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Seattle Seahawks
NFL Team · SEA

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks

NFL team. Team code: SEA.

Quick Facts

2026 Outlook

Defending Super Bowl champions facing a major test replacing Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker III, who signed a three-year, $45M free-agent deal with Kansas City in March 2026. Walker had become the Seahawks' primary back down the stretch and was irreplaceable in the run game, having rushed for 1,027 yards and 4.6 yards per carry in 2025. The team is targeting free-agent RB prospects—likely Tyler Allgeier (Atlanta) or Brian Robinson (San Francisco), both fitting Fleury's outside-zone system—or could use draft capital at the position, particularly given Zach Charbonnet's ACL injury (requiring approximately nine months recovery, potentially pushing his return to mid-season). (per Seahawks lose Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to Chiefs)

From a fantasy perspective, the Seahawks' offense warrants caution heading into 2026. While OC Brian Fleury brings Shanahan-system continuity, his past work as a TE coach signals potential increased usage of multi-TE packages (Fleury said he'd "love the ability to use different personnel groups"), which could reduce passing volume compared to Kubiak's 2025 scheme despite high-level personnel. For RBs, zone-schemed backs like rookies Jadarian Price and Emanuel Wilson fit the scheme well (both showed >4.5 yards per rush in zone runs in recent seasons), but Zach Charbonnet has struggled in zone in past seasons (3.9 yards per rush in 2025), creating depth-chart ambiguity until his ACL injury permits return. Fleury's past with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco means stability, but the first-time play-caller status and potential TE-set shifts create fantasy uncertainty beyond the obvious Walker replacement void (per The Seahawks may be an offense to approach with caution in Fantasy Football with Klint Kubiak now in Vegas).

The team opens with a Wednesday night Super Bowl rematch against New England, followed by a Week 2 home opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Mike Macdonald's first full season as HC leads a finely-tuned machine with championship continuity, but losing Walker's explosiveness is a material hit to the offense. (per Seattle Seahawks' easiest game of the 2026 season is already clear)

At the draft, Seattle selected RB Jadarian Price (No. 32 overall), targeting a competitor with elite fit for the team's outside zone blocking scheme. Price's exceptional footwork, instant acceleration, and three-down versatility align perfectly with Seattle's stretch-heavy run game. His former position coach emphasized Price will thrive in outside zone after playing varied schemes at Notre Dame, predicting he'll "bounce the run outside, get vertical, and attack safeties" with exceptional efficiency. With Zach Charbonnet sidelined until mid-season and Kenneth Walker departed, Price enters a clean path to lead-back touches while learning the system (per Seahawks rookie camp: Why Jadarian Price can thrive in outside zone scheme - The Athletic). Sports Illustrated graded Seattle's overall draft class as the best among the four championship-game teams, praising the additions of versatile safety Bud Clark and cornerback Andre Fuller for depth, alongside mid-round guard Beau Stephens (per Not All of Football's Final Four Teams Nailed the 2026 NFL Draft).

Despite losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle is not dealing with major roster turnover after its Super Bowl run beyond the RB position. The key offensive line retention is coach John Benton, promoted to Senior Offensive Assistant—he was instrumental in the team's 2025 O-line improvement and will ensure continuity in the outside-zone blocking system. The question lingers whether the offense adjusts well to new OC Brian Fleury's system or if losing Kubiak's play-calling and Walker's explosiveness hurts efficiency, but the defensive infrastructure and coaching infrastructure (especially Benton's promotion) remain strong (per Mike Macdonald's 2026 Seahawks coaching staff, and how they kept John Benton).

New OC Brian Fleury has been tight-lipped about significant changes, telling Sam Darnold "it hasn't been too much of a transition" and emphasizing similarities in the scheme. Fleury, a 49ers lifer who knows Darnold from his 2023 backup season in San Francisco, is steeped in the Shanahan system from which Kubiak's scheme was born. Darnold's candid feedback—"It's a lot of the same stuff, but a couple different wrinkles here and there"—suggests the offensive transition will feel seamless through OTAs, reducing uncertainty (per 10 first-year NFL coordinators under most pressure in 2026). Fleury's continuity mindset, combined with Benton's presence, should stabilize short-term execution while Charbonnet and the pass catchers adjust to Price's role.

USA Today's power rankings place the Seahawks at #2 as defending champions, but note "the roster took some free agency hits" and specifically highlight the loss of OC Klint Kubiak with "replacement Brian Fleury has never called plays" as a key uncertainty. The article warns that "Seattle won't sneak up on anyone this year" after their dominant 2025 campaign, and the gap between them and the resurgent Rams feels negligible despite the Seahawks' championship pedigree (per NFL power rankings: There's a new No. 1 after eventful offseason, June trades - USA Today).

On the defensive side, edge rusher Derick Hall signed a three-year, $42–$46.5M extension (with $21M guaranteed) through 2029, signaling confidence in him as a long-term pass-rush contributor. Hall recorded 2.0 sacks in Super Bowl LX and has logged 10.0 sacks over his first three years, fitting the defensive continuity strategy (per Seahawks, Derick Hall agree to three-year contract extension).

