The NFL Season is nearly upon us. The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9. Between now and then, we’ll be previewing all 32 NFL Teams along with playoff picks. One team will be previewed each day, beginning with the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks and ending with the New York Jets. Check back each day for the next installment!

The 2025 season was a dream for the Seahawks. The team made big changes, moving on from Geno Smith, D.K. Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, and bringing in Sam Darnold as the new franchise option. A year after leading the Vikings to 14 wins, Darnold pulled off the same trick with the Seahawks. Along the way, the team got great performances from the defense, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, and running back Kenneth Walker, who finished as the Super Bowl MVP.

This off-season, the Seahawks had some players at key positions leave, but mostly focused on keeping the core together. Will it lead to more success in 2026? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The biggest change for the Seahawks was in the backfield. Walker, who was a force in the playoffs and named the Super Bowl MVP, left in free agency. He landed a lucrative deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving a hole in the backfield. The Seahawks also lost some defensive depth with Boye Mafe, Tariq Wollen, and Coby Bryant all departing in free agency.

The Seahawks addressed the running back position in the draft, snagging Jadarian Price out of Notre Dame in the First Round. In three seasons with the Irish, playing alongside Jeremiyah Love, Price rushed for 1,692 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry. He figures to have a major role for the Seahawks to kick-start the season. The team also added former Packers’ running back Emmanuel Wilson to provide depth and brought back receiver Rashid Shaheed, who was a mid-season addition.

Defensively, the team snagged Bud Clark in the Second-Round to help bolster the secondary. The team also added veterans like Dante Fowler, Jr., and D’Anthony Bell to help provide depth and options.

Fantasy Impact

Darnold was solid if unspectacular in his first season. He finished as QB13, on the cusp of being a QB1. That’s probably his ceiling. I like him as a QB2 this year. The biggest question is the backfield. Walker is gone, but his running mate Zach Charbonnet is there. He was RB24 in 2025 and would be poised for a big role in 2026, but he’s recovering from an ACL torn in January. He’s likely not going to be available early in the season. That shifts the load to Price, possibly with Wilson helping out. I like Charbonnet as an RB2 when he’s back up and running, and he’s a hold in dynasty, but Price is probably the RB2 you want early in the season. Wilson is a handcuff, deep league flex potential.

In the passing game, the team retained its top pass-catchers JSN, Cooper Kupp, and Shaheed. JSN was the Offensive Player of the Year, finishing as WR2. I like him as a WR1 this year. Shaheed had moments but was inconsistent learning the new team, and Kupp is a solid veteran with low-end flex appeal. I think Shaheed could take a step forward into WR3 range in 2026. At tight end, while the team snagged Elijah Arroyo in the draft, it was A.J. Barner who took the position. He finished as TE14, and even caught a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He’s the TE you want, and I like him as a TE2.

Prediction

The Seahawks had a magical run in 2025, finishing as the No.1 seed in the NFC and winning the Super Bowl. I don’t expect a major fall off, but the competition in the NFC West hasn’t gotten worse. They will likely be in the mix for the division, and I suspect they will make a return to the playoffs even if they aren’t the favorites in the NFC this season.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.