Does O-Line Continuity Set Seahawks Up for Sustained Super Bowl Window?
Prior to their latest march to a Super Bowl victory last February, the Seattle Seahawks appeared to have a proverbial “peanut” allergy in regard to developing and maintaining continuity along the offensive line, particularly in the interior at the guard and center positions.
Consistently struggling to keep quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith upright and at times failing to establish a reliable ground game under several different offensive coordinators over a nearly decade-long period, the Seahawks have had a different Week 1 starting center in six of the previous seven seasons dating back to Justin Britt’s final year with the team. The guard spots have not been that much more stable during that span, with the exception of Damien Lewis starting four years in a row from 2020 to 2023, sandwiched by games of musical chairs on the left and right side.
But the tides have truly turned in the Pacific Northwest for general manager John Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and company as they aim to run it forward, not ironically coinciding with arguably the best season in franchise history for the Seahawks. Anchored by tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas along with standout rookie Grey Zabel, the offensive line improved leaps and bounds under the coaching of long-time NFL assistant John Benton in 2025, providing sterling protection for Sam Darnold and igniting a run game that got hot at the perfect time down the stretch and kept rolling into the playoffs, paving the way for a 17-3 record that culminated with hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Seahawks’ Road to Super Bowl Repeat Becomes Far Trickier Following Pair of Blockbuster Trades
Closing in on a new season as the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks will have massive targets on their backs every single week, and rivals have already started throwing darts aiming for the bullseye two months before training camp even begins.
Kicking off the month of June with a rare flurry of blockbuster deals for the early summer, the Los Angeles Rams traded a 2027 first round pick, 2028 second round pick, and 2029 third round pick along with defensive end Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns to acquire superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett. Shortly after, the New England Patriots executed their own blockbuster to give quarterback Drake Maye a new No. 1 weapon, trading a 2028 first round pick and 2027 fifth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for standout receiver A.J. Brown.
Of those two moves, the Brown deal carries the most significance in terms of immediacy, as the Seahawks will see Brown donning a silver shell, white jersey, and nautical blue pants right out of the gate in their season opening Super Bowl LX rematch versus the Patriots at Lumen Field. The talented receiver will be reunited with coach Mike Vrabel after previously spending several seasons together in Tennessee and will replace Stefon Diggs as the team’s top pass catcher atop a significantly different receiving corps.
Analysis: 7 Burning Questions to Determine if Seahawks Will Win or Lose Super Bowl LX
After nearly two weeks of relentless coverage and chatter that has left fans on both sides experiencing a bad case of cabin fever, the Seattle Seahawks will finally hit the field with a chance to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots as the two teams meet at Levis Stadium in Sunday’s big game.
With both teams boasting top-three scoring offenses and physical, well-coached defenses, Sunday has all of the ingredients for a back-and-forth brawl on the biggest stage in professional sports. To earn their second Lombardi, the Seahawks will have to hope for the right answers to seven burning questions.
Riq Woolen, Seahawks’ Underdogs Aim to ‘Finish Off’ Success Stories Hoisting Lombardi Trophy
Returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years, the Seattle Seahawks have assembled the perfect blend of experience and youth in all three phases, assembling a roster full of star power with veteran stalwarts and high-upside rookies alike.
But as is often the case for teams that manage to advance to the NFL’s biggest stage, the Seahawks didn’t make it this far simply because of All-Pro talents such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Leonard Williams. Or off of the backs of former top-five picks in Sam Darnold and Devon Witherspoon. To win 14 games in the regular season and defeat a pair of division rivals in the playoffs, they needed contributions from players who didn’t come from such heralded beginnings.
‘I’m a Seahawk, Damnit’: Could John Benton Stick Around Post-Super Bowl With Young O-Line Nucleus?
With Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to take the Las Vegas Raiders vacant head coaching job, it has been widely speculated that the play caller will bring offensive line coach John Benton along with him to the Sin City.
But with such decisions not to be made until after Super Bowl LX on Sunday, even considering his previous connections working with Kubiak both in New Orleans and Seattle as well as coaching under Kubiak’s father Gary in Houston, Benton staying put in the Pacific Northwest should not be ruled out.
Speaking with the Emerald City Spectrum during Thursday’s media scramble at the San Jose Convention Center, when asked about whether or not he could provide an answer on the possibility of following Kubiak to Las Vegas on the heels of speaking glowingly about his current offensive line group, Benton emphatically responded, “I’m a Seahawk, damnit!”
