's defensive mindset has laid a solid foundation for future success in Seattle.
However, not all defensive players lived up to expectations, including cornerback Riq Woolen. After an impressive rookie season that showcased his potential as a lockdown corner, Woolen struggled to replicate that same level of consistency in his third-year campaign.
There were moments where his coverage lapses and missed assignments raised concerns, culminating in an incident where he was benched at the start of a game due to a team misconduct issue. These challenges highlighted a season of growing pains for the young corner.
Despite his setbacks, Woolen remains a key piece of the Seahawks’ defensive puzzle. His raw talent and athleticism suggest that he has the potential to rebound and become a cornerstone player. Moving forward, refining his discipline on and off the field will be crucial. With the support of Macdonald’s coaching staff, Woolen has the opportunity to regain his form and contribute to a defense that could be elite in the years to come.
Kenneth Walker III
For years, the foundation of the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive success has been their dominant running game. A reliable ground attack not only sets the tone for the offense but also opens opportunities for the passing game.
However, this season, the Seahawks’ running game fell far short of expectations, becoming a glaring weakness that hindered the team's overall performance. At the forefront of these struggles was lead running back Kenneth Walker III, who failed to deliver the consistency that the offense desperately needed.
Walker’s season was plagued by multiple injuries, which undoubtedly impacted his ability to perform at his peak. While health issues may explain some of his struggles, his performance remained lackluster even when he was on the field. Walker frequently failed to gain significant yardage, often being stopped behind the line of scrimmage or failing to break through tackles.
This lack of effectiveness forced the Seahawks to rely heavily on their passing game, making the offense one-dimensional and easier for opponents to contain.
For the Seahawks to reestablish their identity as a balanced and potent offense, the running game must rebound next season. Whether that means Walker returning fully healthy and rejuvenated or the team bolstering the position with additional talent, improvements in the ground attack will be essential. Without a reliable rushing threat, Seattle’s offense will continue to face uphill battles, limiting its ability to compete at the highest level.
Dre'Mont Jones
The Seahawks' defense made significant strides this season, showing marked improvement under the leadership of new head coach Mike Macdonald. This much-improved unit played a pivotal role in helping Seattle achieve a respectable 10-7 record, even as the team fell short of its playoff aspirations. However, despite the collective progress, some defensive players failed to meet the high expectations set for them, leaving room for criticism and the need for further growth.
One notable example is defensive end Dre’Mont Jones. While Jones still managed to record four sacks on the season, his production in other areas took a noticeable dip, particularly in total tackles. Known for his ability to disrupt both the run and passing games, Jones’ decreased impact in those facets of play raised questions about his consistency and effectiveness.
Whether it was due to scheme adjustments, injuries, or simply an off-year, his performance did not align with what fans and analysts anticipated when he joined the Seahawks.
For Seattle to build on this season’s defensive progress, key contributors like Jones will need to elevate their play moving forward. The Seahawks have laid the foundation for a formidable defense, but sustained success will require every player to consistently perform at their best. A bounce-back season for Jones could be crucial in helping the team reach new heights in the years to come.
The Seahawks showed plenty of promise this season, finishing with a respectable 10-7 record and demonstrating improvement in several key areas, particularly on defense under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Fans have reasons to be optimistic about the team’s trajectory, as the foundation for future success appears to be in place. However, falling short of the playoffs remains a tough pill to swallow, especially given the team’s potential to compete at a higher level.
Several players failing to meet expectations played a significant role in the Seahawks’ inability to secure a postseason berth. Whether due to injuries, inconsistency, or underperformance, these shortcomings highlighted areas where the team must improve moving forward. With a strong core and room to grow, the Seahawks have an opportunity to address these challenges in the offseason and return as a more complete and competitive team next year.