The Seahawks are walking into Week 8 with a chance to build on a 20-3 win over the Chiefs, and Tory Horton may be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the moment. With Seattle dealing with injury concerns at receiver and returner, the second-year wideout is in line for a much larger workload against the Bears on Monday Night Football.
That matters because Chicago brings a defense that can force quick decisions. The Bears are one of the more blitz-heavy teams in the league, and Seattle’s recent trade for Quenton Nelson only adds to the urgency of getting the ball out fast. Nelson’s arrival from the Colts is supposed to help both the ground game and the passing game, giving Sam Darnold a better chance to handle pressure and find open targets.
Horton fits that kind of assignment. He has already shown he can separate with speed and route-running, even if the opportunities have been limited.
Through six games, he has five catches on 10 targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. His chances have been thin because of the offense’s regression in play-calling, quarterback play, offensive line stability and lack of explosiveness in the run game.
Now the door is open wider. Rashid Shaheed is out, and Horton is expected to make his second start of the season.
If Chicago commits extra attention to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Horton could become the next option Darnold leans on when he needs a quick throw. The Bears’ secondary is among the worst in the league, which gives Horton a real shot to do damage with his speed and hands.
There’s also a special teams angle here. With Shaheed unavailable, Seattle likely turns Horton into its leading kickoff and punt returner.
He already handled two kickoffs for 60 yards in Week 7 against Kansas City, and he has a track record of explosive returns. Last season, he brought back three punts for 113 yards, including a 95-yard touchdown return in the 44-13 win over the Saints in Week 3.
Horton has reached 48 receiving yards twice in his career, and last season he scored a receiving touchdown in four games. This matchup could give him a chance to top that kind of production, especially after his breakout 38-14 win over the Commanders before the shin injury ended his year.
For Seattle, this is more than just a fill-in role. Horton has a chance to prove he belongs in the lineup full-time, and a strong showing could quiet any talk about the Seahawks needing to chase another receiver such as Brian Thomas Jr.
In Other News...
Rashid Shaheeds Seahawks Role Just Got Even More Complicated
Rashid Shaheeds arrival in Seattle was supposed to add another layer of speed and versatility to the Seahawks offense, and for stretches this season it has. He has played in seven games, made an impact on special teams and found the end zone once on the ground, but he still has yet to catch a receiving touchdown as the team has worked through how best to deploy him.
Now the picture gets murkier with Shaheed ruled out for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears because of a knee injury. With coaches and the quarterback already weighing how his role might expand in the offense, the missed opportunity comes at a frustrating time, leaving Seattle to keep sorting out where Shaheed fits once he is healthy enough to return. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Got A Needed Monday Night Boost In The Backfield
The Seahawks are getting a timely lift in the backfield as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Bears. Zach Charbonnet is expected to make his season debut after recovering from a torn ACL, while rookie Jadarian Price is also on the way back after a chest injury, giving Seattle a chance to add some much-needed depth and energy to a rushing attack that has been looking for a spark.
Seattle will need it against a Chicago defense that has been strengthened by the addition of Jeffery Simmons, which makes the ground game an even more important part of the plan. With Charbonnet and Price both trending back into the mix, the Seahawks suddenly have a better chance to lean on their running backs and create a more balanced offense in a game that could demand it. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Face A Bigger Test Than Bears Fans Might Realize
The Seahawks head into Monday nights Week 8 matchup with the Bears carrying a longer injury list than Chicago, and that matters just as much as the prime-time stage. Seattle has several players listed as inactive or doubtful, including left tackle Charles Cross and edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, two absences that can reshape both the protection plan and the pass rush before the first snap.
Chicago, by contrast, enters the game much healthier, with running back Kyle Monangai the only player listed as inactive. The coaching subplot also adds another layer, with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald going against Bears head coach Ben Johnson in a matchup that should tell a lot about where both teams stand in the early stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]