Analysis: Predicting Seahawks 2026 Offensive Breakout Candidates
Now less than a month from reporting date for training camp, the Seattle Seahawks will soon begin their Super Bowl title defense with sights on hoisting another Lombardi Trophy.
But even with most of their roster kept intact after losing only five free agents from their title squad, for the Seahawks to have a shot at a rare Super Bowl repeat in coach Mike Macdonald’s third season at the helm, they will need several players to take a step forward with every opponent ready to give them their best shot each week. On offense, the team will have a new first-time coordinator calling plays in Brian Fleury and have to replace the production lost with Ken Walker III bolting to join the Chiefs as a free agent, doing so without the services of an injured Zach Charbonnet until at least October.
Looking towards the 2026 season, which offensive Seahawks stand out as prime candidates for a breakout campaign?
Rashid Shaheed Full Speed Ahead in First Offseason Program With Seahawks
Playing the role of dynamite on special teams, the Seattle Seahawks midseason acquisition of Rashid Shaheed at the trade deadline proved to be an absolute game changer for the franchise on the way to a Super Bowl LX victory.
Any time Shaheed touched the football on kickoff or punt returns, lightning was liable to strike, especially at Lumen Field. Just ask the NFC West rival Rams and 49ers, who watched the speedy wideout put six points on the board against them with returns for touchdowns in Week 16 and the Divisional Round, respectively, providing instant offense for the Seahawks in the crucial third phase of the game that helped bring a second Lombardi Trophy to the Pacific Northwest.
While trading for Shaheed certainly belongs in the discussion as one of the best deadline deals made by general manager John Schneider due to his three total special teams touchdowns, however, the Seahawks didn’t receive near as much sizzle from the electric receiver on offense as they hoped for after acquiring him from the Saints. In nine regular season games following the trade, he managed to produce only 15 catches for 188 yards and didn’t score a touchdown, struggling to consistently sync up with quarterback Sam Darnold in the passing game as they tried to build chemistry on the fly.
But reaping the benefits of a full offseason working with Darnold after signing a three-year, $51 million contract to stay in Seattle back in March, coach Mike Macdonald expects Shaheed to emerge as a far more formidable weapon alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba in new coordinator Brian Fleury’s offense in 2026.
Takeaways: Sam Darnold, Rashid Shaheed Connection Blossoming at Seahawks OTAs
Nearing the midway point of Phase 3 of their offseason program as the 2026 season draws closer, the Seattle Seahawks returned to the practice field for the second of three OTA practices open to media on Wednesday.
What stood out at the VMAC? Starting with an encouraging development for Seattle’s passing attack, here are five takeaways from Wednesday’s session:
1. The Sam Darnold to Rashid Shaheed connection appears to have been upgraded in their first full offseason together.
Coming over from the Saints in the latest trade deadline steal orchestrated by John Schneider, Shaheed left his imprint on the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run functioning as special teams dynamite, returning two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns, including a kick return for six points on the opening play of a Divisional Round blowout of the 49ers. But as a pass catcher, he didn’t have near as much success as fans may have hoped, struggling to emerge as a consistent weapon complementing Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba with just 15 catches for 188 yards and no touchdowns in nine regular season games.
Rashid Shaheed More Than Just a Return Specialist for Seahawks
When John Schneider pulled the trigger on a trade with the New Orleans Saints at the trade deadline last season, it changed the trajectory of Seattle’s season. It’s not too far-fetched to say that the move to bring in Rashid Shaheed helped the Seahawks get over the hump and win the Super Bowl.
While Shaheed is a receiver, he truly turned the tide for Seattle as a return man. He ran back a kick return to open the second half against the Falcons when the game was tied and the offense was sputtering. That sparked Seattle to a blowout win in Atlanta. Later, he returned a punt for a touchdown when Seattle was down two scores to the Rams at home, with the division and No. 1 seed in the NFC possibly at stake. That helped the Seahawks rally to one of the most dramatic wins in franchise history.
He didn’t stop there. On the opening kickoff of Seattle’s postseason, against the 49ers, Shaheed ran it 95 yards and pranced into the endzone for the game-opening score amid the smoke from the pregame fireworks. Before the dust and smoke had cleared, Seattle was already winning and they never looked back.
It’s impossible to tell the story of the 2025 Seahawks without Shaheed. He is a vital part of it, interwoven with so many critical moments leading up to Seattle hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
5 Burning Questions for Seahawks Heading Into 2026 NFL Draft
With the Senior Bowl, scouting combine, and official visits all in the rearview mirror and OTAs kicking off across the league, the 2026 NFL Draft will finally commence on Thursday, April 23, providing an opportunity for the Seattle Seahawks to add young talent to their roster after capturing a Super Bowl title in February.
