Najee Harris Presents Intriguing Buy-Low Candidate for Seahawks’ Rebuilt Backfield
In the wake of Ken Walker III’s departure to join the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and Zach Charbonnet’s recent surgery to repair a torn ACL, the Seattle Seahawks continue to take a look at veteran options to reinforce their backfield depth, and the latest visitor to the VMAC may be the most interesting one yet.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Seahawks brought former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris to town on Wednesday, providing an opportunity to assess his recovery six months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon and undergoing surgery in an injury-marred lone season with the Chargers. Per the report, the ex-Alabama star also has a visit scheduled with the Raiders as he seeks a new home.
Prior to the significant injury, the 6-1, 245-pound Harris enjoyed a stellar four year run with the Steelers after coming on board as a decorated first round pick, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in each of those seasons and scoring 26 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 180 passes out of the backfield during that span, adding north of 1,000 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver, showcasing a well-rounded game for a bigger back.
Reign Bounce Back in Spokane, Revive Offense Against Current
The rearview mirror.
That's where the Seattle Reign put last Friday’s 2-0 loss to the nine-player their rival Portland Thorns with a 3-0 win over the defending NWSL Shield champion Kansas City Current on Wednesday night at ONE Spokane Stadium.
Angrahad James-Turner opened the scoring in the 18th minute with her first goal since 2024, while Brittany Ratcliffe found her second goal with the team, and Maddie Mercado netted her first goal of 2026. Sofia Huerta, the NWSL's all-time assist leader, had a hand in the last two goals to push her career assist tally to 33 as the Reign improved to 2-1-0.
Keeper Claudia Dickey also picked up the clean sheet, as her 14th career zero-spot moved her into first place in club history.
With Lumen Field nearing the end of its World Cup renovations, the team is spending its next two games east of the Cascades. It's safe to say this midweek shellacking of a rotating Current side (1-2-0) was a good way to get things rolling.
Mariners Release Opening Day Roster; Crawford, Miller Notably Absent with Injury
With opening day right around the corner for the Seattle Mariners - at 7:10 p.m. Pacific on Thursday against the Guardians - the team has released its first 26-man roster for the 2026 season. The top of the depth chart, of course, is very much all over the M’s roster, from returning superstars in Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez to new additions like Brendan Donovan and Jose A. Ferrer.
But of course it is not all sunshine and roses for the defending AL West champions. Longtime shortstop J.P. Crawford is out for the beginning of the year with a shoulder injury while Bryce Miller is working through an injury of his own, leaving holes in the middle infield and the back of the rotation. Leo Rivas is going to get some playing time at short in the meantime (and perhaps Cole Young might swivel
Record Deal in Tow, Jaxon Smith-Njigba ‘Ready to Attack’ as Seahawks’ Foundational Star
Nearly three years ago to the day, with the team holding two first-round picks thanks to the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade from March 2022, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, former coach Pete Carroll, and several team scouts flew into Columbus to check out an Ohio State pro day loaded with a ridiculous abundance of future NFL talent.
Drawing the most spectators, including Schneider and Carroll watching closely with significant questions at the quarterback position, Heisman Trophy finalist C.J. Stroud threw in front of scouts after bypassing the opportunity to do so at the NFL combine. Projected top-10 pick Paris Johnson also had no shortage of suitors watching him like hawks, though the Seahawks themselves were set at the tackle position after drafting Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas one year prior.
But as Schneider took a close gander at Ohio State’s rich stable of pro prospects at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, nobody shined on the field during athletic testing, on-field drills, and post-workout interviews more than receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Wowed by his skill set and character, the renowned executive left the building with the belief Seattle didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of him lasting on the board for the team to select with the 20th overall pick.
“I remember being at the Pro Day that day,” Schneider recalled. “And we were like, there's no way we're going to [draft him] - why are we meeting with this guy?”
NBA Expansion: Exploration Has Begun, So What’s Next For Potential Sonics Return?
It’s looking like it may only be a matter of time before the NBA is back in Seattle.
The NBA’s board of governors approved a vote — which got a yes from all 30 league owners — for the league to begin exploring bids for potential franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, formally beginning a process that would bring back the SuperSonics if completed.
