General manager John Schneider is not afraid to make moves that he thinks will make the Seattle Seahawks better. Not all of the moves work out, of course, but sometimes risks are worth taking. This offseason might be a good one to take a big swing at something that can get the team to the playoffs.
The NFC West is not going to be easy. Last year, Seattle tied with the Los Angeles Rams at 10-7 in the division rankings, but LA held most of the tie-break situations. While the Rams made the playoffs, the Seahawks sat home.
This coming season could be another close one. The San Francisco 49ers should be better simply because they are probably going to be healthier. The Arizona Cardinals have been accumulating talent and should be ready to start improving. Any team in the NFC West is capable of winning the division.
Seahawks should make a play for Trey Hendrickson or TJ Watt
One way of making the Seahawks roster better is by working a trade for a player who might be unhappy on his current team. Two are worth inquiring about: The Pittsburgh Steelers' edge rusher TJ Watt and the Cincinnati Bengals' edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Both are unhappy that they have not been offered a contract extension with numbers they like. And both are holding out of their team's minicamps.
The Bengals are notoriously cheap, but did pay wide receiver Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase this offseason. Maybe they don't have the money left to give Hendrickson what he wants. The edge rusher has had back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks, and he rightfully wants to get paid high dollars.
The same holds with Watt. He has had at least 11.5 sacks in six of the last seven seasons, and is very good against the run, too. Watt and Hendrickson are each 30 years old, so maybe they are getting to the age where their teams don't want to risk paying a lot for a player who might not be available due to injuries.
The Seahawks should help relieve the ongoing drama for either the Steelers or the Bengals. What would it take to get either? Likely, a lot. As part of any deal, Seattle could offer edge rusher Boye Mafe, who is only 26 years old and entering the final season of his rookie contract.
Seattle would also have to pony up a high-round draft choice. The assumption is a first-round selection in 2026. The Seahawks should not offer more than one first-round pick for a 30-year-old player, however.
Still, there is little doubt that a healthy Watt or Hendrickson would be a fantastic fit in head coach Mike Macdonald's system and augment Seattle's improving defense. Enough to get the Seahawks to the playoffs and win a game or more once there? Maybe, but Hendrickson or Watt are worth taking a chance on.