Unfortunately for general manager John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks currently only have four selections, their fewest entering a draft since 2021. By virtue of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, the team also picks last in the first, second, and third round, a “reward” for reaching the top of the NFL mountaintop for the second time in franchise history that will undoubtedly complicate efforts to move down the board with less valuable selections.
One day away from the opening round kicking off in Pittsburgh, even if the Seahawks potentially won’t pick on Thursday night, there are still plenty of questions left to be answered this weekend as Schneider and Macdonald conduct their third draft together.
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks in Great Shape for Present, Future Offensively
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s offense look for both the present and the future?
Ready to Defend Title, Seahawks ‘Cognizant’ of Lessons Learned From Previous Super Bowl Runs
Every season in the NFL is unique by nature thanks to free agency and the draft ensuring substantial roster turnover across the league, and while the Seattle Seahawks only lost five players in free agency off of their Super Bowl LX winning squad, they won’t be an exception to the rule with several newcomers coming on board as they begin their title defense.
With that said, though the vibes will undoubtedly be a bit different in 2026 regardless of the continuity on the roster, that doesn’t mean that the effects of playing into February and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy won’t have an impact on the upcoming season either. Fortunately for general manager John Schneider, this isn’t his first rodeo coming off of a Super Bowl run, and he’s eager to take advantage of the multitude of lessons learned from the last time the Seahawks made the big game in back to back seasons in 2014 and 2015.
Speaking with reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, leaning on his first-hand experience from those prior Super Bowl runs, Schneider indicated that there’s a lot of factors Seattle must be “cognizant” of after playing deep into February that go well beyond building the roster and coaching staff.
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.
Seahawks Wisely Slow Played Free Agency With 2026 NFL Draft Class in Mind
Moments after the NFL’s legal tampering period opened on March 9, Seattle Seahawks fans quickly experienced the downside of bringing home the Lombardi Trophy, as Super Bowl MVP Ken Walker III started the festivities by securing a record-setting three-year, $43 million free agent contract from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Less than an hour later, the Seahawks suffered another significant loss from the Super Bowl tax as safety Coby Bryant bolted for another NFC contender, signing a three-year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Bears. Not long after, outside linebacker Boye Mafe cashed in as well, inking a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals worth $20 million per season. One day later, cornerback Riq Woolen joined the exodus, taking his talents to Philadelphia on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. Before free agency even had officially began, four former starters had flew the nest for lucrative big money contracts elsewhere.
For many fans who hoped to see the team run it back, it may have felt like the rest of the NFL had quickly descended on the defending champions like vultures zeroing in on deceased prey and gradually started picking away from the carcass.
Seahawks Free Agency Tracker: Re-signings, Departures, and Rumors
Officially opening the new NFL league year, the Seattle Seahawks and all 32 teams will be jockeying for position to sign their own players and court outside free agents when the legal tampering period opens on Monday at 9 AM PT.
Unlike previous seasons, including when linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive tackle Jarran Reed struck deals late in the process leading up to the new league year, Seahawks general manager John Schneider has not signed any of the team’s nine unrestricted free agents prior to the tampering period. As a result, all of those players will now be able to speak with other teams with the exclusive negotiating window coming to a close.
Who will Seattle re-sign? Which players will bolt for greener pastures? And which newcomers will join the defending champs via free agency or trade?
Seahawks Lock Up Rashid Shaheed With Massive Three-Year Extension
Hours after losing standout running back Ken Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seattle Seahawks made sure to prevent Sam Darnold from losing another one of his top skill position weapons in free agency.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Seahawks opened up the checkbook for the dynamic playmaking receiver and return specialist, retaining Shaheed on a three-year, $51 million contract worth $17 million per season. Under terms of the agreement, he will receive $34.7 million in guarantees over the life of the deal.
Acquired at the trade deadline by general manager John Schneider from New Orleans in exchange for a fourth and fifth-round draft pick, Shaheed becomes the latest in a long line of midseason pickups who stuck around beyond being a half season rental in Seattle. Previously, the franchise worked out long-term deals for linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive tackle Leonard Williams when both players were slated to become free agents after being acquired in deadline trades.
Analysis: Predicting How Seahawks’ 2026 Free Agency Period Will Unfold
Beginning their title defense a little over a month after capturing the Super Bowl LX crown, the Seattle Seahawks will have no shortage of challenging decisions to make with the start of a new league year on March 11 and other teams looking to steal several marquee players from their roster in free agency.
