The Seattle Seahawks need to hit the reset button after a dismal Week 3 loss to the Commanders. Yes, there were still some alphas in the lineup, but others are losing their grip heading into Week 4 against the Chargers.
It isn't all gloom and doom in Seattle. That reminds me, I gotta get tickets for Doomsday; we'll already have to wait until the second week of shows. And speaking of waiting, the Seahawks can't afford to wait another week to set things right. They have issues to address in all three phases of the game.
The running game was non-existent against the Commanders. With Jadarian Price already ruled out for Week 4, that isn't likely to improve. The defense struggled in key moments, but the return of Julian Love should go a long way toward resolving that issue. Still, Seattle needs more alphas in this game, and a few more guys to get a firm grip on their jobs.
The Seahawks saw several shakeups in the trust index
The alphas
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
You can't keep a good man down. Or out of the end zone, apparently. JSN is on pace to lead the league in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns. He keeps setting records and shows no signs of slowing his pace. JSN will be the first to say (in fact, he always is) that the only record that matters to him is the W in the box score. That's why he's an alpha, without question.
Leonard Williams, DT
Week in and week out, Leonard Williams makes things happen. For the opposition, those are very bad things. Week 3 was no exception, as he hit the trifecta with three hurries, two quarterback hits, and a sack. For most defensive tackles, that's good production for a month. For Williams, it's simply another day at the office.
The mainstays
Byron Murphy, DT
If you move Seattle's third-year phenom up to alpha status, you'll get no argument from me. A casual observer might think, "What's the big deal? He has eleven tackles, one for a loss, and just one QB hit. The guy doesn't even have a sack." 12s know that his role is to free up everyone else on the line to make the play, as he routinely draws double teams. Murphy's presence makes this D-line elite.
Sam Darnold, QB
It wasn't Sam Darnold's best game ever, that's for sure. Both of his interceptions badly hurt Seattle's chances against Washington, especially that pick-six. But it's hard to ignore those four touchdown passes, too. Darnold will always have his detractors, no matter what. I believe he's an odds-on favorite to move up to alpha status after Week 4.
The fast risers
Eric Saubert, TE
Listen, when a guy scores the first receiving touchdown of the season by a Seahawks tight end and his name isn't AJ Barner, he's on the rise. It was just the fourth touchdown catch of his 10-year career. Saubert may not catch many passes, but he certainly makes every one count. I wouldn't be surprised to see him continue his rise as one of Seattle's unsung heroes.
Tory Horton, WR
The second-year receiver is rounding into shape after he missed the last nine games of 2025. He hasn't earned a start yet, but he's earned more playing time. He only had 15 snaps versus the Commanders, but caught all three of his targets. His 48 yards moved the chains for the Seahawks every time. He's returned one kickoff for 29 yards. He needs more chances, and he needs them now.
The proving ground
Josh Jobe, CB
Another week and another mediocre performance by Jobe. He allowed three completions on four targets, including a 30-yard strike to Terry McLaurin, on which Jobe lost track of the ball and the receiver's position. When you allow a passer rating of 152.1, that's not good. It may indeed be time to see what Trevon Diggs can do.
Jadarian Price, RB
Considering that Price won't play against the Chargers, it may be a bit unfair to list him here. He won't be able to prove himself this week. And he only had five carries versus Washington; not exactly a great sample size. But when you fumble twice in just 28 attempts, yes, you need to prove you can be successful. I absolutely believe he'll do that, but he'll have to wait at least another week to do it.
The slipping grip
Rashid Shaheed, WR
For the third option at wide receiver, he isn't doing much, is he? Sure, JSN is getting the lion's share of looks, and rightly so. Until someone stops him, he's going to continue to see the ball. But Shaheed has been targeted 12 times, the same as TE AJ Barner, and two more than Cooper Kupp. Barner has eight catches for 90 yards, while Kupp has eight for 101.
Shaheed, the field stretcher, has just six catches for 53 yards. George Holani has the same number of catches and 50 yards. When you're barely outpacing a running back and you're supposed to be the speed guy, there's a major issue. Add that he's dropped off considerably in the return game, and it's time for Shaheed to prove he belongs where he is on the depth chart.
Jay Harbaugh, special teams coach
There were a lot of questions after Harbaugh's first season as the Seahawks' special teams coach. Most of those were similar to, "Is there any reason he got this job other than his last name?" Well, last year he showed that he clearly was the right guy. So far this season, the kickoff coverage ranks 30th, compared to fourth last year. As Macdonald said in his Monday presser, it's not good enough.
AJ Finley, S
Oof. The defensive lapses last week certainly weren't all Finley's fault. The edge rushers should have gotten more pressure against Marcus Mariota, and Josh Jobe just got lost too often. But Finley was late to the ball too often himself and cost the Seahawks 15 yards on a personal foul penalty. Was it a cheap call? Maybe, but he shouldn't have been in that position. He won't be, as Love will be back.
The afterthoughts
Dante Fowler, DE
Crickets, man. Crickets. Per Pro Football Focus, Fowler hasn't registered a single statistic over 39 snaps in three games. He might as well be a healthy scratch every week, for all he contributes. Which is virtually nothing.
He was supposed to replace Boye Mafe, who's killing it for the Bengals now. Mafe wasn't doing that in 2025, but he did have five pressures through Week 3. Fowler: nothing.
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