This is both an opportunity for the Seahawks and a situation that could put real pressure on GM John Schneider.
Let’s start with the opportunity.
For a long time now — too long, arguably — the Seahawks have talked about a desire to create a certain type of football team. They want to win in the trenches, run the football, play great defense. What they actually produced was a roster almost entirely reliant on finesse — quarterbacks and receivers — with little in the way of defensive quality or any degree of competency up front.
A shift has certainly occurred on defense. Last year they gradually turned into a much better unit under Mike Macdonald. The defensive line in particular produced results. There were promising signs.
The offense however was a disaster. The running game was as bad as it’s ever been, flailing behind an offensive line totally incapable of protecting the quarterback or creating running lanes. Whether it was talent, scheme or execution — nothing worked.
It’s clear for all to see that changes were necessary. A new offensive staff has been installed but everyone — the coaches, the fans, probably the owners too — need to see additions. Having adequately upgraded the D-line over the last couple of years, now it’s time to do the same with the O-line.
They have about $29m in effective cap space to spend. Trading DK Metcalf adds $10.8m more to the kitty. They have a fortune available in 2026 to tap into. They will add significantly more if they also re-sign Geno Smith to an extension. They’ll have the funds to be players in free agency. They need to go out and land a key addition. It needs to be done.
As I wrote earlier, the #1 priority should be Will Fries of the Indianapolis Colts. They should also be in the mix for Drew Dalman. It might be an either/or situation with these two players — but if you’re serious about fixing your offensive line, sometimes you’ve just got to make things happen.
Trading Metcalf would also produce further draft stock to aid your O-line upgrade.
This is a big opportunity to finally be a trenches-based team. To further shift resources, as they have been doing, away from positions like receiver, safety and linebacker and put most of your investment in the lines.
Yes, you can still go out and re-sign Ernest Jones. You’ll also need to replace Metcalf. It’s not about ignoring other positions. However, not paying a receiver $30m a year, adding stock and reinforcing your lines is the only way to become the team you say you want to be.
Now on to the challenge facing Schneider and the pressure he will face.
Fans have grown weary of Seattle’s ongoing problems with the offensive line and the excuses, rather than ownership, for not creating a better line. Even the most compelling excuse will fall on deaf ears if solutions are not found. The Seahawks simply have to find them this off-season.
If they fail in free agency next week, when the better linemen are available, there’s a danger things become toxic. Questions will be rightly asked about Schneider’s ability to fix the problem and whether he’s the right man to drive this thing forwards. Having to get a great deal for DK Metcalf at the same time is a heck of a proposition.
The optics of whiffing in free agency and then getting a lesser deal for Metcalf could be defining. Let’s not forget the team still faces uncertainty with Geno Smith’s contract too.
Alternatively, get at least a reasonable haul for Metcalf and sign one or two key additions for your offensive line next week and this could start to feel like a transformational off-season. The first steps towards crafting the vision Mike Macdonald has laid out.
It’s a huge week for the Seahawks. Potentially, a defining week.
The only team to be linked to Metcalf so far is the Chargers, which isn’t a good sign. A robust market will be required to get great value in a trade.
It’s difficult to work out what a good deal looks like. Ideally it’s a first round pick for a player who is still young (27), is physically unique and has name-recognition working in his favour. Any owner or GM wanting (or needing) to make a splash can do so here.
There are also teams badly in need of a top receiver picking at the top of round two. That said, Metcalf has seemingly made it clear he would prefer to go to a contender. Of course, that’s not his choice. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
I would be hesitant to do a deal that doesn’t include, as a starting point, a pick between #21 and #45. The later you go into round two, the more you would require as extras.
Gaining one or two more picks in the top-100 of this draft would be a good return. What it lacks in clear blue-chip talent early on, this class makes up for in depth.
There are also good receivers available so replacing Metcalf is possible. Keep an eye on Emeka Egbuka. He is a huge Seahawks fan from Tacoma but also a highly respected, mature leader. He’s all business and exactly the type of player who fits the Kubiak system and the character profile Seattle is looking for. He would need to be a high pick. I do think he’s a more likely high-pick target for this team specifically than the others touted for the top-40. The Seahawks have a clearly defined ‘type’ of person they want to draft and Egbuka fits the bill.
Jaylin Noel and Jack Bech would be two excellent options in round two while Tai Felton, Jayden Higgins, Tory Horton, Kyle Williams and Jaylin Lane (among others) could appeal.
An extra high pick, particularly if it’s between #21-45, could also position the Seahawks to get their ‘pick of the bunch’ at quarterback if they’re so inclined, without having to wait to #50. I do think we could see a rush on the position at some point in the second round. They might not want to leave things to chance in the second half of round two.
Alternatively you can just keep adding good players. Yesterday I mocked Donovan Ezeiruaku at #18 to the Seahawks because he very much fits their preferred profile. Acquiring the best possible talent has worked for Seattle in recent years. They’ll feel very comfortable doing that again, provided they can address their O-line need next week.
They could add receivers in free agency too. Earlier today I touted Elijah Moore as a reclamation project, while Marquez Valdez-Scantling played well for Kubiak in New Orleans. Dyami Brown could be an interesting name to watch. Ditto Josh Palmer.
The immediate priority though is the O-line, remaking the identity of the team and coming out of the developing Metcalf saga with a good deal.
Over to you, John.
We’ll do a live stream at 3pm PT to discuss this further.
