We can quibble over whether the Seattle Seahawks had the best roster in the NFL in 2025. The fact that they won the Super Bowl would be a pretty good argument on their behalf, but I suppose it isn’t always the case that the best roster wins in the end. There is chance involved. That “any given Sunday…” thing does have some relevance. Just ask the 2007 New England Patriots.
One of the things general manager John Schneider does better than anyone in the league is build a complete roster. Of course, some positions will be stronger than others, but given time, Schneider has proven her can put together deep position groups… that have no obvious holes. That is one of the main reasons the Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last season.
But every year is new, and successful rosters are going to be cherry-picked by the rest of the league during the offseason. So as we prepare for training camp in 2026, the question is this. Is Seattle’s roster better, worse, or the same as the 2025 championship version?
Is the Seattle Seahawks offense better or worse entering the 2026 season?
We’ll explore the topic one position group at a time.
Offensive line
At this point, Seattle’s five projected starters on the offensive line are the players who started in the Super Bowl. Indeed, they started most of the season. That is one of the forgotten keys to success from 2025. Offensive lines that can play together over an extended stretch usually become very sound units, even if their individual talent may lag.
The fact that Charles Cross, Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, Anthony Bradford, and Abraham Lucas all return might suggest that this unit will fall into the “same” category for these rankings. I’d argue there should be slight improvement.
That comes from Zabel and Sundell having a full year under their belts. Neither was sensational last year, but both were effective. I would not expect any regression. On the contrary, I would expect them to be better – especially Zabel.
Bradford may be challenged, although I have a feeling that story is being overblown. Schneider needs a new right guard for 2027, when Bradford may well depart via free agency. Rookie Beau Stephens should get this year to acclimate to the NFL.
Perhaps he will play a major role in 2026… perhaps not. Assuming super-sub Josh Jones returns to full health, the Seahawks’ line should be slightly better than last year.
Decision: Slightly improved
Tight ends
As with the line, all of the major players figure to return this year. A.J. Barner has exceeded expectations in his first two seasons, proving to be a more reliable pass catcher than had been projected. Barner, along with depth pieces Eric Saubert and Nick Kallerup, are all punishing blockers.
The real chance for growth comes in the form of Elijah Arroyo. After missing the tail end of his rookie season, Arroyo is hoping to supply a more dangerous downfield receiving threat in 2026. The jury is still out on how good he will be, but the upside is real.
Decision: slightly improved, upgraded to major improvement if Arroyo plays well
Wide receivers
The tricky thing about rating the Seahawks receivers grows out of the fact that Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a virtual one-man show last year. No team in the league relied on a single pass catcher to the extent that Seattle did. Since JSN will be back in 2026, this would suggest that the receiver room should be at least as good as last year, and perhaps better if one or two other players step up.
I am concerned, however. JSN is not taking anyone by surprise this year. NFL defenses will have had an entire offseason to figure out ways to stop him. The Rams, who clearly believe they are a couple of plays away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy themselves, upgraded specifically at cornerback and edge rusher largely to stop Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Seattle needs more options to offset the increased attention JSN will draw. So the question is: will a full offseason with Rashid Shaheed and the return of a healthy Tory Horton give the Seahawks what they need? I’m ever so slightly, cautiously optimistic.
Decision: the same
Running backs
My biggest fear for 2026 is that Seahawks’ fans will finally have to recognize just how important Kenneth Walker III was to this offense. The legions who opined that Zach Charbonnet was every bit Walker’s equal at the beginning of last year missed the fundamental fact that a very fast, powerful runner affects a defense far more than a moderately fast, powerful runner.
Charbonnet should be OK this year, and if he is slow to return from injury, Emanuel Wilson can help pick up the slack. But who takes Walker’s role as the home run hitter who keeps opposing defenses on their heels? Obviously, it has to be Jadarian Price. Can he do it? I have no idea. That, all by itself, is a problem.
Decision: significantly worse
Quarterback
We have almost taken for granted that Sam Darnold achieved so much last season despite playing for a new team – with new teammates and a new system – for the fourth time in the last four years. The speed with which he picked up the offense and became the team leader is astonishing.
We should expect to see an even better Darnold this year. It’s hard to imagine his rapport with Smith-Njigba improving, but his timing with the other receivers –especially with Shaheed – should move forward. With a steady backup in Drew Lock and the still-developing talent of Jalen Milroe providing depth, the quarterback room looks good.
The only dark cloud comes from the absence of Klint Kubiak. QBs and offensive coordinators have a special bond. If Darnold doesn’t develop the same level of trust with Brian Fleury, his play could suffer. But I am betting on them figuring it out this summer. Therefore…
Decision: slightly improved
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