The Seattle Seahawks are still the team to beat, but the odds may have shifted drastically after the recent events. Myles Garrett's arrival in the NFC West sent shockwaves through the league, and the Los Angeles Rams are probably the public's favorite to go the distance.
Having the best pass rusher of his generation in the division is obviously a headache, but head coach Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury will have most of the season to prepare, as they won't face the Rams until Week 16.
Considering that, Cleveland native and Seahawks tight end AJ Barner is more than confident in his team's ability to slow down Garrett. Speaking to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he gave the former Cleveland Browns' star his flowers, but also knew they'd have something special prepared for him.
Seattle Seahawks' Mike Macdonald is more than familiar with Myles Garrett
“For sure. You know, I grew up in Cleveland, so I’ve seen all the success that Myles has had and got a lot of respect for the player that he is,” Barner said. “When that game rolls around, I’m sure we’ll have a bunch of chip blocks for him and outside zone.”
Unlike most teams, the Seahawks may have a bit of an advantage against Garrett -- if there's such a thing. Mike Macdonald spent years with the Baltimore Ravens, and even though he was on the other side of game-planning, he had to deal with him twice a year.
The Seahawks' offensive line is sturdy, though it could be stronger in the interior. That's where guys like Barner will come in handy, as he said, with those chip blocks. Garrett is used to facing double teams and chip blocks weekly, but that might be the only way to neutralize him. Outside runs can also be efficient, as they will force the defense to keep an eye out for the play-action.
Dealing with a player of Garrett's caliber will be a team effort, but it's not like the Rams' pass rush wasn't elite last season. The Seahawks still had to deal with Byron Young and Jared Verse, so this isn't anything new.
Barner took a big leap as a blocker in his second year. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him a 74.6 blocking grade, a 67.6 run-blocking grade, and a 67.3 grade as a pass-protector. That was an improvement across the board from the 2024 season, and an encouraging sign ahead of two crucial matchups against the league's most-feared headhunter.
All in all, he allowed 6 pressures, including one sack.
At the end of the day, having the most stacked team doesn't always lead to a championship. It's all about execution, and the Seahawks have a finely oiled machine that works as a unit on both sides of the field. They can't rest on their laurels with Garrett in the division, but they should still like their chances against anybody.
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