To say it mildly, the Seattle Seahawks have had a notable offseason. Seattle moved on from true core players like quarterback Geno Smith, wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and edge rusher Dre'mont Jones.
They even uncharacteristically made some splash signings in free agency, giving multi-year deals to big names like quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence. We've heard hours of discourse on these moves.
Nearly all the media attention on Seattle has been covering those big-time moves. While it makes sense that those transactions would get the most attention, they're not the only things Seattle has done this offseason.
Three great moves the Seahawks made this offseason that no one is talking about
Those moves may not be as pivotal as some under-the-radar moves the Seahawks made this season. Here are three underrated moves Seattle made this offseason that nobody talks about.
Hiring John Benton and Rick Dennison to the offensive coaching staff
Some Seahawks fans may not even know Seattle hired these two. Most Seahawks fans won't even know who they are. But these two hirings may make a world of a difference this season on the offensive side of the ball.
Beginning with Benton, who was signed as the offensive line coach in February, Seattle finally put together some cohesion in the offensive coaching staff. Benton served as new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's offensive line coach last season in New Orleans, and has over thirty years of experience coaching in the league.
Benton served as an offensive line coach for Klint Kubiak's father, Gary Kubiak, in Houston for several years. Benton's cohesiveness and continuity for the Kubiak offense span decades, and following a disastrous offensive coaching dynamic in 2024, some familiarity is exactly what Seattle needed.
Rick Dennison, hired as the run game coordinator and senior offensive analyst for Seattle in February, also provided much-needed continuity to the coaching staff. Dennison also served on Klint Kubiak's staff last season in New Orleans and has decades of coaching experience.
Similarly to Benton, Dennison has a long history with the Kubiak family. For several years, Dennison served on the offensive coaching staff alongside John Benton for Gary Kubiak's Houston team. This collective familiarity and cohesion will hopefully bring consistency to the offense that lacked identity in 2024.
Re-signing DT Jarran Reed
Following the complete media storm that was that infamous week in March in which Seattle traded Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, the Seahawks quietly re-signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed. Reed, who turned 32 in December, is coming off a fantastic 2024 season. As a starting defensive tackle, primarily playing in the three-technique, Reed amassed 4.5 sacks, 45 total tackles, and a forced fumble last season.
Reed also serves as a veteran mentor playing next to young Byron Murphy II, who played very well in his opportunities in his rookie season. Reed, who Mike Macdonald described as the "OG leader" of the defensive line, will be entering his eighth season with the Seahawks after being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Reed played his first five seasons in the league with Seattle before a year in Kansas City, then another year in Green Bay.
Seattle brought Reed back in 2023, and for the last two seasons, Reed has been an anchor on a strong defensive line. Reed ate up blocks, serving as a catalyst for several other defensive players who have broken out, such as Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy, last season.
Retaining Jarran Reed on a 3-year contract worth $22 million was an excellent value move for the continuity of the team's strongest unit—the defensive line.
Re-signing LB Ernest Jones IV
Priority number one for Seattle this offseason was re-signing linebacker Ernest Jones IV, whom they traded for in 2024. Jones almost single-handedly turned the defense around after being acquired by Seattle from the Tennessee Titans last season. Only 25 years old, Jones should be a mainstay in the middle of the Seahawks' defense for the next decade.
The Seahawks took their time and made sure to stress out the entire fanbase, but eventually got the deal done with Jones on a three-year, $33 million contract. It was a stunningly cost-efficient contract for a player that made all the difference in the world on the defense last season.
Jones, who was a standout with the Los Angeles Rams from 2021-2023, found himself traded for the second time last season and hoped to find a long-term home in Seattle. Thankfully for all parties, they made it happen.
Jones will look to continue the stellar start to his Seattle career, following an insanely productive 2024 campaign. In only 10 games with Seattle last season, Jones notched 94 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up.
Maybe even more importantly, his style of play allowed rookie LB Tyrice Knight to flourish into a starting-caliber player. Jones is the perfect fit for Seattle's defense under Mike Macdonald, and wisely, Seattle didn't let him get away this offseason.