The confetti’s still falling in Seattle after the Seahawks’ dramatic Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots, and for good reason - this was a moment fans, players, and coaches will hold onto for a lifetime. But as every NFL team knows, the celebration window is short.
The offseason clock starts ticking fast, and with free agency looming in March and the draft right behind it in April, decisions have to be made. Quickly.
Seattle isn’t just trying to bask in the glow of a championship - they’re aiming to run it back in 2026. And they’ve got a real shot.
The roster is built with a smart blend of ascending young talent still on rookie deals and seasoned veterans hungry for more. But staying on top in the NFL is never easy.
The team that hoists the Lombardi often looks very different by the time training camp rolls around. For a few key figures from this title run, this might’ve been their last ride in a Seahawks uniform.
Let’s take a closer look at three major contributors from this Super Bowl squad who might not be part of the repeat campaign - and why their departures could shape Seattle’s offseason strategy.
Riq Woolen: Flash, Frustration, and an Uncertain Future
Riq Woolen’s rookie season in 2022 felt like the start of something special. He led the league in interceptions with six, earned a Pro Bowl nod, and looked every bit the next great cornerback in Seattle’s legacy of shutdown defenders. But since then, it’s been a rollercoaster - and not the fun kind.
Woolen’s 2024 season was marred by inconsistency and discipline issues. He was benched in Week 15 for violating a team rule, and his snap count dipped as his on-field efficiency waned.
The raw talent is still there, but the reliability? That’s become a question mark.
His performance in the NFC Championship nearly cost Seattle a trip to the Super Bowl. A costly unnecessary roughness penalty gave the Rams new life, and on the very next play, he gave up a long touchdown. In the Super Bowl itself, he was targeted five times and allowed four completions - including a 35-yard score.
Woolen’s physical tools and early production will still attract attention on the open market. Some team might throw $15 million per year his way, betting they can unlock his potential. But the Seahawks, with their depth in the secondary and a clear understanding of what Woolen is - and isn’t - might be ready to let someone else take that gamble.
Klint Kubiak: A One-Year Turnaround Artist Moves On
This one was inevitable the moment the Raiders came calling. Klint Kubiak’s lone season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator was nothing short of impressive.
He took over a unit with a new quarterback, operated much of the year without DK Metcalf, and still managed to craft an offense that clicked when it mattered most. That’s not just scheme - that’s adaptability, leadership, and vision.
Kubiak’s success stands in stark contrast to the struggles of his predecessor, Ryan Grubb, whose offense never found rhythm the season before. Kubiak not only stabilized the group - he elevated it. And now, he’s headed to Las Vegas to take over as the Raiders’ head coach, replacing none other than Pete Carroll, who had a brief, turbulent stint there in 2025.
One of the biggest questions now: who, if anyone, will Kubiak bring with him? Offensive line coach John Benton is a strong candidate.
He and Kubiak worked together with the Saints in 2024, and Benton deserves credit for transforming Seattle’s offensive line from a liability into a strength. If Benton follows Kubiak to Vegas, Seattle’s new offensive staff will have big shoes to fill - again.
Rashid Shaheed: The Sparkplug Seattle Can’t Afford to Lose
If there’s one player who quietly swung multiple games for Seattle this season, it’s Rashid Shaheed. The wide receiver and return specialist brought electricity every time he touched the ball - and he did it in the biggest moments.
The standout example? Week 16 against the Rams.
Down 30-14, Seattle needed a miracle. Shaheed delivered, breaking off a punt return touchdown that flipped the momentum and helped spark a comeback.
That’s the kind of game-changing play you can’t coach - and can’t easily replace.
Shaheed’s connection with Kubiak goes back to their time together in New Orleans, and that familiarity could make him a target for the Raiders in free agency. Kubiak knows exactly how to deploy him - not just on special teams, but as a versatile weapon in the offense. That’s a real threat to Seattle’s hopes of bringing him back.
General manager John Schneider has some tough cap calls ahead, but keeping Shaheed in the fold should be a priority. He’s not just a return man - he’s a momentum-shifter, a field-position weapon, and a guy who can flip a game with one touch.
What’s Next for the Champs?
Seattle’s front office has built a team capable of sustained success, but the NFL doesn’t wait for anyone. Free agency will test the Seahawks’ depth and their ability to retain the right pieces. Woolen, Kubiak, and Shaheed each represent a different kind of challenge - a talented but inconsistent player, a rising coach on the move, and a playmaker who may be tough to keep.
Winning one Super Bowl is hard. Winning two in a row?
That takes not just talent, but smart roster management and a little bit of luck. The Seahawks have the foundation.
Now comes the hard part: keeping it all together.