The Seattle Seahawks are riding high off their Super Bowl victory, but as the confetti settles, the 2026 offseason presents its own set of hurdles. With key players departing in free agency, the team faced the daunting task of retooling with just four draft picks. Yet, in true Seahawks fashion, General Manager John Schneider worked his magic, turning those four picks into eight, and some late-round selections might just surprise us with their immediate impact.
The offseason moves have had varying effects on the players, with some coming out as clear winners while others face uncertain futures. Let’s dive into who came out on top and who might be feeling the heat.
Winners from the Seattle Seahawks 2026 Offseason
Wide Receiver Jake Bobo
Jake Bobo might not be a household name nationwide, but in Seattle, he's the kind of player that championship teams are built on. While his stats might not jump off the page, Bobo's contributions go beyond numbers.
He’s the guy who grinds it out on special teams and steps up in crucial moments, like his touchdown snag in the NFC Championship against the Rams. The Seahawks recognized his value, matching an offer from the Jacksonville Jaguars to keep him in Seattle with a $5.5 million deal over two years.
For a role player, that's a solid investment, and Bobo's versatility makes him a key piece in the Seahawks' puzzle.
Defensive Lineman Rylie Mills
Rylie Mills' journey with the Seahawks is a testament to resilience. After a knee injury at Notre Dame nearly derailed his draft prospects, Mills found a home in Seattle as a fifth-round pick.
His limited action in the Super Bowl, where he recorded a sack and a tackle for loss, hinted at his potential. The Seahawks' decision not to heavily invest in the defensive line this offseason signals their belief in Mills' ability to step up in 2026.
It’s a vote of confidence that could see him become a cornerstone of Mike Macdonald's defense.
Linebacker Drake Thomas
Drake Thomas is another player who has capitalized on the Seahawks’ faith in their current roster. Coming in as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Thomas battled through injuries to earn a starting spot by Week 4 of last season.
His performance was so impressive that it relegated former starter Tyice Knight to a backup role. While Thomas needs to improve his tackling efficiency, his prowess in pass coverage and ability to pressure the quarterback make him a standout on a defense that doesn’t blitz often.
With a full season ahead, Thomas could be poised for a breakout year.
Losers from the Seattle Seahawks 2026 Offseason
Running Back Zach Charbonnet
For Zach Charbonnet, the offseason has been a tough pill to swallow. After sustaining a knee injury in the playoffs, his return is not expected until December at the earliest.
The departure of Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs left a significant gap in the backfield, prompting the Seahawks to draft Jadarian Price in the first round. Price's potential as an explosive runner is undeniable, but his ability to catch and block will be tested in training camp.
Meanwhile, the signings of Emanuel Wilson and the healthy return of George Holani add depth to the position, potentially pushing Charbonnet towards free agency next offseason.
Seattle Seahawks Front Office
Success can sometimes come with a downside, as the Seahawks' front office discovered this offseason. General Manager John Schneider's impressive track record attracted other teams looking to replicate Seattle’s winning formula.
Assistant GM Nolan Teasley was poached by the Minnesota Vikings to serve as their new GM, taking with him Trent Kirchner, a long-time Seahawks scout and advisor. This brain drain leaves Schneider with the challenge of rebuilding his front office, a task that’s easier said than done given the caliber of talent that’s departed.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, the Seahawks' ability to adapt and overcome will be tested once again. With a mix of promising young talent and strategic moves, Seattle is poised to tackle whatever challenges the new season throws their way.
In Other News...
3 Overlooked Seahawks Could Become Mike Macdonald Favorites Fast
Chazz Surratt, Rylie Mills and Rodney Thomas II are the kind of under-the-radar additions that can matter more in January than in September. Surratt has already carved out a real lane for himself by helping on special teams, the sort of work that rarely grabs headlines but usually earns trust inside a building. Mills, meanwhile, brings a different kind of intrigue after flashing in limited action and giving Seattle a glimpse of how disruptive he can be when he is on the field.
Rodney Thomas II fits the same theme in a different way, a veteran safety looking for a clean reset in a system that asks a lot from the back end. Under Mike Macdonald, there is room for players like this to move quickly if they can take to the details and give the staff reliable snaps when called upon. For a Seahawks team trying to stockpile dependable depth, each of these three has a path to becoming far more important than the outside noise suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Drake Thomas Just Changed The Seahawks Depth Conversation
Drake Thomas went from an undrafted flier in 2023 to one of the more useful pieces on Seattles defense, and the climb has forced a real rethink of the Seahawks linebacker depth. Concerns about his size and explosiveness were part of why he slipped out of the draft, but his football intelligence and versatility kept earning him more trust as the season went on, until his role was no longer easy to treat like that of a backup.
The Seahawks clearly noticed, too, by re-signing him after the breakout season and locking in a player who fits what they want on defense. Thomas gave Seattle production, reliability and the kind of flexibility that matters in a modern scheme, which is why his rise now feels less like a pleasant surprise and more like a roster decision the team had to make. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Backfield Buzz Just Made Charbonnets Camp Status Even Bigger
The Seahawks backfield is drawing extra attention as training camp nears, and not just because of the usual summer churn at running back. ESPNs Jeremy Fowler noted that rookie Jadarian Price has already caught the teams eye with his open-field vision, while Seattle also starts sorting through broader offensive changes under Brian Fleury, including more motion and shifts designed to keep defenses guessing.
For a group that already has several moving parts, Zach Charbonnets recovery remains the swing factor in how the depth chart takes shape early in camp. Fowler also highlighted encouraging chemistry between Sam Darnold and Rashee Shaheed as the offense evolves, but the real question for Seattle is how much clarity it gets before the roster ramps up with rookies reporting first and veterans joining soon after. [Read more 🡒]