Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks in Great Shape for Present, Future Offensively
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Seattle Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) reacts after an interception during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images [/caption]
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? Here’s a deep dive into the state of each offensive position group through the 2028 season:
Quarterback
Continuing his career renaissance by throwing 25 touchdown passes and leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win, Darnold remains under contract through the 2027 season with escalating, yet reasonable cap hits of $37 million and $44.9 million over the next two years. Assuming the soon-to-be 29-year-old gunslinger keeps playing at a high level in new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury’s offense, Schneider will happily open negotiations next spring to extend his contract at a higher price point, though those discussions could be challenging if his play stagnates or he takes a slight step back in 2026. Either way, he’s going to be under center for the next two years minimum and another contract seems like a given at this point, so the franchise quarterback is on the roster.
Behind Darnold, Drew Lock has one year left on his current deal, providing an experienced backup with starting experience. Closing in on his 30th birthday, Lock’s days of pursuing a starting job elsewhere may be over, and staying with Seattle beyond 2026 could be a strong possibility. If there’s a reason why that may not happen, however, the organization remains high on Jalen Milroe’s upside and Macdonald hinted that the former Alabama standout could have a bigger role coming next season as a package quarterback. Depending on how his development progresses, the Seahawks could choose to move forward with him as the primary backup by 2027, when he will still have two years left on his rookie contract.
Running Back
It can be argued that no position on Seattle’s roster currently is in a greater state of flux than the running back stable, which saw Super Bowl LX MVP Ken Walker III depart for Kansas City in free agency days after Zach Charbonnet underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, leaving the team without its top returning back until at least October, if not longer. Without a healthy Charbonnet, George Holani and Kenny McIntosh, who have yet to start a single NFL game between them, will be the front runners to start when OTAs start in May, while incoming free agent Emanuel Wilson also will be in the mix as a physical, downhill complement. None of those players are under contract past the 2027 season either, casting long-term questions beyond this year.
With that said, it’s possible the Seahawks will try to re-sign Charbonnet to a second contract once he’s back to full health. And even if they don’t make that move, Schneider will have a chance to land a starter in this month’s NFL draft, potentially selecting one as early as the first round with Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price being a prime candidate for No. 32 overall. On Day 2, holding a second and third-round pick, Washington’s Jonah Coleman, Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr., and Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson could all be candidates to succeed Walker as well, giving Seattle options on draft weekend even if the class isn’t a great one depth-wise in the backfield.
Receiver
Quite the opposite situation from running back, Schneider sunk his teeth into investing in Seattle’s receiving corps this spring, starting with the decision to lock up reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a record-setting $168.6 million deal last month. Recently turning 24 years old and only entering his second season catching passes from Darnold, Smith-Njigba’s best production may still be ahead of him, a scary thought for the rest of the NFL after he nearly hit 1,800 yards to lead the league last year. The Seahawks are in great hands - literally and figuratively - atop the depth chart with one of the league’s premier young talents, and he’s not the only one under contract for multiple seasons.
Away from Smith-Njigba, Schneider made a $51 million commitment in playmaker Rashid Shaheed, ensuring Seattle would have another speed threat to take pressure off of the star receiver while also having a fun gadget weapon to deploy in the run game and an elite return specialist on special teams. Second year wideout Tory Horton will return after missing the second half of his rookie season with a shin injury, while Jake Bobo also comes back with a new two-year deal and Ricky White III enters his second season with hopes of being a bigger contributor replacing Dareke Young. All five of those players are under contract through 2027 or longer, with veteran Cooper Kupp being the only real question mark with two years left on his current deal and the possibility of moving on next spring.
Tight End
Still with two years left on his rookie contract, AJ Barner appears poised to cash in as early as next spring, as the former fourth-round pick out of Michigan has been quite impressive as an all-around tight end in his first two seasons and has emerged as a core player in the locker room. Assuming he takes another step forward as a pass catcher and run blocker in 2026, Schneider could work swiftly to try to ink him to a three or four-year extension, securing him as a foundational piece to pair with Darnold and Smith-Njigba for the long haul. Absorbing a big pay raise should be easier with Arroyo being on an affordable rookie contract through 2028 and fellow second-year tight end Nick Kallerup under club control for at least two more years.
From a depth perspective, Eric Saubert signed a one-year extension during the 2025 campaign and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Seahawks made a similar move with him again next fall due to his special teams impact and underrated blocking skills. Brady Russell will also be back as a hybrid tight end/fullback for the next two years, so the Seahawks look to be in fantastic shape from top to bottom at the position for at least the next couple of years.
Offensive Line
Serving as a breath of fresh air after years of playing musical chairs along the offensive line, Schneider prioritized continuity over the past calendar year by locking up tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas to lucrative extensions, tying them to the team through 2028 together as Darnold’s bookend protectors. Those new contracts will coincide with the rest of guard Grey Zabel’s rookie deal, which runs through 2028 and likely will have a fifth-year option picked up for 2029. At the pivot position, center Jalen Sundell will be a restricted free agent next year, but as long as he continues to progress in his second season as a starter, the team will place a tender on him next spring or extend him on a new contract, meaning four starters are under club control for at least two more seasons together.
But the Seahawks will have a major decision to make at right guard, where the oft-criticized Anthony Bradford will be entering the final year of his rookie contract. Still just 25 years old, Bradford made tremendous strides in his third season as a starter last year, including allowing just one sack in the team’s final 10 regular season games. But his play continues to be riddled by inconsistency and after shelling out substantial bucks at both tackle spots already, Schneider may not be rushing to the negotiating table to do the same for the former fourth round pick out of LSU. Simply put, especially with Christian Haynes yet to show he can get the job done in the league, guard stands out as a position to watch closely in the draft, as Seattle could have a successor in mind if the right player falls to them and at minimum, the team will have a chance to add quality competition to push Bradford.
