New Horizons in Seattle: A Preview of the 2025 Seattle Seahawks

Author’s note: This sports section has information as of August 15th. For Bush athletics updates, visit BushBlazersAthletics.com. For national sports, see ESPN.com.

Running back George Holani breaking free for the opening touchdown of the Seahawks' preseason

Introduction

As fans pack Lumen Field for a preseason game on August 7th, the atmosphere is not only amplified by the return of the beloved Seahawks but also by the opponent’s presence. The Seahawks are set to face the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that reminds them of a not-so-distant past. 

Pete Carroll has coached more than a hundred games in Seattle, but none on the opposing sideline. For 14 years, Carroll was the leader of the Seahawks organization, leading them to ten playoff appearances and a Super Bowl. Even after a somewhat disappointing 2023 season, Seahawks fans were shocked when the franchise moved on from the long-tenured and beloved coach. Eighteen months later, Carroll was coaching his first game for the Raiders, returning to Seattle for an away preseason game.

Past Seasons

The Seahawks' decision to move on from Carroll was a long time in the making. In 2024, only Tyler Lockett remained from the Seahawks’ 2014 Super Bowl-winning roster, and the team had struggled to replenish talent since that year. Carroll had substantial influence in the organization’s decision-making, and owner Jody Allen was looking to shift power away from the head coach and towards general manager John Schneider. In his final press conference, Carroll said, “It was John’s turn; he deserves this,” handing the keys over to his long-time colleague. Another motivation for the Seahawks was their struggles on defense, which was supposed to be Carroll’s coaching strength. As NFL offenses shifted the focus to explosive plays, Carroll’s aggressive coverage shells were getting increasingly exposed. The Seahawks had their eye on a much younger defensive mastermind who could shift the Seahawks’ identity to a more modern defensive scheme. In 2023, Mike Macdonald was the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, where he led the second-ranked defense in the last five years. Macdonald’s philosophy is predicated on complexity and disguise with simulated pressure and flexibility in coverage. The Seahawks hired Macdonald in 2024, with hopes of reviving a dormant defense. Under Macdonald, their defense jumped from the 29th-ranked unit in EPA/play in 2023 to the 11th-ranked unit in 2024. The Seahawks finished 10-7, the first team out of the playoff picture. 

Quarterback Sam Darnold at his introductory press conference, alongside Klint Kubiak (left) and Mike Macdonald (right) 

Offensive Changes

With an improved defense, the focus of the Seahawks' 2025 offseason became fixing the offense. First, the Seahawks quickly moved on from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, instead targeting Klint Kubiak. The Shanahan offensive scheme, which Kubiak will bring to Seattle, is focused on marrying a strong run game with passing and building a simple offense for the quarterback. After being hired, Kubiak said, “We want to have an identity that we can run the ball versus eight-man fronts. That’s something we’re going to stress to our guys early in the offseason, building our play-actions and moving the pocket off of that and trying to be a really good team on first and second down.” 

The most significant changes this offseason, however, came in the Seahawks' offensive personnel. In a blockbuster trade, Geno Smith was sent to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick, reuniting Smith with Pete Carroll, his former coach in Seattle. Less than a week later, star receiver DK Metcalf was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both Smith and Metcalf were demanding large contracts, and later got paid $75 million and $150 million, respectively. 

The Seahawks may have lost two great players, but they also saved enough money to make some moves. The Seahawks would sign former Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, who will become the Seahawks’ slot receiver. Kupp, a Washington native, reflected on playing for his hometown team in his introductory press conference: “It's a full-circle moment coming back and being able to throw on a Seattle Seahawks uniform.” The Seahawks then signed the best quarterback in free agency, Sam Darnold, to a three-year, $100 million contract. Darnold, a former top pick, broke out last season with the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to a surprise playoff berth. Macdonald raves about Darnold: “Sam’s our starting quarterback. We love him, he’s doing a tremendous job.” The Seahawks also signed edge rusher Dexter Lawrence and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who will fill key veteran roles.

Draft

In the draft, the Seahawks addressed their lackluster offensive line with their first pick, selecting guard Grey Zabel with the 18th pick. He will be a stalwart in Kubiak’s new-look offensive line. In the second round, they first used the pick from the Metcalf trade to select Nick Emmanwori, a versatile safety with elite athletic traits. They then took tight end Elijah Arroyo, a smooth route runner and big play threat. The Seahawks made the biggest surprise of their draft by taking quarterback Jalen Milroe with their third-round pick. Milroe has running abilities that rival the best in the NFL, but his accuracy, processing, and pocket presence have significant concerns. The Seahawks plan to have him as a backup to Darnold until he develops his passing ability.

Conclusion

There are doubts about the 2025 Seahawks. Darnold had his first good year in his seventh season, and there are serious concerns about his ability under pressure. The offensive line only received one new starter, Grey Zabel, and the Seahawks are putting a lot of trust in Kubiak to turn around one of the worst units in the league in 2024. Kupp is now 32 and is not the same threat to defenses that DK Metcalf was. The Seahawks' defense will likely need to carry the team as the offense finds its groove. However, the long-term future is bright for the Seahawks. They have a rookie quarterback in development, a young and spirited team, and a creative head coach. If all goes well, Seattle’s two-year playoff drought will end soon, and the Seahawks will return to being a Super Bowl contender, led by their defense.

With two key trades, a new coordinator, and an important free agency and draft, this offseason completely changed the Seahawks' short and long-term plans. While this season is Mike Macdonald’s second in Seattle, it feels as though this is his first with a team that embodies his identity, the remnants of the Carroll regime now gone. What’s left is a younger, more modern team built on defensive complexity and efficient offense, ready to usher in a new era of Seahawks football.