CARDINALS CORNER

NFC West offseason outlook: The Seattle Seahawks

Jul 5, 2022, 8:30 AM | Updated: Jul 8, 2022, 3:32 pm

DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions dur...

DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Lumen Field on January 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The offseason has had many twists and turns not for only the Arizona Cardinals but for the rest of the NFC West.

The storylines have been aplenty no matter where you look in the division, both good and bad.

In an effort to keep up with the additions, subtractions and everything else under the sun surrounding the NFC West, here’s a deep dive into each of the Cardinals’ divisional foes as the offseason presses on.

After taking a look at the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, it’s time to turn the attention to the Seattle Seahawks:

Biggest questions

Who starts at QB?

Russell Wilson is no longer the leader of men in the Seahawks’ locker room following an offseason trade to the Denver Broncos. In exchange, Seattle picked up a massive haul of draft capital, tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock and defensive end Shelby Harris. The Seahawks also sent back a fourth-rounder.

Now, with Wilson in Denver, starting quarterback reps are there for the taking for Lock and Geno Smith.

Who grabs hold of the job is anyone’s guess.

Smith is the current leader in the clubhouse given his familiarity with the organization after spending the past two seasons in Seattle.

Head coach Pete Carroll said as much during the team’s mandatory minicamp, telling reporters that Smith had taken first-team reps throughout but that Lock was getting an equal amount of reps in situational opportunities.

That doesn’t mean Lock, who has 24 starts and 25 touchdowns over a three-year career, can’t get up to speed by the end of training camp, however.

There’s also the chance that the Seahawks’ next starting QB is not even currently on the roster.

Where does the team and DK Metcalf stand on a contract extension?

The unknowns continue on from the starting signal caller to No. 1 wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Metcalf was a notable unexcused absentee from the team’s mandatory minicamp this offseason as he searches for a contract extension. His decision to not show for minicamp came after he had been a participant in the team’s voluntary organized team activities.

And while Carroll remains optimistic that an extension will get done, a lot can happen between now and training camp.

Metcalf is set to make $3.986 million in the final year of his rookie deal.

Failing to lock up Metcalf long term would be a rather large blemish on the organization.

After racking up 900 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 catches his rookie season, the wideout upped those numbers to 1,303 yards, 10 touchdowns and 83 receptions in Year 2.

And despite not having a 100% Wilson in 2021, Metcalf still managed to put up 967 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns on 75 catches.

Biggest addition: Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu

The Seahawks haven’t seen a great influx of free-agent talent this offseason, but did nab outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu on a two-year, $19 million deal.

Nwosu now heads to the NFC West after spending the entirety of his four-year career with the Los Angeles Chargers of the AFC West.

In his first season as an every-game starter for the Chargers in 2021, Nwosu compiled five sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, four passes defensed and 17 QB hits (all career marks) across 17 games played (15 starts).

Nwosu projects to line up opposite fellow pass rusher Darrell Taylor.

Biggest subtraction: Quarterback Russell Wilson

While linebacker Bobby Wagner is a close second, losing Wilson takes the cake for the biggest subtraction on Seattle’s roster.

The quarterback heads to Denver after spending all 10 seasons of his career with the Seahawks. Over that span, he threw for 37,059 yards and 292 touchdowns on 65% passing. In 2013, he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory.

On top of his play on the field, Wilson was also a huge piece in building Seattle’s culture in the locker room.

NFC West prediction: Last

The Seahawks project to be the bottom of the barrel when it comes to divisional standings.

With no Wilson and no Wagner to make up for the rest of the roster, Seattle is the worst team in the division by a mile.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Cardinals Corner

Arizona Cardinals CB Garrett Williams looks on during practice...

Tyler Drake

The Cardinals’ CB1 of the future is already on the roster

Led by Garrett Williams, the Cardinals' youth movement at cornerback has Arizona trending toward long-term continuity and success.

2 months ago

Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride celebrates with his teammates....

Tyler Drake

As if Cardinals fans needed another reason to rock with Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride added another big accomplishment to his NFL resume on Thursday.

2 months ago

Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride stiff arms a Seattle Seahawks defenders...

Tyler Drake

Clean it up! The critical changes Cardinals must make for final stretch

For the Arizona Cardinals to be successful across these next five games, they've got to get back to the basics and focus on the little things.

2 months ago

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks....

Tyler Drake

The stakes surrounding Cardinals-Seahawks couldn’t be higher

It may only be Week 14, but the Arizona Cardinals' NFC West title hopes hinge on what happens against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.

2 months ago

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker warms up pregame...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ contract extensions can’t stop at James Conner

The Arizona Cardinals continue to make good on those who embody what the new regime wants out of its players. The work's far from over, though.

2 months ago

Arizona Cardinals rookie DL Darius Robinson looks on during practice...

Tyler Drake

What to make of Cardinals DL Darius Robinson’s NFL debut vs. Vikings

The impact of Arizona Cardinals rookie DL Darius Robinson's NFL debut against the Vikings on Sunday goes well beyond the stat line.

2 months ago

NFC West offseason outlook: The Seattle Seahawks