NFL power rankings 2021: Previewing the Seattle Seahawks at No. 10 heading into training camp
The Seattle Seahawks almost hit a crisis point before the 2021 season even started.
Russell Wilson, the team’s franchise and one of the best quarterbacks in the league, nearly pushed himself out of town because of frustrations over the direction of the offense and the squad. No deal was ever made and both sides downplayed the situation in public for the most part, but the tension sparked questions about the Seahawks’ long-term plans and the effectiveness of head coach Pete Carroll’s approach to game management.
While Wilson stays in Seattle, other important parts of the team have left. The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to seemingly appease their quarterback and replaced him with Los Angeles Rams assistant Shane Waldron. The move has the potential to unleash Wilson and the passing game, but only if Carroll can resist the urge to pull the reins.
Record for 2020
12-4, 1st place in NFC West
2020 defense
Points: 23.6 points per game, ranked 16th
Yards: 5.4 yards per game, rank 10 (with 2 teams)
Ranking of football outsiders: 16.
Offense 2020
Points: 28.2 points per game, rank 7.
Yards: 5.7 yards per game, rank 12 (with 4 teams)
Ranking of football outsiders: 6.
Super bowl: +2500
AFC / NFC master: +1100
CLASSIFICATION: +275
Total profit: 10 (over +100, under -120)
Change in the off-season
Challenged by a disgruntled superstar quarterback to improve his pass protection, the Seahawks acquired veteran guard Gabe Jackson in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jackson’s arrival may not move the needle much in the fans’ eyes, but his presence should cement the inside of the offensive line. The team kept and added more guns around Wilson, re-signed lead running back Chris Carson, designed the wideout D’Wayne Eskridge in the second round, and signed tight end Gerald Everett in the free agency. Everett’s arrival makes a lot of sense, given his ties to Waldon from their time with the Rams.
But while the offensive added more talent than it lost, the defensive went the other way. Top cornerback Shaquill Griffin went on a lucrative contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars during free agency, and veteran linebacker KJ Wright remains without a contract after his contract expires. The Seahawks signed Ahkello Witherspoon and Pierre Desir in addition to Tre Brown to fill the void, but the defense looks weaker than it was in 2020.
Biggest question when entering the training camp
How much will Carroll’s antiquated approach to the offensive hinder Waldron’s game calls? While most offensive coaches who emerged from the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay system have paid more than lip service to the running game, they take this approach to preparing shots through game action. The Seahawks flourished in the first half of the 2020 season when they used them frequently, but Carroll eventually set foot on the break. How much leash Waldron gets could determine whether Wilson is bringing the friction of this off-season to bed or pushing a trade more heavily next year.
What has to happen for the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl?
If the Seahawks protect Wilson well and rely more heavily on game action, the offense can return to its dominance in early 2020. You will also need some near-level proficiency from a defense that hasn’t shown consistently solid play for several seasons.
Outlook for 2021
The Seahawks will remain playful as long as they have Wilson below the middle, and the veteran quarterback has never missed a start in his NFL career. But he’s also withered in the playoffs since the team’s last Super Bowl appearance seven seasons ago, and the defense hasn’t helped. In a stacked division that includes two of the last three clubs to win the NFC championship, Seattle 2021 is likely to look very similar to their recent campaigns.