The first step is complete, and while the chances of the NBA’s return to the Emerald City are becoming more and more likely, it’s still not a certainty. However, for the first time since the Sonics left in 2008, there is hope.
The Montlake Report: Biggest Storylines for the Huskies Heading Into Spring Football
Looking to improve on last year's 9-4 season, the Washington Huskies will open spring football on Tuesday, March 31. What are some of the biggest storylines heading into spring ball?
We also wrap up the end of the UW women's and men's basketball seasons.
Top-30/Local Visits Tracker: Who Have Seahawks Met With Leading Up to 2026 NFL Draft?
With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror and free agency well underway, the Seattle Seahawks and all 32 NFL teams are in the midst of scheduling and conducting their pre-draft top-30 visits.
In this process, each NFL team can bring in up to 30 players to their respective facilities for interviews and meetings with coaches as well as medical examinations and physicals. In addition, teams can also bring in local players for official visits, which do not count as one of the top-30 visits. While these on-site meetings are only part of the evaluation process leading up to the three-day event, they can play a critical role in determining where each player ends up on draft weekend.
Which players have already met with the Seahawks or are scheduled to come to town for top-30 visits and local visits before the 2026 NFL Draft?
Analysis: Why Cole Young’s Spring Training Improvements Will Continue in 2026 Mariners Season
Cole Young had the second-lowest hard hit rate on the Mariners last year at 31.1%, about 10th percentile among major leaguers. He also hit the longest home run of any Mariner.
Well, not counting Cal Raleigh’s absolute tanks in the Home Run Derby. But even as the Mariner catcher hit 60 bombs in 2025, he never cracked 450 feet on any of them; his longest shot went 448 feet. Young, meanwhile, took poor Rangers starter Kumar Rocker 456 feet with a line drive to the second deck on the last day of July. It was one of just four home runs during Young’s rookie campaign, but it gave some indication that Seattle’s biggest prospect graduation of the year might have some serious pop in the tank.
But with 12 extra-base hits in 257 plate appearances, Young didn’t give much of an indication that he could do such things consistently. Indeed, while that exact nuke left the bat at 114.1 miles an hour - a maximum exit velocity in the 83rd percentile - Young hit so many weak grounders and lazy fly balls that the rest of his batted ball profile was markedly unimpressive.
Hitting six home runs in 63 plate appearances, however, is very impressive. That’s what Young did in Spring Training this year - but does that mean anything come Opening Day?
Top 5 Home and Road Series on Mariners’ 2026 Schedule
The 2026 baseball season is upon us. The Mariners kick off the slate by welcoming the Cleveland Guardians to Seattle, starting Thursday. Opening Day is always a special time as the saying goes, “hope springs eternal.” For the Mariners, that’s especially true. It’s not very often that the Mariners open a season with the thought process of “World Series or bust.”
With that in mind, the Mariners will certainly clash with the best of the best MLB has to offer as they hope to be considered in that group themselves. Let’s take a look at the marquee series of the 2026 schedule, including the top five series at T-Mobile Park as well as the top five series on the road.
The top series could mean a combination of playing the best teams in the league but also key promotions or events surrounding that series.
Longer Seasons Incoming For WNBA, Seattle Storm Fans
Longer WNBA seasons are on the near horizon for Seattle Storm basketball fans.
The WNBA board of governors unanimously ratified the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players union on Tuesday, per the Associated Press, leaving just the long-form document to be written up before the agreement is finalized.
Included in the new CBA, in addition to the landmark increases in salaries for players, is the framework for substantially longer seasons, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews.
Transfer Portal Strikes Early for Washington State Cougars
Even though the college basketball transfer portal doesn’t officially open until April 7 and the NCAA Tournament still has a ways to go before crowning a new champion, a couple of Washington State Cougars have already announced their intentions to explore other opportunities and depart Pullman.
With the portal closing on April 21, it remains unclear how the rest of the roster will shake out heading into next season, but it’s possible other Cougars could decide to at least test the waters before the portal opens next month.
Seahawks Maintain Present/Future Cap Flexibility Amid Receiver Spending Spree
Kicking off a busy Monday in late March with a bang, the Seattle Seahawks worked swiftly to reward Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a record-setting extension, making the superstar receiver the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history with a four-year, $168.6 million contract.
