New Regime in Seattle

Football season is now upon us! As my timeline fills with training camp highlights, and lowlights, I am one again ready to be hurt again by the Seattle Seahawks. This season, a new regime begins in the Emerald City. Super Bowl winning coach Pete Caroll is out and Mike Macdonald, former Defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, is in at head coach. While they are still looking to start fresh, they have decided to stick with a defensive minded coach in Macdonald. Now don’t get me wrong, I trust the moves John Schnider, General Manager, is making in the Seattle front office, but as much as I have tried to stay positive, there will always be tough moments for a first time head coach. Personally, going into this season I foresee a lot of the same mistakes happening and keeping Seattle on the wrong side and missing the playoffs. Also, I thought it was odd that they have transitioned Carroll into a front office role and didn’t just rip the bandaid off clean. 

With Week 1 this weekend, I do have some hope for the Seahawks, but I think certain factors need to be addressed. First, I wasn’t originally fond of Seattle drafting Byron Murphy II from Texas. After viciously watching some of his tape, and reading more about his play style, I do see a future with him and current Seahwak Leonard Williams being a lethal duo on the defensive line. Continuing with the defense, Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, Devon Weatherspoon could be the new generation of the Legion of Boom. I understand that might be a hyperbole statement because the original Legion of Boom, constructed of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Byron Maxwell, Brandon Browner, and Walter Thurmond, were considered as one of the best defense cores of all time. These new young players have a high standard to meet and I believe with experience we have a chance to build up the defensive side of the ball. Having Macdonald work his magic like he did in Baltimore may prove to be the difference between making and missing the playoffs. 

On the offensive side of the ball, a big thing that needs to happen is Geno Smith has to continue to be efficient and grow as one of the leaders of the team. He has changed his career arc after a rocky start in New York and San Diego, but he has many pass catchers ready to step up and continue to grow the offense. Geno is 18-17 so far in his Seattle tenure and will need to take the next step if he is determined to be the guy for the next few years. Could we see a new version of Geno Smith in a new type of system under the MacDonald regime? Only time will tell for this unanswered question. If Geno is unable to take this roster to the next level, things could get drastic for him and he will lose his starting job to former Commander quarterback Sam Howell. Howell, a former North Carolina Tarheel, had big potential at the start of the 2023 season, but was unable to make any real strides in Washington behind an abysmal O-line. I am not sure how to feel with Howell as the backup quarterback, but we will see how he performs through training camp to spark the QB debate. When all is said and done, my prediction for the Seahawks in the 2024 season is 9-8 and falling just short of a playoff appearance for a second straight year. I believe in Macdonald, but I know the more hopium I have, the worse the pain will get.