Seahawks’ Defensive Masterclass in Super Bowl LX Could Influence Cowboys’ Offseason Plans
Super Bowl LX is in the books, and it was the Seattle Seahawks who walked away with the Lombardi Trophy, taking down the New England Patriots 29-13 in a game that was anything but a shootout. The headline?
Defense. Seattle’s unit didn’t just show up-they took over.
From the opening whistle, the Seahawks defense dictated the tempo, flustering the Patriots offense and forcing three turnovers. It was the kind of performance that reminded us all of a timeless football truth: as flashy as high-powered offenses can be, it’s defense that often seals championships.
Seattle’s path to the title was paved by a defense that peaked at the right time, and in the biggest game of the season, they delivered. New England, for its part, also rode its defense to the Super Bowl. But when it came down to it, Seattle’s pressure-heavy scheme-led by defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald-proved too much for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who was sacked six times.
And while this was a crowning moment for the Seahawks, it might also have ripple effects across the league-particularly in Dallas.
Could George Pickens Be Trade Bait?
The Dallas Cowboys are entering a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest questions revolves around wide receiver George Pickens. After a breakout year in his first season with the team, Pickens is expected to receive the franchise tag. But with the Cowboys already having extended CeeDee Lamb to the tune of four years and $136 million, there’s growing chatter that Dallas may not be ready to commit long-term to another big-money receiver.
Pickens was everything the Cowboys hoped for and then some in 2025. With Lamb sidelined for part of the year, Pickens stepped into the WR1 role and thrived-posting career-highs across the board: 137 targets, 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. He was a consistent threat, a dynamic playmaker, and a perfect complement to Lamb when both were healthy.
But here’s the dilemma: can the Cowboys afford to keep both?
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently floated the idea that Dallas could be open to trading Pickens, noting the team’s history of moving star players for draft capital. It’s not just cap math-it’s roster construction. The Cowboys have holes to plug, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and this Super Bowl may have just given them a blueprint to follow.
A Super Bowl That Spoke Volumes
If you’re Dallas, watching Seattle dominate with defense had to be eye-opening. The Seahawks didn’t win because they had the flashiest offense or the biggest names at wide receiver.
In fact, Jaxon Smith-Njigba-who had a monster season and took home Offensive Player of the Year honors with 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns-was largely neutralized in the Super Bowl. He finished with just four catches on ten targets for 27 yards.
Same story for New England’s Stefon Diggs. The Patriots gave him $63.5 million to be their go-to guy, but he was held to three catches for 37 yards in the biggest game of the year.
That’s not a knock on those players-it’s a testament to how dominant the defenses were. In a league that’s often obsessed with offensive fireworks, this Super Bowl was a reminder that elite defenses still win rings.
And that’s where the Cowboys come in. With Lamb already locked in as their WR1, and with defensive needs looming large, trading Pickens could be a strategic move-not just a financial one. The idea of flipping a high-end receiver for premium draft picks or proven defensive talent suddenly doesn’t sound so far-fetched, especially after watching what Seattle just pulled off.
The Bottom Line
George Pickens is a rising star and a key piece of the Cowboys’ offense. But the NFL is a league of tough decisions, and Dallas is staring one in the face. With one massive receiver contract already on the books and clear needs on defense, the Cowboys may have to choose between keeping an elite WR duo or building a defense that can carry them in January.
Seattle just showed the league how it’s done. Now it’s up to Dallas to decide whether they want to follow that lead-or double down on the offensive firepower.
Either way, this offseason just got a whole lot more interesting in Big D.