The Seahawks didn’t chase a headline-grabbing move at the trade deadline, and that decision leaves one player carrying a heavier load: Tory Horton.
Seattle already made its big midseason swing by trading for guard Quenton Nelson, but the return on that move is still up in the air. Nelson played only one game before minor knee surgery, and if he doesn’t get back to his Pro Bowl level quickly, the Seahawks will have spent serious draft capital for what could end up being a 10-game rental.
That kind of risk clearly mattered as John Schneider worked through the final hours of the deadline. He had already dealt away third- and fifth-round picks, and even with supplemental picks coming to Seattle in 2027, the front office didn’t seem eager to part with much more. The message from the coaching staff appears to have been that one answer is already in the building.
So while fans were dreaming about possible splash additions, Seattle stayed quiet. There were no major swings, and not even any medium ones.
A Sam Darnold return to the Vikings would have been a wild storyline, but his injuries likely shut that down before it ever got rolling. The Seahawks also may have had other targets in mind, including the Colts’ Josh Downs, who is now with the Chiefs.
And there was at least some thought about Brian Thomas Jr., though the price for a deal like that would have been steep.
That leaves Horton in the spotlight. Rashid Shaheed may return soon, but he hasn’t provided much as a receiver so far, with 16 catches in nine games and no touchdowns.
Cooper Kupp has been solid, but his numbers are nowhere near his peak. He can help as a dependable No. 3 and as a voice on the field, but that alone doesn’t solve Seattle’s problem.
Horton flashed real value as a rookie before a cracked tibia ended his season after eight games. In that stretch, he caught 13 passes, with seven going for first downs and five for touchdowns. He also handled 16 punt returns and took one 95 yards for a score.
This season, though, Seattle still hasn’t seen that version of Horton. He has already been charged with two drops after having none as a rookie, and he also appeared to run a less-than-crisp route that led to one of Sam Darnold’s interceptions in the Week 6 loss to Denver. He did look good against the Cardinals, but that test was hardly the toughest one on the schedule.
For now, the Seahawks are betting that the 2025 version of Tory Horton is still on the way back. Given the way they handled the deadline, they need that bet to pay off.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Bigger Problem Than Just Sundays Opponent
The Seahawks opened the week with more than just a matchup to sort through, as their first injury report ahead of the Raiders brought a mixed bag on both sides of the ball. Backup quarterback Drew Lock is working through elbow and oblique issues, though he is making progress and could be in line to start. On the positive side, Rashid Shaheed was back to full participation, giving Seattle at least one healthy offensive piece as the team begins to settle in for the week.
The bigger concern is up front and on defense, where Quenton Nelson and Charles Cross both sat out because of injuries, while Leonard Williams remained out with a stinger. Derick Hall was limited by a back injury and Uchenna Nwosu was limited with an ankle issue, leaving Seattle with several key names still in question before facing a Raiders team that appears to be trending toward near full strength. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Still Need A Breakout And One Young Player Has Opening
The Seahawks have spent much of this season waiting for one of their younger players to turn promise into production, and injuries around the roster have made that search a little harder. Even so, there are still chances for someone to seize a larger role, especially with the offense looking for another spark beyond the steady work already coming from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Jadarian Price is one of the names worth watching this week. The rookie running back has an opening to make a real impression against a weak rushing defense, and Seattle could use a breakout from a player still early in his NFL journey. If he can take advantage, it would give the Seahawks another useful piece at a time when they are still trying to identify who can help them most down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Pass Rush Has A Chance To Wreck A New Raiders Plan
The Raiders are turning the page to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza after moving on from Kirk Cousins, and that gives Seattles defense a fresh target heading into the matchup. Byron Murphy II and Mike Macdonald both sounded confident the Seahawks can make life difficult for Mendoza in his first NFL start, which is exactly the kind of test Seattles front likes to present when a young passer is thrown into the fire.
Klint Kubiak has already praised Mendozas preparation, but the Seahawks will be trying to turn a well-studied week into a long afternoon once the game starts. For Seattle, the bigger question is whether that pass rush can do more than just hurry a rookie - whether it can disrupt the Raiders new plan before it has a chance to settle in. [Read more 🡒]