The Seahawks' defensive line boasts significant depth and breakout potential entering 2026. Third-year DL Byron Murphy II is poised to make the leap to star status after recording 7 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits in 2025. Additionally, former fifth-round pick Rylie Mills (2025 NFL Draft) is positioned to break out fully healthy, with favorable one-on-one opportunities created by elite pass rushers Leonard Williams, Murphy, and Jarran Reed commanding opposing line attention. (per Seahawks Former Day 3 Selection Dubbed 2026 Breakout Candidate).

The Seahawks replaced departed safety Coby Bryant (lost in free agency) with second-round pick Bud Clark, a versatile safety who can play flexible roles in Mike Macdonald's complex secondary. Clark registered 15 interceptions in his final four college seasons and projects as a seamless fit with an elite athletic profile (4.41 40-time, 38-inch vertical, 10-foot-7 broad jump), replacing Bryant's championship value in the defense (per Five Second-Round NFL Draft Gems Nobody Is Talking About Yet).

On the tight end front, second-year TE A.J. Barner made a significant Year 2 leap in 2025, finishing 16th in receptions (52), 20th in receiving yards (519), and 8th in TDs (6) among NFL tight ends. He was a top-15 fantasy option in 8 different weeks and delivered in crucial moments, including a 4-54-1 line in the Super Bowl. Following offseason shoulder and ankle surgeries, Barner is rehabbing and expected ready for training camp. Under new OC Brian Fleury's TE-heavy offensive approach (influenced by his prior role as a 49ers TE coach), Barner stands to see increased volume in 2026 and projects as a top-12 TE candidate (per 2026 Fantasy Football: Justin Boone's top sleeper picks at TE).

On the offensive side, WR Cooper Kupp (age 33) was brought in mid-2025 as a complementary piece to JSN and proved vital to the Super Bowl run, most notably making a crucial third-and-7 catch in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams with the championship on the line. He logged 47 receptions and 593 yards in the regular season and 6 catches for 61 yards in Super Bowl LX. Kupp has explicitly stated he never considered retiring after the championship and remains motivated for another run in 2026 (per Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp 'never for a second' considered retiring after Super Bowl win).

Ownership transition (July 12): Vinod Khosla and his family agreed to purchase the Seahawks from the Paul Allen estate for a reported $9.6 billion, the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise. Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and founder of Khosla Ventures, is currently a limited partner with the San Francisco 49ers and will divest that stake before the acquisition closes. The deal still requires approval from at least 24 of 32 NFL owners and could close by late August. Paul Allen purchased the team in 1997 for $194 million—the 49-fold increase in valuation over nearly three decades reflects explosive growth in TV rights, sponsorships, and global merchandise revenue. Mike Macdonald's championship culture and the team's immediate selling window (peak value right after the Super Bowl) influenced the timing of the sale. While this ownership change is significant for the franchise's business direction, it does not immediately alter the football operations or coaching staff entering the 2026 season (per Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks sold for NFL record $9.6 billion, you won't... and Khosla family reaches deal to buy Super Bowl champion Seahawks for NFL-record price: report - Fox News).

Linebacker Ernest Jones earned his first NFL Top 100 appearance (No. 97) after a stellar 2025 season that included 126 tackles, 5 interceptions, and second-team All-Pro honors. Jones has become a cornerstone of the defense since his 2024 trade from Tennessee, transforming the unit alongside head coach Mike Macdonald's scheme. (per The respect is noted: Ernest Jones named to NFL Top 100 for first time)

Players (Fantasy-Relevant)

Coaches

Recent News

Open Questions

  • Will rookies Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price live up to their draft capital investment? Source: PFF Running Back Rankings - Assessing All 32 Starters Status: open Last touched: 2026-07-09
  • Can Jadarian Price handle the full rookie RB workload for the Seahawks without regressing, or will Zach Charbonnet's return create committee concerns? Source: 4 Dynasty Startup Draft Values Running Backs 2026 Status: open Last touched: 2026-07-09
  • Does Jadarian Price's draft usage at #32 overall suggest the Seahawks plan to feature him early, or does Kenneth Walker III's successor ramp gradually into role? Source: Not All of Football's Final Four Teams Nailed the 2026 NFL Draft Status: open Last touched: 2026-06-25
  • Will the Seahawks sign a veteran running back replacement (Allgeier or Robinson) or lean on internal options while Zach Charbonnet recovers from his ACL injury? Source: Seahawks lose Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to Chiefs Status: open Last touched: 2026-05-30
  • Will the Seahawks' passing game still funnel through Jaxon Smith-Njigba under a Shanahan-tree coordinator? Source: Seahawks hire 49ers TEs coach Brian Fleury as OC Status: open Last touched: 2026-05-21

What the Experts Are Saying

Matt HarmonWhat WRs To Trust In The First Rounds Of Drafts
Establish The RunWay Too Early 2026 Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Fantasy Points Fantasy FootballDrake Maye and Puka Nacua | Fantasy Football Takeaways to Prep for 2026 (Part 1)