Are the Seahawks Contenders or Pretenders?
The 2025 Seahawks are Seattle’s best team in years. The defense is full of young talent and is firing on all cylinders. The offense is led by a record-breaking receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has propelled the team to 8-3 through Week 12. Seattle holds a playoff spot if the season ended today and is fighting for the NFC West lead with the Rams, but how far can this team go? Are they true Super Bowl contenders, or are they just pretenders?
The driving force behind this season for the Seahawks has been Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is on pace to break the record for most receiving yards in a season. While Smith-Njigba’s numbers are insane, they may not be enough to drive the Seahawks to a deep playoff run. The receiving numbers come despite the on-and-off play of quarterback Sam Darnold, who has struggled at several points throughout the season. Darnold has had an exceptional completion percentage and QBR, but has struggled with turnovers, tossing 10 interceptions and losing a fumble. This passing game is complemented by a rushing attack that sits dead in the middle of the league. While the Seahawks offense has had some very solid games this year, it’s very possible that they may not be built for a playoff run.
If there’s something that could save the Seahawks, it would be their defense. The unit currently allows the seventh fewest yards per game and has the second most sacks in the league. This unit has been dominant, but their Achilles heel has been injuries. The Seahawks have not played a single game this year at full strength, with major playmakers missing significant time. Ernest Jones IV, Devon Witherspoon, and Julian Love are just some of the names who have missed multiple games this year for Seattle. This defensive unit is special, but their inability to stay healthy could heavily complicate a playoff run. When healthy, this is a top-five defense in the NFL, but their lack of availability may really hurt them. This, partnered with the up-and-down offense, makes me hesitant to call the Seahawks true contenders. They are building something special in Seattle, but this is likely not their year.
