Before getting into today’s article be sure to check out my stream with Jeff Simmons below discussing the appointment of Klint Kubiak and other topics:

What’s next for the Seahawks under Klint Kubiak?

There are two key things that will shape Seattle’s off-season, both relating to the offense.

1. What do they do at quarterback

2. How do they fix the offensive line?

The quarterback situation is the next big domino to fall. As ESPN’s Brady Henderson noted yesterday:

With their coordinator in place, the next big question for the Seahawks’ offense is the future of (Geno) Smith. The 34-year-old quarterback is seeking an extension as he enters the final year of his contract, and it’s not a given that the two sides will be able to agree to one.

The Seahawks are not going to live with a $44.5m cap-hit for Geno Smith. Equally, they are not going to give him a significant contract extension that guarantees a lot more money and guaranteed term. On the other hand, I suspect this is exactly the kind of commitment Smith is looking for.

I get the sense we’re in the early stages of a game. Both sides will use brinkmanship to try and gain leverage. Yet really, they’re likely just indulging in a slow dance until a deadline of sorts arrives, likely at the combine, where they can get around a table and create some clarity.

Is either party willing to compromise and to what extent? Can common ground be discovered? At the moment, I’m guessing it’s too hard to predict. Thus, anything could happen. A parting or a new deal.

Whatever happens though will shape the success of the Kubiak’s spell in Seattle. If they move on from Smith, it won’t be fair to ask Kubiak to perform miracles with bad quarterbacks. They need to provide him with something to work with.

That could be Sam Darnold, who Kubiak worked with in 2023. It could be Kirk Cousins, another player he worked with in Minnesota. Or it could be Geno Smith — and I still think it’s in his best interests to compromise and retain his bridge position in Seattle, rather than force his way out. For that reason, I think a compromise probably will happen. However, Pete Carroll’s arrival in Las Vegas could give him an alternative to use as leverage.

A veteran will be required though, with the potential to draft a rookie too. I think there’s some possibility they view Jaxson Dart as a fit. They could just go the day three route with someone like Tyler Shough or Will Howard. But I still think there could be a level of intrigue in Quinn Ewers, as much as some people will hate to read that.

Maybe my reading of the situation is wrong but I just get a sense that John Schneider has been intrigued by Ewers’ talent for some time. He had an underwhelming 2024 season after suffering injuries to his ankle and abdomen. That could lead him to last a big longer than he otherwise did on draft day. If he goes in the #50-80 range, Schneider might see it as worth a shot to develop Ewers — who does carry natural talent, even if he hasn’t shown it consistently enough (in part because of the continued injuries).

A final thought on this. I’ve been saying for a few weeks that Ewers’ best fit might be a Shanahan-style system. The Seahawks just appointed a coach from that tree. So while it might be a departure from Schneider’s typical ‘big, strong-armed, athletic’ preference at the position — he might be prepared to see if Ewers can become Seattle’s answer to Brock Purdy (just with a little less mobility and a better arm).

As for the offensive line, I had a look at New Orleans’ splits in 2024. The snaps are weighted strongly towards a preference for zone blocking, with 64.1% in zone.

I’ve said a few times I’d like to see more of a gap-heavy scheme, with Sean McVay adjusting his system because teams were adapting and finding ways to impact LA’s offense.

Nevertheless — I’m not that weighted to the idea, provided the Seahawks can become an effective zone-blocking unit. Charles Cross, Abe Lucas and Sataoa Laumea appear suited to the system. Bringing in quality zone blockers and executing at a higher level is still a reasonable plan.

It’s why I wrote recently about targeting Atlanta’s talented center Drew Dalman in free agency. He’s an ideal fit for a zone scheme. James Daniels, before his injury, was excelling as a zone blocker in Pittsburgh. Will Fries had a 91.2 grade as a zone blocker in 2024. Mekhi Becton surprisingly had higher grades in zone vs gap this season. So there are some options set to reach free agency.

Recently we identified the players performing well in zone eligible for the draft. Wyatt Milum, Armand Membou, Jack Nelson and Grey Zabel all performed very well in the system and all four players are competing at the Senior Bowl this week. Keep an eye on them.

Senior Bowl measurements

You can find all of the measurements via the Senior Bowl X timeline. Here are my takeaways:

— Darius Alexander the Toledo defensive lineman has 34-inch arms. He could be a big performer this week. There’s a lot of splash on tape.

— Iowa’s Yahya Black on the other hand isn’t the splashiest player but he does a very solid, consistent job working the interior. At 6-5, 337lbs and with 35-inch arms, he’s one to watch in the middle rounds.

— Josh Conerly Jr’s size and length was a question mark, pertaining to his ability to stay at left tackle. He doesn’t have ideal height for the position (6-4) but at 313lbs with 34-inch arms, that’s reassuring for teams.

— Jaxson Dart has good size at a shade under 6-2, 226lbs with 9 1/2 inch hands. This is the kind of profile teams will be comfortable with. Dillon Gabriel, at 5-10, 200lbs and nine-inch hands, is at the other end of the scale. It’s also strange that for a quarterback who is 6-3 and 213lbs, Seth Henigan only has 8 7/8 inch hands. Jalen Milroe’s 8 6/8 inch hands are an alarm bell. Tyler Shough has the best frame of all the quarterbacks. He will get buzz in Mobile and would make for a quality, cost-effective backup with a chance to be developed (even if he turns 26 this year).

— Tez Johnson at Oregon is extremely small and light at 5-9 and 156lbs.

— Cody Lindenberg is a great athlete at linebacker and measuring 6-2, 239lbs with 33-inch arms adds to the intrigue he carries.

— I’m not sure many teams will view Armand Membou as a tackle at 6-3 and 332lbs. He does have 34-inch arms though and his testing at the combine will go through the roof. Wyatt Milum is 6-5, 315lbs with massive 10 2/8 inch hands. For me this is perfectly acceptable at guard or center — and his lack of great feet was always going to force him inside. Grey Zabel is in the same place with his size and length. As much as I want to see him finish blocks a bit more, Jonah Savaiinaea’s frame — 6-3, 339lbs, 34 5/8 inch arms — is very appealing for an interior lineman convert.

— Devin Neal is 5-10, 220lbs and both explosive and agile. The ideal runner.

— Walter Nolen (33 inches) and TJ Sanders (33 5/8) both get the all important +33 inch arm measurement for interior defenders.

— Donovan Ezeiruaku, Shemart Stewart and Prince Umanmielen have terrific size and length. Meanwhile Deone Walker is 6-7, 340lbs with 34 5/8 inch arms. It’s great size — but his tape was underwhelming in 2024. Testing with that bulk will make or break his stock.