The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl this past season for many reasons: Mike Macdonald's defense was elite, quarterback Sam Darnold was brilliant when he needed to be, and the offensive line was better. That last part is what makes Pro Football Focus' recent article about potential 2026 draft mistakes so odd.
In an article about each NFC team's worst-case draft scenarios, PFF (subscription required) says general manager John Schneider's team would be making an error if the team doesn't "focus on protecting" the quarterback. That does not seem completely correct.
The Seahawks' offensive line was much better in 2025, and for two key reasons. One was that right tackle Abraham Lucas stayed healthy. The other was that rookie left guard Grey Zabel proved to be quite good as the season grew old.
Pro Football Focus believes the Seattle Seahawks still need offensive line help
Zabel allowed just two sacks all season, and both came in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams. After that game, the rookie allowed only one pressure in the next three games combined. He gave up zero pressures in seven games. Obviously, Zabel isn't going anywhere anytime soon (assuming Seattle picks up his fifth-year option in 2029).
Lucas isn't going anywhere, either. He was signed to an extension just before last season began, and is under contract through 2028.
Left tackle Charles Cross signed an extension in January, and he will be part of the team through at least 2030. That means three pieces of the Seahawks' offensive line are in place for at least the next three seasons, and likely beyond. Moreover, Cross, Zabel, and Lucas are all good.
Pro Football Focus could be arguing that the right guard needs to be upgraded. PFF might also say Jalen Sundell shouldn't be the long-term center, but Sundell's athleticism is a boon to the unit, as his experience playing next to Zabel in college and in the NFL.
Still, Anthony Bradford, entering the final year of his rookie deal, needs to be replaced or improve suddenly. The chance that John Schneider takes a right guard high in the 2026 draft is probably nonexistent, however. For once, the team has needs other than the offensive line, which is why PFF's Seattle complaint feels familiar, but is mistaken this year.
Instead of the offensive line being the main priority for seemingly the 100th straight year, the Seattle Seahawks need to find a new running back, edge rusher, or cornerback. All positions should have a valuable player waiting to be chosen by the team in rounds one or two. That is what Seattle truly needs to do.