Want to know about the Seattle Seahawks franchise’s state going into the 2023–2024 season? Read on!

Transitions from 2022 to 2023

The Hawks beefed up their defensive line, filling some much-needed holes going into 2023. They cut some of their aging players and replaced them with seasoned free agents around the league. Bobby Wagner is back, along with linebacker Devin Bush. Safety Julian Love will join the Hawks, as will DEs Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed.

A further bolstering of the defensive line came with the draft. In particular, in the first two rounds, cornerback Devon Witherspoon from Illinois and linebacker Derick Hall from Auburn were added.

Seattle’s offensive scheme tends to be hard on running backs; they get injured frequently, and last year we were practically pulling the water boys onto the field to fill the position. Kenneth Walker III, a runner-up for the Offensive NFL Rookie of the Year of 2022, is an incredible running back, and in case of injury, we also drafted the exciting new talent from UCLA, Zach Charbonnet.

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon (21) and WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba (11) – King5News

No one can replace the dynamic duo that is Metcalf and Lockett, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Ohio State will be an added asset to the field. The offense feels strong going into 2023, in addition to what is hopefully a successful defense.

The Seattle Seahawks Immediate Outlook

The Seattle Seahawks’ immediate outlook is positive. Assuming that Geno Smith plays to his full capabilities and the newly constructed defense melds well, the 2022–2023 season will likely go well. The NFC West is one of the most competitive divisions in the league, so being good may not be good enough.

Smith did well last season, but will the chronic backup QB be able to match his 2022 season performance? Only time will tell. I believe in Geno. Is he able to be great and not just good? In our division, we need great The trajectory of the team will be guided by Geno Smith, and that’s a tough burden to bear.

Is This the Seattle Seahawks Winning Window?

Does it feel like this season is the Hawks’ winning window? Maybe. Seattle made a concerted effort to fill the gaps with the draft (even if I made different decisions and questioned the team’s choices) and free agency signings. There have been a lot of transitions going into the 2023 season, but there are many older players that may not have the longevity of less seasoned players.

It’s also a lot of new faces for the team—will they be able to be a cohesive team that complements each other’s strengths and compensates for each other’s weaknesses? Our recently signed free agents have played on several different teams before, and so hopefully that comes with an ability to be flexible and a quick acclimation.

I don’t know if some of the decisions made were long-term solutions for various positions. However, I have faith that Carroll and Schneider are thinking both long- and short-term. Their 2022 draft choices were incredible, and hopefully, that is a trend that continues this year.

There are some weaknesses in our division rivals, and that could give us an advantage this upcoming year. The Cardinals are coming into the season with a new coach and a questionable work culture in the locker room.

The Rams and the San Francisco 49ers struggled with injuries, particularly at the quarterback position, and this could be a continuing problem going into this upcoming season. Between the chaos in Arizona and the compromised health in California, this could be the Hawks year.

If not this year, the winning window will likely be a way down the road. The team will need to sign on for many different positions in the near future as many players continue to age out, leaving a skeleton crew of talented youth.

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Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III – Getty Images

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