The Seahawks got a useful reminder in Week 7, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for the whole picture. The San Francisco 49ers finally dropped their first game of the season, and while Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams also came away with wins, the gap in the NFC West still looks real.
That’s why the 49ers’ loss needs to be viewed carefully. It might have been a one-week stumble.
It might point to something bigger. Either way, Seattle can’t bank on the idea that San Francisco is suddenly unraveling, because help is on the way for the 49ers just as it is for the Seahawks.
San Francisco has been forced to grind through a rough stretch on offense, especially at wide receiver. Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling are all out right now. Christian Kirk, who arrived in the offseason, returned in Week 7 but was used sparingly.
Even with that kind of hit, Brock Purdy has remained an MVP candidate, and the 49ers were 5-0 before this past weekend’s loss. That alone tells you how sturdy this team has been through the noise.
The reinforcements are close, too. Robinson and Samuel are expected back after the 49ers' Week 8 bye and should be ready for the Las Vegas Raiders a week later. Evans is also expected back not long after the bye, though the exact week is less certain.
That’s the part Seattle has to respect. The 49ers are not on the verge of disappearing, unless things completely fall apart at quarterback.
San Francisco may not have the kind of superstar pass-catcher Seattle has in Smith-Njigba, but Evans remains a strong wideout even later in his career, and the 49ers could have used him badly against the Atlanta Hawks. Still, the Niners have enough quality depth at receiver to keep their offense moving.
And the bigger point is this: the 49ers are not the only team about to get offensive help back.
In Other News...
Quenton Nelson Just Raised The Stakes For Seattles Offensive Line
The Seahawks made a major move to stabilize the middle of their offensive line, landing guard Quenton Nelson from the Colts for a pair of future draft picks. Seattle expects Nelson to step in at left guard, and the trade immediately changes the look of a unit that has been searching for more consistency up front. For a team trying to protect its quarterback and create a cleaner run game, the addition carries obvious weight.
Nelson is now in the middle of the usual post-trade adjustment period, learning a new offensive scheme and getting acquainted with new teammates. The Seahawks are giving him support as he settles in, but the ripple effect is already clear: his arrival forces a reshuffle along the line and raises the standard for everyone around him. How quickly that group clicks will be one of the more important early storylines for Seattle. [Read more 🡒]
Rashid Shaheed Trade Still Looks Worth It For Seahawks
The Seahawks brought in Rashid Shaheed during the 2025 season to give their offense and special teams a jolt, and the move already looks like one of those midseason swings that can pay off in more than one way. Shaheed was part of Seattles Super Bowl run last season, offering useful production as both a receiver and a return man while giving the team a speed element it had been looking for.
This season has not started as explosively on the receiving side, with his production down so far, but Seattle still has a player who can tilt field position every time he touches a kick or punt. For a team that values hidden yardage and game-changing speed, that kind of versatility keeps the trade looking smart even if the box score has been quieter lately. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Backfield Suddenly Has A Monday Night Twist Fans Need To See
Jadarian Prices return from injured reserve gave Seattles backfield an immediate jolt on the latest injury report, and it came with the kind of timing that can change how the Seahawks approach a game plan. Mike Macdonald said Price could be in line to play in the upcoming game, which adds another layer to a running back room that has already been under the microscope as the team tries to sort out who is available and how much work each player can handle.
The bigger wrinkle is Zach Charbonnet, who went from full participation to limited work in practice, leaving his status less certain than it looked earlier in the week. Elsewhere on the report, Charles Cross, Rashid Shaheed and Uchenna Nwosu were held out, while Leonard Williams and Drake Thomas moved all the way to full participation, giving Seattle a mixed health picture heading into Monday night and a few lineup decisions still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]