As the days tick down to the start of free agency, the Seattle Seahawks are pulling off some surprising moves that have left fans scratching their heads. Let’s break down what’s going on, starting with the decision to part ways with Tyler Lockett, a veteran wide receiver and a fan favorite. It’s a move that makes some sense—Lockett is getting up there in age and brings a hefty price tag, with his role inevitably diminishing as time goes on.
But then we look at what else has unfolded, and things get perplexing. Trading away Geno Smith, who many consider to be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league, raises more questions than it answers. For a team that’s still trying to find its footing, letting go of a reliable signal-caller feels like a misstep. Are the Seahawks really considering filling that void with Sam Darnold? That’s quite a gamble, especially when you factor in that he doesn’t come with the same supporting cast that helped him thrive last season in Minnesota.
Then there’s the curious case of DK Metcalf. Sending him to the Pittsburgh Steelers is another puzzling piece of this puzzle, and while these transactions bring in additional draft picks—a second-rounder for Metcalf and a third for Smith—it’s hard to ignore the underlying challenges. This year’s quarterback draft class isn’t exactly a gold mine, and sitting at the No. 18 pick doesn’t make the path to snagging a top prospect like Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders any easier. The Seahawks might need to pull off a significant trade to even get into the conversation for those talents, which complicates their strategy even further.
Now, let’s take a step back and consider the broader implications. This is a franchise that just finished an impressive 10-7 season and, remarkably, was the only team in the league to achieve that record and still miss the playoffs due to tie-breakers. Geno Smith, despite playing behind a shaky offensive line, managed to keep the Seahawks competitive, putting up numbers that helped keep them in the playoff conversation until the end. That offensive line, while struggling, also has young talent in the backfield with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, promising components that could be developed further.
So, what’s next for the Seahawks? At this rate, it feels like a complete overhaul is in the works. With the current trajectory, no player seems untouchable, leading to a sense of uncertainty among the fanbase. Heading into this offseason, the foundation for a potential NFC West title run was there, but instead of doubling down on improving the offensive line and adding defensive pieces, it feels like they’re breaking things that don’t need fixing. This approach questions their readiness to compete in the near future, as the organization risks moving further away from contention in a bid to reset.
Ultimately, as the free agency frenzy looms, Seahawks fans are left hoping that there’s a grand design behind these moves. If not, it could be a long road ahead for a team that had so much promise.