Will general manager John Schneider be able to keep most of Seattle’s big name free agents and run it back in 2026? Or will Ken Walker III, Rashid Shaheed, and others bolt with more lucrative opportunities elsewhere? And could a few big splashes be on tap supplementing the roster without outside free agents?
Free Agent Primer: Will Rashid Shaheed Return to Run it Back With Seahawks in ‘26?
With a new league year slated to kick off on March 11, the Seahawks have nine unrestricted free agents scheduled to test the market along with seven restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. Compared to prior seasons, general manager John Schneider has more financial flexibility at his disposal with OverTheCap.com listing the franchise as sixth in available effective cap space ($62 million), but with several big name stars in line for extensions such as All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team won’t be able to keep everyone after running the table to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Over the next several weeks, using statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and TruMedia, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2025 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2026.
After sending Lumen Field into a frenzy with multiple kick and punt returns for touchdowns following his midseason arrival via trade, will the Seahawks be able to bring back speedy receiver and special teams ace Rashid Shaheed? Or will his market prove to be too expensive with numerous other suitors in pursuit?
John Schneider, Seahawks Back to Business Fresh Off Super Bowl Title at NFL Combine
Capturing the ultimate prize in professional sports in Santa Clara, John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks made the most of their opportunity to bask in the limelight as Super Bowl champions earlier this month, including celebrating with nearly a million fans in downtown in a parade for the ages as they stood atop the NFL world.
But eventually, the confetti disappears and the suds stop flowing. After climbing back to the mountaintop for the second time in franchise history, it’s time for Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and the Seahawks to get back to work with sights on defending their title, and that process officially starts with the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week.
From the outside, the combine draws the most attention for the measurements and athletic testing that takes place in Lucas Oil Stadium as more than 300 NFL hopefuls descend upon the Circle City, and the league milks that process with live televised workouts starting on Thursday. But for Schneider, Macdonald, and the rest of Seattle’s brass that flies in for the festivities, while they will be monitoring the testing process closely and value athleticism as much as anyone, it’s far from the most important business to tend to.
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?
Top 12 Moments From Seahawks’ Super Bowl-Winning 2025 Season
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl LX champions! Yes, keep saying that to yourself. Anytime you are feeling down, sad, anxious, or just plain bored, look at that photo of Mike Macdonald and Sam Darnold staring into the reflection of the Lombardi Trophy and feel all your troubles melt away.
As is the nature of the NFL, it rolls on like a fierce locomotive, not caring whether or not you want to pause a moment to smell the roses (or the yellow Gatorade). Free agency is less than a month away. The NFL Combine is even sooner. The NFL Draft is just over two months away.
One last time, let’s look back, instead of forward. These are 12 top moments of the 2025 season, that happened before the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
‘We Ain’t Going Nowhere’: Seahawks Already Planting Seeds in Quest for Super Bowl Repeat
Less than 72 hours after navy and action green confetti fluttered to the turf at Levis Stadium following a 29-13 demolition of the New England Patriots, while the Seattle Seahawks celebrated their second Super Bowl title with a frenzied fan base both at Lumen Field and during a parade in downtown on Wednesday, they already have their sights set on doing it again next season.
Wearing a t-shirt depicting teammate Sam Darnold smoking a cigar and once again singing effusive, explicit praise about Seattle’s quarterback from the podium with a sparkling Lombardi Trophy in hand, Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones made sure to remind fans and the rest of the league that the team “ain’t going nowhere.”
"Not only do we have the best defense in the world, we've got the best team in the world," Jones said, “And quite frankly, if you've got anything to say about my quarterback, if you've got anything to say about my defense, if you've got anything to say about our O-line, if you've got anything to say about the city of Seattle, I've got two words for you: F--- you.”
12 Reasons Seahawks Will Win Super Bowl LX
Some might say this is like Christmas Eve. It’s better. Why? Christmas is reliable. It comes every year, rain, snow, or shine.
Your favorite team in the Super Bowl? Absolutely not.
The season in which the Seattle Seahawks celebrated their 50th campaign as a franchise, they are competing for their second Lombardi Trophy.
So here we are. Like Pippin in the Lord of the Rings, finding it worse to sit on the edge of a battle one could not escape. Thanos said, “Dread it. Run from it. Destiny arrives all the same.”
Destiny knocks on the Seahawks’ door tomorrow. Will they open the door, and let it in?
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.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is Headliner of Seahawks’ Passing Attack, Not the Whole Act
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards despite playing in an offense that ranked middle of the pack in pass attempts in 2025. But that doesn’t mean this offense is a one-trick pony going into Super Bowl LX.
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