The Seahawks didn’t make a move at the trade deadline, and that decision leaves Mike Macdonald staring at a problem that could matter more than anything Sam Darnold does under center.
While the San Francisco 49ers were the only NFC West team to act, Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams stood pat. The 49ers added wide receiver Keenan Allen to help a receiver group dealing with injuries, which made sense for a team already viewed as a Super Bowl contender. For Seattle, though, the quiet deadline means the roster they have is the roster they’re riding with.
That puts even more pressure on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who now looks set for the busiest season of his career. It also means the Seahawks are not getting outside help for a passing game that could have used it.
Still, the bigger issue in Seattle isn’t the offense. It’s the defense, and specifically what happens after opponents cross the 20-yard line.
Outside the red zone, the Seahawks have been nasty. They’ve done a strong job of keeping offenses from piecing together long drives and getting into scoring position.
But once teams do get there, the whole thing falls apart. Seattle entered Week 10 ranked last in the league in red zone efficiency, and before Week 9 the Seahawks had allowed touchdowns on 15 of their opponents’ first 18 red-zone trips, a league-worst 83% rate.
There was at least one encouraging sign against the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle went 2-0 in the red zone, keeping Arizona out of the end zone twice and forcing one field goal and one turnover on downs. The Cardinals aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, but the Seahawks still needed that kind of stop.
That’s why the red zone looms larger than Darnold’s struggles right now. Even if the quarterback play doesn’t improve, the Seahawks can still keep themselves in the hunt if the defense tightens up where it counts. If not, the season could slip away because of what happens when opponents get inside the 20.
Seattle’s offense may have questions, and the receiver room is thin. But the real test for Macdonald is on defense, where the Seahawks have to turn those red-zone breakdowns into stops. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10, they’ll get another chance, especially with Kirk Cousins gone.
If Seattle is going to be taken seriously as a contender again, this is the part they have to fix.
In Other News...
Seahawks Quietly Made A Deadline Move That Could Raise Their Ceiling
The trade deadline brought a wave of headline-grabbing moves across the league, and the Seahawks were part of that shuffle in a way that could matter well beyond November. Among the most interesting additions was Quenton Nelson, a move that gives Seattle a proven interior force and a chance to strengthen the kind of foundation that can travel in the postseason.
For a team trying to raise its ceiling, that kind of upgrade can be just as important as adding a splashy skill player. Seattle now has another piece that can change how it protects the quarterback and controls the line of scrimmage, and the real question is how quickly the new look can settle in as the playoff picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Quiet Deadline Could Haunt An Offense Leaning Too Hard On JSN
Seattles quiet approach at the November 10 trade deadline left the roster largely unchanged, even after the team had already made its big move for Quenton Nelson before the cutoff. For a Seahawks offense that has leaned heavily on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the lack of another meaningful addition stood out, especially with the passing game still looking for more reliable help beyond its top target.
Josh Downs had become a name to watch after requesting a trade from the Indianapolis Colts, and he fit the kind of receiver the Seahawks could have used to lighten the load. Instead, the deadline passed without Seattle adding another pass-catching option, leaving the offense to keep searching for answers internally while the rest of the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Emmanwori Could Be Central To Seattles Toughest Defensive Test
Nick Emmanworis recent showing against Arizona gave the Seahawks another look at just how valuable his versatility can be. The defensive back moved around the formation, handled multiple assignments and matched up well with tight end Trey McBride, giving Seattle a flexible piece to lean on as Mike Macdonald continues to mix and match his secondary.
Macdonald was complimentary of the way Emmanwori handled those responsibilities, and the timing matters with Las Vegas next on the schedule. Fully recovered from the ankle injury that had slowed him, Emmanwori is expected to fill a similar role again, which could make him a key part of Seattles plan in what looks like one of its tougher defensive tests. [Read more 🡒]