The Seattle Seahawks are one win away from the Super Bowl, and if you’ve been following their season, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. They finished with the best record in the NFC, and now the accolades are starting to stack up like sacks on third down.
Two players are finalists for major year-end awards, and both head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider are in the mix as well. Schneider and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba have already taken home PFWA hardware-GM of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, respectively.
And the recognition doesn’t stop there.
A recent ESPN.com feature broke down the top 100 MVP candidates across the league-not just the usual suspects at quarterback, but players from every position who’ve made a real impact. The list, put together by analyst Seth Walder, isn’t about who’s going to win MVP.
It’s about who’s mattered most to their team’s success. And the Seahawks?
They showed up in force.
Eight Seahawks cracked the top 100, with representation on both sides of the ball. That’s not just a strong showing-it’s a statement.
Let’s start at the top. Jaxon Smith-Njigba landed at No. 8 overall, the highest-ranked non-quarterback on the list.
That’s fitting for a receiver who’s been a game-changer all season and just earned Offensive Player of the Year honors from the Pro Football Writers of America. JSN didn’t just rack up stats-he tilted coverages, extended drives, and gave Seattle a true WR1 presence that defenses had to respect every snap.
On the other end of the list, quarterback Sam Darnold checked in at No. 95, 16th among quarterbacks. That may seem low for a playoff QB who ranks top 10 in yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and success rate.
But this ranking isn’t a knock on Darnold-it’s more a reflection of how complete the Seahawks are across the board. When your defense is locking teams down and your skill players are winning matchups all over the field, the quarterback doesn’t always have to carry the load.
Still, Darnold’s steady hand has been a major part of Seattle’s success.
What really jumps off the page, though, is the defensive depth. Six Seahawks defenders made the top 100, and they span every level of the field.
That’s not just impressive-it’s rare. It speaks to the kind of balance and versatility that’s made this unit the best in the league.
Need pressure off the edge? DeMarcus Lawrence is your guy, checking in at No. 70 overall and 10th among edge rushers-a brutally competitive position group.
At linebacker, Ernest Jones IV is ranked 70th as well, but 5th among second-level defenders. He’s been the heartbeat of the defense, flying sideline to sideline and anchoring the middle.
In the secondary, Devon Witherspoon comes in at No. 57-6th among all corners. That might seem a touch low for a player who’s been locking down WR1s all year, but it still puts him among the league’s elite. And at safety, rookie Nick Emmanwori grabs the 100th spot overall, ranking 6th among safeties despite being thrust into a starting role with Julian Love sidelined for half the season.
And speaking of the trenches, Seattle’s interior line might be the best in football. Leonard Williams (No. 36) and Byron Murphy II (No. 62) both rank inside the top six among defensive tackles.
Williams, in particular, has been a force-disrupting the run, collapsing the pocket, and setting the tone up front. Together, they’ve made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks and opened things up for Seattle’s edge rushers and linebackers.
What’s even more impressive? This list doesn’t even include guys like Jarran Reed, Drake Thomas, Boye Mafe, or Ty Okada-players who’ve played meaningful snaps and graded well across the board.
Derick Hall and Tyrese Knight aren’t mentioned either, but they’ve been steady rotational pieces. And Julian Love, now healthy, finished 4th in safety rankings according to PFF, yet didn’t crack the top 100.
That’s how deep this defense is. Seattle doesn’t just rely on a few stars.
They come at you in waves-waves of talent, toughness, and discipline, all orchestrated by Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde. There’s no weak link.
Every position group has a difference-maker.
And let’s not overlook the front office. John Schneider just won GM of the Year, and it’s easy to see why.
Of the eight Seahawks on Walder’s top 100 list, three were acquired this past year. Two more arrived in 2024.
That’s five elite-level players added in just two offseasons. It’s not just about drafting well-it’s about identifying talent that fits the system, building a cohesive roster, and pulling the right levers at the right time.
The bottom line? Seattle isn’t just winning games-they’re building something sustainable.
With blue-chip talent on both sides of the ball, elite coaching, and a front office that’s hitting on all cylinders, this team isn’t just a 14-3 juggernaut. They’re a blueprint for how to build a contender in today’s NFL.
And now, they’re one win away from the big stage.