Only a few hours later, weeks after locking up speedy wideout/return specialist Rashid Shaheed a three-year, $51 million contract on the first day of free agency, general manager John Schneider dipped even more financial assets into the receiver group, as the Seahawks opted to match the Jaguars’ two-year offer sheet for special teams ace Jake Bobo. Between those three contracts, the franchise has shelled out north of $220 million at the position this month, including over $120 million in guarantees for Smith-Njigba’s market-setting extension.
Adding those three deals with veteran Cooper Kupp’s remaining two years with base salaries of $12.9 and $12.4 million, per Spotrac, Seattle has a league-high $83 million in combined average annual value (AAV) at the receiver spot in 2026 and nearly equaling that total at $78 million in 2027. In both seasons, they sit at least $6 million ahead of the next team behind them, illustrating tremendous investment in the position compared to the rest of the NFL.
Gonzaga Baseball Battles For Series Win Over San Diego to Open WCC Play
The WCC schedule makers definitely cooked this time. Picked to finish first and second in the conference, respectively, the San Diego Toreros (8-14, 1-2 WCC) and Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-12, 2-1 WCC) met over the weekend for a three-game set that opened West Coast Conference play for the two teams, and to say the series delivered would be an understatement.
Highlighted by rallies, lead changes, and plenty of emotion, the Zags managed to take two out of three on the road despite dropping the series opener and the Toreros scoring first in all three games. Nearly everyone in GU’s lineup contributed throughout the weekend, with clutch hits being provided to stage several comeback efforts.
How did the Bulldogs’ resiliency show in a big series win?
Seahawks Reward Jaxon Smith-Njigba With Record-Breaking Extension
Striking a deal early in free agency with a contract extension being a top priority for the organization, the Seattle Seahawks have locked up one of their biggest foundational pieces for the next half decade.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Seahawks and superstar receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba have agreed to terms on a four-year, $168.6 million mega deal worth a record-setting $42.15 million per year. Under the terms of the contract, he will also receive more than $120 million in guarantees, the most ever for a wideout in NFL history.
Enjoying a historic breakout in his third season with the Seahawks and more than earning his market-setting contract, the 24-year-old Smith-Njigba emerged as one of the league’s best weapons for the eventual Super Bowl champions, snagging 119 receptions for an NFL-best 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns from quarterback Sam Darnold. Per TruMedia, he finished with 42 explosive receptions, seven more than any other receiver in the league, while posting a remarkable 35.3% explosive reception rate on a whopping 163 targets.
Mariners Reportedly Go with Garver for Backup Catcher; Right or Wrong Move by Dipoto?
Mitch Garver already returned to the Mariners organization thanks to some advice from Cal Raleigh, but with Spring Training nearly in the rear-view mirror, it’s being reported that he’s going to make the jump back to the bigs for another year. With this decision, it’s likely that Andrew Knizner - who signed a $1 million guaranteed contract in the offseason - will be designated for assignment, though he can be outrighted to Triple-A if he clears waivers. Jhonny Pereda, who is on the 40-man roster, will probably also return to Triple-A to start the season, though this would mark his last minor league option.
Garver was quite appreciative of Raleigh’s efforts to bring him back, according to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer.
“It means a lot that he would want me to come back and be there for him whenever he needs to take a breather,” Garver said. “So, I'm happy to do it. Happy to just put on the gear and catch guys when they need me the most and couldn't be [happier] to be where we're at.”
Bringing Garver up was a $2.25 million dollar decision, financially, as that’s what Garver was guaranteed to make if he made the MLB roster at any point. So what went into the decision to bring him back for another year?
Huskies WBB Stopped Short of Sweet 16 in Overtime Heartbreaker vs. TCU
The No. 6-seeded University of Washington women’s basketball team was on the precipice of a massive upset before surrendering its 10-point lead, allowing No. 3 TCU to force overtime and eventually end the Huskies’ season in a 62-59 second-round loss to the Horned Frogs on Sunday, March 22, at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Had the Huskies won, they would’ve advanced to their first Sweet 16 since the 2016-17 season and just their second since 1994-95.