‘Getting Into a Groove’: How Ken Walker III, Seahawks’ Emerging Run Game Fueled Super Bowl Run
The Seahawks hung tough in a tight NFC West race for much of the 2025 season behind Sam Darnold’s arm and a stingy “Darkside” defense. But no development has been bigger in the pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy than Ken Walker III and a mauling line finding their groove.
Ranking Top 10 Moves Made by John Schneider to Fuel Seahawks Return to Title Contention
Through free agency, trades, the draft, and other bold moves, John Schneider rebuilt the Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender for the second time in his illustrious career, making him a slam dunk choice for Executive of the Year. Which moves stand out as his best?
Burning Questions: What to Watch as Seahawks Host 49ers in Divisional Round
Facing off for the second time in just 14 days, the Seahawks and 49ers will embark in a unique playoff chess match with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line. Which key questions will dictate which rival moves one win closer to the Super Bowl?
‘Job is Not Done’: Seahawks’ Vets Preaching Same Approach for Youthful Squad Entering Playoffs
One of the youngest teams in the NFL, the Seahawks’ youth could be viewed as a potential concern going into a win or go home Divisional Round rematch against the 49ers. But a strong core of veterans doesn’t envision that being a problem at an energized Lumen Field.
Hawks Rewind: All-22 Breakdown of Seahawks’ 13-3 Win Over 49ers
Controlling the line of scrimmage in the run game and shutting down a potent 49ers offense, the Seahawks made a statement earning a first round bye in Santa Clara. Who shined brightest under the lights in a historic win for the franchise?
Top-Seeded Seahawks’ Ground Attack Coming Alive at Perfect Time
Keying the franchise’s quick ascent to Super Bowl contender, after a slow start in Klint Kubiak’s offense early in the fall, Ken Walker, Zach Charbonnet, and a rapidly improving offensive line have the Seahawks armed and ready to make noise in January.
Comparing Rivals: How Do Seahawks, 49ers’ Offenses Stack Up Against Each Other?
Orchestrating similar, yet not identical offensive schemes, the Seahawks and 49ers have been among the NFL’s best at putting points on the board in 2025. Which team has the edge at each offensive position group heading into the NFC West title game on Saturday?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Tangle With Panthers in Battle of First Place Squads
Seeking division championships with two weeks remaining on the schedule, the Seahawks and Panthers’ hopes on Sunday could rest on which offensive line can fend off ferocious defensive fronts the best. Which matchups will dictate who earns a massive Week 17 win?
Analysis: Who Should Seahawks Start at Center With Jalen Sundell Set to Return?
Unlike most of the past decade where the Seahawks struggled to find a quality center, the team believes they have two starter-caliber players at the position. What does that mean for who will start in the final four games with Jalen Sundell ready to return?
Seahawks Waive Veterans, Create Multiple Spots on 53-Man Roster For Further Moves
With a wave of players returning to practice in recent weeks, the Seahawks opened up two roster spots on Thursday, but it remains to be seen who will fill those openings before Sunday’s home game against the Colts.
Seahawks ‘Optimistic’ Jalen Sundell Returns to Boost O-Line vs. Colts
The Seahawks have continued to play winning football since Jalen Sundell went down in Week 10 with a knee injury. With the second-year center ready to return to action, how should Mike Macdonald and his staff proceed installing him in the lineup?
Injury Report: Ernest Jones Good to Go For Seahawks, Two Ruled Out vs. Rams
Named a captain alongside current - and former - teammate Cooper Kupp, Ernest Jones will be in uniform for the Seahawks heading into a massive NFC West matchup with the Rams. Who’s in and who’s out at SoFi Stadium for Mike Macdonald’s team?
Injury Updates: Seahawks Expected to Lose Jalen Sundell For ‘Multiple Weeks’
For the first time this season, the Seahawks will have to navigate a significant injury along the offensive line, while it remains unclear whether Ernest Jones and other injured players will return for a crucial contest against the Rams on Sunday.
Keys to Victory: How Seahawks Can Sweep Cardinals in Week 10 Rematch
With both teams battling through a bunch of injuries, the Seahawks and Cardinals will have some new faces set to make an impact as they battle for the second time in seven weeks. What must Seattle do to earn a season sweep against its rival for the second straight year?
It’s Time to Say It: Seahawks’ O-Line is Best Franchise Has Had in Years
No, the Seahawks don’t have a perfect offensive line in 2025. But with many other teams struggling to build cohesive units in the trenches, the group has taken a massive step forward, emerging as a key reason to believe in Seattle as a contender.
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