The Seattle Seahawks have officially flipped the script on their 2025 season. What started with question marks and cautious optimism has evolved into a playoff run that’s turned heads across the league - not just in the Pacific Northwest.
This isn’t just a feel-good story anymore. It’s a legitimate contender demanding serious attention.
To break it all down, Garret Greenlee of Football Analysis joined The Hawks Eye Podcast for a deep dive into where Seattle stands heading into the Divisional Round. Greenlee’s been bullish on Seattle for a while, and now, with the postseason in full swing, his early-season optimism looks more like foresight than fandom.
Exceeding Expectations - Not Just Meeting Them
One of the big questions on the table: Did Seattle simply meet expectations, or did they blow past them?
The answer leans heavily toward the latter. From the jump, Mike Macdonald’s first year as head coach has been about building something sustainable - and it’s showing.
The rookie class has contributed early and often, the offense has found its identity, and the defense has grown into a unit that can dictate games. This isn’t a team that’s just happy to be here.
They’re built to compete now.
Greenlee brings a league-wide lens to the conversation, and when you zoom out, Seattle’s progress becomes even more impressive. In a year where parity reigns and consistency is hard to find, the Seahawks have quietly become one of the most complete teams left standing.
Sam Darnold: From Question Mark to Franchise Answer?
Let’s talk about the quarterback. Because if you’re talking about the 2025 Seahawks, you have to talk about Sam Darnold.
The narrative around Darnold has shifted dramatically. This time last year, the question was whether he could even hold down the starting job.
Now? We’re talking about where he ranks among playoff quarterbacks - and whether Seattle has found its long-term guy.
Greenlee doesn’t shy away from the nuance. “I’d probably say 9-12 somewhere in there, 8-12,” he said, referencing Darnold’s place in the QB hierarchy.
“Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are up there. Lamar’s up there, Stafford’s up there… Even if you wanted to put Sam as high as six or seven, by all means.”
That’s not hyperbole. The quarterback landscape is wide open right now, and Darnold’s name belongs in that second tier - the group of guys who can win you games in January if the supporting cast holds up.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Darnold threw 14 interceptions this season, third-most in the league.
There are moments - usually once a game - where he locks in on a target and forces the issue. And more often than not, those plays come at the worst possible time.
That volatility is part of the package right now.
Still, the highs have been very high. Greenlee pointed to Darnold’s first half against Washington as one of the best quarterback performances of the past decade.
“The peaks are right up there with the best of them,” he said. “But the valleys are a little lower than you’d like for a guy in that 6-10 range.”
So where does that leave Seattle? According to Greenlee: “If you had to ask me right now, is Sam Darnold a franchise quarterback? Yes.”
That’s a big statement - and one that could shape the Seahawks’ future for years to come.
Lessons from Wild Card Weekend
The Wild Card round gave us plenty to digest. Some teams showed us exactly who they are.
Others cracked under pressure. And for Seattle, it was a chance to sit back, study, and get healthier.
Those lessons matter now, because the next test is a familiar one: a playoff showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.
This isn’t just another chapter in a long-standing rivalry. It’s a matchup loaded with playoff implications, schematic wrinkles, and high-stakes execution. And this time, it feels different.
Seahawks vs. 49ers: A New Chapter in a Classic Rivalry
Seattle and San Francisco know each other well. But this version of the Seahawks is bringing a different energy into the Divisional Round - and the Niners are dealing with some key absences.
George Kittle, often called a sixth offensive lineman for the way he blocks, won’t be on the field. That’s a big loss, not just schematically, but emotionally. He’s a tone-setter, and his absence will be felt.
Greenlee didn’t hold back when discussing Seattle’s chances. “This is one of the most complete teams,” he said.
“Seattle’s going to have to make mistakes [to lose]. I fully expect them to be locked and loaded.”
He pointed to the last time these two teams met - when San Francisco managed just 173 yards and nine first downs with the top seed in the NFC on the line. Now, Seattle comes in rested and confident.
“Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, that secondary, that pass rush… Good luck, man,” Greenlee added. “Seattle should comfortably win this game.”
That’s a bold take. But it speaks to the belief this team has earned over the course of the season - not just from fans, but from analysts who’ve been watching closely.
The Klint Kubiak Factor
You can’t talk about Seattle’s offensive resurgence without mentioning offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. His name is starting to pop up in head coaching conversations, and that’s no accident.
Kubiak has helped turn this offense into a balanced, efficient unit that plays to Darnold’s strengths. The interest he’s drawing around the league is a reflection of how far Seattle’s offense has come - and a reminder that success often comes with the challenge of keeping your staff intact.
Wrapping It All Up
The show closed with a rapid-fire 2-Minute Drill and live Q&A, touching on everything from playoff predictions to roster-building philosophies. It was the kind of football conversation that goes beyond the box score - smart, insightful, and grounded in what’s actually happening on the field.
Bottom line: the Seahawks are no longer flying under the radar. They’re here, they’re dangerous, and they’re built to make noise.
Whether or not this run ends in a deep playoff push, one thing is clear - Seattle is no longer just a team on the rise. They’ve arrived.