The Seahawks are seeing several familiar names make noise again this season, and the list covers just about every kind of storyline: a possible trade target, an upcoming opponent, a pass rusher on the rise, a former steady hand done for the year, and a quarterback taking care of the ball better than ever.
Riq Woolen is the one who could potentially make the shortest trip back to Seattle. He has quietly put together a strong year in Philadelphia, where he has allowed 51.7 percent of the passes thrown his way to be completed, given up two touchdowns, and surrendered more than 31 receiving yards in a game only once.
The wrinkle is that the Eagles appear to be sliding toward a lost season, and Woolen is only signed for one year. That makes him a name many have already flagged as a trade chip, with Philadelphia likely preferring draft value over keeping the cornerback.
Seattle has a clear need at corner, and Woolen has shown enough to be useful there, even if 12s know not to expect perfection.
Then there’s Kenneth Walker, who will get his shot at Seattle in Week 7 when the Chiefs come to Lumen Field. Walker, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, has been outstanding through five games in Kansas City.
He leads the league with 665 rushing yards and is averaging 133.0 yards per game, also tops in the NFL. At this pace, he is on track to blow past his previous personal bests in several categories.
The Seahawks will face him in person on Sunday, and Seattle hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since October 2024.
Boye Mafe has also kept rolling with his new team, the Cincinnati Bengals. If Seattle fans are comparing his production with Dante Fowler Jr., the contrast is pretty stark.
Fowler has done very little since signing with the Seahawks in free agency, while Mafe has posted three sacks and five tackles for loss in five games. He has been especially hot over his last two outings, piling up two sacks and four TFLs.
Seattle would undoubtedly be better off with the edge rusher who is strong against the run and has always been a threat coming after the quarterback, but the club was never going to meet Cincinnati’s offseason offer of three seasons and as much as $60 million.
Poona Ford’s season is over after a Week 6 injury. The former Seahawks defensive lineman, who arrived in Seattle in 2018 as an undersized, undrafted free agent out of Texas, spent five seasons with the team before becoming a rotational contributor for three clubs since leaving the Pacific Northwest.
He had been playing well for the Los Angeles Rams in 2026 before rupturing his triceps. It’s a tough break for a player who has earned plenty of respect along the way.
Geno Smith is giving the Jets something they haven’t always gotten from him: clean football. After a brutal season with the Las Vegas Raiders and head coach Pete Carroll, Smith has settled in nicely on a bad New York Jets team.
He has thrown only one interception and lost two fumbles, and his interception rate of .6 is the lowest of his career. Smith has also completed 68.9 percent of his passes and thrown seven touchdowns.
The Jets may be 2-4, but the quarterback has been playing winning football.
In Other News...
Seahawks May Finally Get The Backfield Boost They Need Most
Zach Charbonnet is closing in on a season debut, and for a Seahawks offense that has been searching for more traction on the ground, the timing could hardly be better. After recovering from a torn ACL, the running back was designated to return to practice on Oct. 1, and Mike Macdonald said there is a good chance he could be back in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seattle has needed a lift in its running game, and Charbonnets return would add a familiar piece to the backfield at a moment when the team could use one. The final step is whether he gets through the week and onto the field, but the possibility alone gives the Seahawks a different look as they head into a tough matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Trade Deadline Debate Starts With One Urgent Roster Question
Before the Seahawks make any real push toward the trade deadline, the conversation has to start with the middle of the offensive line. Seattle has been linked in recent days to a few big names, including Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack and running backs Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley, but the clearest case may be on the interior. Nelson is drawing attention not just because of his talent, but because his contract situation and fit make him the kind of move that could actually address an obvious need without forcing the club into a long-term gamble.
The Seahawks also have some help on the way in the backfield, with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price expected back from injury. That makes a running back splash less urgent, and it helps explain why Nelson looks like the cleaner fit if Seattle chooses to spend. The teams general manager has also shown a willingness to trade for players on expiring deals and work out new contracts later, which keeps the door open for a deadline move even if the details are still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Linked To A Move That Could Change Their Offense
Jonathan Taylor has suddenly become one of the more interesting names to watch as the trade market starts to take shape around a Colts team that has already slid to 2-4 and is trying to sort out its future. Indianapolis recently fired general manager Chris Ballard, and the front office picture is only getting messier with reports that Peyton Manning could be in the mix as a replacement. Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that teams looking to strengthen their offense are checking in.
The Bengals are one of the clubs linked to Taylor, and the Seahawks have also reportedly inquired, which tells you how much attention a proven running back can draw when a season starts to wobble. For Seattle, it is the kind of phone call that fits a bigger search for answers on offense, even if nothing is settled yet. The real question now is whether Indianapolis is willing to listen seriously, or whether this is just the first wave of interest before the market gets even busier. [Read more 🡒]