Fresh off a dominant first-round victory over No. 11 South Dakota State, the Huskies were hoping to pursue a historic season. Instead, UW finished its season 22-11 overall in heartbreaking fashion.
Redhawks Give Tigers Last-Minute Scare, Fall Short in 91-85 NIT Loss
In the final minutes of Seattle U’s matchup against Auburn, the Redhawks nearly sucked the life out of Neville Arena. Five straight baskets by the underdog almost secured a miraculous come from behind win in NIT action.
But Seattle needed the poise they played with late to weather the storm in the early going and it simply wasn’t there. Multiple runs by the Tigers put the Redhawks into a hole they could not fully climb out of, suffering a season-ending 91-85 loss in the second round of the NIT Sunday night.
With the game tied at 15 in the first half, Auburn went on a 19-5 sprint to blow the game open early. Multiple Redhawk turnovers led to baskets on the other end and Auburn fed off its rowdy home crowd. While Seattle struggled to find a rhythm offensively, Auburn established control inside that led to easy looks throughout the entire contest. The Tigers had a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint and shot 32 free throws compared to 11 by the Redhawks.
Sounders Draw with Minnesota in Scoreless Grudge Match
The Seattle Sounders played to a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United on Sunday morning, which eliminated Seattle in a dramatic three-game series last season.
The Seattle Sounders went into Allianz Stadium looking for a fifth consecutive win away from Lumen Field. They got about a third of what they bargained for, playing to a 0-0 draw with the Loons to move to 3-1-1 on the young season.
Minnesota played its usual low block, dropping five defenders back and daring Seattle to beat them without giving up transition chances. Both sides generated around one expected goal, as there were moments of brilliance, especially toward the end of the game.
In the end, the Sounders kept their fifth clean sheet of the year as they head into a short international break in the middle of the Western Conference standings.
Analysis: Identifying Best EDGE Fits for Seahawks’ 2026 Draft Picks
Expectedly losing several key starters from their Super Bowl-winning squad in free agency, the Seattle Seahawks allowed former second round pick Boye Mafe to walk, as the three-year starter took his talents to the Cincinnati Bengals on a three-year, $60 million deal.
Losing Mafe, who only had two sacks and four quarterback hits in 17 games last season for Seattle, may not seem like a significant departure. But those numbers didn’t fully illustrate his impact in coach Mike Macdonald’s defense, as he still managed to eclipse 40 pressures and posted a 19% Pass Rush Win Rate that ranked eighth among EDGE defenders via ESPN, providing plenty of disruption even if the tangible statistics hitting quarterbacks didn’t translate from that.
In addition, the Seahawks have other questions at the position without Mafe, starting with the immediate future of Demarcus Lawrence, who has been at the center of retirement speculation since Super Bowl LX. Uchenna Nwosu, who finally overcame a rough two-year run of injuries to bounce back with a strong 2025 campaign, as well as Derick Hall, each have only one year remaining on their current contracts, making the EDGE spot a significant area of need short and long term for the franchise.
Looking at this year’s latest crop of EDGE defenders, which players stand out as the best potential fits to succeed Mafe and help reinforce the Seahawks’ defensive line for 2026 and beyond with each of their four selections?
Analysis: All Eyes on Caden Pinnick, Cougars’ Quarterback Room Entering Spring Ball
Though the Washington State Cougars managed to reach a bowl game in the lone season under former coach Jimmy Rogers, they did so with uneven play from multiple quarterbacks, as Jaxon Potter opened the season before being benched in favor of Zevi Eckhaus.
Potter began the year as Wazzu’s starter under center, but a horrendous performance in a blowout loss to North Texas cost him the job, and Eckhaus took the reins from there. The senior signal caller provided a lift for the Cougars by throwing 15 touchdowns and rushing for eight scores, but he still battled turnover issues, throwing 12 interceptions in 11 games.
Under new head coach Kirby Moore, the Cougars bring a mix of proven production, returning experience, and intriguing young talent into 2026, but it remains to be seen who will start. As spring football approaches in Pullman, with Eckhaus graduating and Potter transferring, who has the edge in a Washington State quarterback room featuring an exiting newcomer and two returning signal callers?
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