Analysis: Ranking Seahawks Biggest Remaining Needs After First Wave of Free Agency
The free agency period isn’t over in the NFL with plenty of players still seeking new homes, but only one week into the new league year, activity has slowed down substantially with most teams either bargain shopping or fully shifting attention to the looming 2026 NFL Draft.
Beginning the quest to defend their Super Bowl title, the Seattle Seahawks expectedly suffered a handful of big losses in the early stages of free agency, including three starters from that championship squad signing elsewhere. But general manager John Schneider fared quite well keeping the backbone of the team together, re-signing or tendering 13 of their 18 free agents, while adding four external free agents on one-year contracts to help fill the new voids to an extent.
Now entering the next stage of free agency as final preparations for the draft get underway, which positions stand out as the Seahawks’ biggest areas of need midway through the offseason?
Seahawks Locking Up Restricted Free Agents, Maintaining Championship Core
While the Seattle Seahawks have lost several former starters in free agency, including running back Ken Walker III and safety Coby Bryant, the franchise has made keeping most of its championship core together a top priority.
Aiming to keep the band together for the most part, the Seahawks have worked swiftly to retain several of their restricted free agents early in the free agency window. The process started in earnest one week before the new league year kicked off with linebacker Drake Thomas signing a two-year, $8 million deal to avoid becoming an unrestricted free agent without a tender, ensuring both of the team’s starters at the position would be under contract through 2027.
With free agency officially starting on Wednesday, Seattle has continued to lock up restricted free agents with new contracts, starting with the decision to place a right of first refusal tender on receiver Jake Bobo. Later in the day, the team signed long snapper Chris Stoll to a two-year contract and welcomed back reserve safety AJ Finley on a one-year contract. On Thursday, one day after he became an unrestricted free agent without a tender placed on him, tight end/fullback Brady Russell returned on a two-year deal of his own and defensive tackle Brandon Pili inked a one-year deal worth $2 million.
Analysis: Ranking Riq Woolen, Seahawks Projected 2026 Free Agents
Now officially in offseason mode after capturing a Super Bowl title for the second time in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks have several big questions to answer on the free agency front with a new league year set to begin on March 11.
Compared to prior offseasons, the Seahawks have a quite healthy financial situation, as OverTheCap.com has them currently with $62 million in effective cap space, the sixth-most in the NFL. But at the same time, in addition to 16 unrestricted and restricted free agents, general manager John Schneider has several young stars now eligible for extensions, including All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, inevitably meaning that the franchise won’t be able to keep everyone set to hit the market next month.
Looking at Seattle’s projected unrestricted and restricted free agents, who stands out as the players Schneider and company should prioritize re-signing?
Elijah Arroyo Active, Robbie Ouzts Out for Seahawks in Super Bowl LX
After receiving a questionable designation on Friday’s final injury report, the Seattle Seahawks will be without fullback Robbie Ouzts as they battle the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Ouzts, a fifth-round pick out of Alabama, has been dealing with a nagging neck injury since Seattle’s 41-6 Divisional Round win over San Francisco last month. He sat out a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago, but with the extra week via a bye, the team held out hope he would be ready to return for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, after being limited in practice this week, he won’t be available.
Week 17 Inactives: Seahawks Deactivate Brandon Pili Again in Carolina
For the second straight game, the Seahawks will go on the lighter side on the defensive line, rolling with six receivers instead of nose tackle Brandon Pili.
Jarran Reed Injury Leaves Big Shoes to Fill on Seahawks’ Defensive Front
A dominant defensive line trifecta has helped fuel the Seahawks fast 6-2 start to climb to the top of the NFC West. But now that the group will be down a key member for a month, who will fill the gap literally and figuratively in the midst of a playoff race?
Unsung Heroes Thrive as Seahawks Throttle Commanders in Primetime Thrashing
Throwing four touchdowns in the first half, Sam Darnold deserved all the flowers leading the Seahawks to a blowout win in Landover. But with injuries on both sides of the ball, it was a complete team win with no shortage of standouts shining under the lights.
Halftime Observations: Seahawks Come Out Humming Post-Bye, Lead 31-7 in Washington
Spearheaded by an all-world performance by Sam Darnold, the Seahawks showed no rust coming out of their bye week, racing out to a 24-point lead on the road in prime time.
Breaking Down Seahawks’ Initial 17-Man Practice Squad
After cutting their roster from 90 to 53 players, the Seahawks have put together their first full practice squad of the season with more chances inevitably to come later this week.
Instant Analysis: Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks Run Wild in 33-16 Preseason Win vs. Chiefs
Rushing for nearly 200 yards before halftime, the Seahawks set the tone early on a rainy night at Lumen Field, battering the Chiefs on both sides of the ball for a satisfying 17-point preseason win in front of the 12s.
Camp Takeaways: George Holani Runs Wild, Seahawks’ Defense Racks Up Picks on Day 6
Heeding the call from coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks rebounded nicely on offense in Tuesday’s second padded practice behind excellent efforts from reserve running backs vying for the third down role.
Seahawks 90-Man Rundown: Brandon Pili Hoping Experience Leads to Reserve Role
Previously playing in a dozen games for the Dolphins, Brandon Pili will enter his first training camp with the Seahawks with a prime opportunity to vie for a rotational nose tackle role in Mike Macdonald’s defense.
Seahawks OTAs Preview: What to Watch From Byron Murphy, Defensive Tackle Group
Atop the depth chart, few NFL teams have more firepower than the Seahawks do in the interior of their defensive line. But losses in the offseason have created some questions that need to be answered in the depth department.
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