Even champions have their Achilles' heels, and the Seattle Seahawks are no exception. Fresh off their 2025 Super Bowl triumph, the Seahawks find themselves in a familiar position-being the hunted. Rivals are dissecting their game film, looking for any chinks in the armor.
Seattle's 2025 season was nothing short of legendary, culminating in a decisive 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Macdonald, they dominated the NFC West and clinched the NFC’s top seed.
The defense was a powerhouse, with Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon leading a unit that consistently stifled opponents. On the offensive side, Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerged as a superstar, racking up an impressive 1,793 receiving yards. The team transitioned smoothly from Geno Smith and DK Metcalf to a new era with quarterback Sam Darnold and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
Seattle's playoff run was a masterclass in discipline, as they became the first Super Bowl champion to navigate an entire postseason without a single turnover. However, beneath this success, a persistent issue lingered: inconsistency in the interior offensive line.
For years, Seattle has grappled with shaky interior protection. While their tackles have held their own and the skill players have dazzled, the revolving door at center has kept the offense from reaching its full potential.
Heading into 2026, this is a problem they can't afford to ignore. A championship-caliber offense requires a reliable center who can read blitzes, communicate protections, and handle elite interior rushers. The NFC West is stacked with defensive tackles who can wreak havoc from the inside, and in the playoffs, interior pressure can be a season-ender.
During their Super Bowl run, there were moments when A-gap pressure forced hurried throws. While it didn’t derail them in 2025, relying on that luck again would be risky.
Fortunately, Seattle is in an enviable position. With a projected $63.2 million to $73.2 million in cap space, they have the financial flexibility to address this issue. General manager John Schneider has skillfully managed the cap, ensuring room to maneuver aggressively in the market.
While they face important decisions regarding extensions for Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon, as well as clarifying Walker III’s future, the Seahawks are well-positioned to make a splash. If they want to secure elite talent in the trenches, they have the resources to do so.
Enter Tyler Linderbaum, a prime target for Seattle. With three Pro Bowl appearances in his first four seasons, Linderbaum is a proven commodity, known for his durability and technical prowess. His skill set is a perfect match for Seattle’s offensive scheme, excelling in lateral quickness and balance-key traits for zone-blocking systems.
Linderbaum’s experience in Baltimore’s disciplined system brings a toughness that aligns with Seattle’s identity shift toward grit and precision. His presence would elevate Seattle’s run game, providing Walker III with cleaner lanes and enhancing drive sustainability.
For quarterback Sam Darnold, having a center who commands protections and stabilizes the A-gaps is invaluable. It allows the offense to unlock deeper route concepts and fully develop play-action, preventing the kind of internal chaos that can derail a championship defense.
While flashy names like edge rushers and skill-position stars may grab headlines, Seattle’s path to another championship runs through the trenches. Investing in Linderbaum isn’t just about adding talent; it’s about ensuring the sustainability of their success.
The Seahawks have the defense, the skill players, and the cap flexibility. Now, they need permanence in the middle to solidify their dynasty aspirations.