Up, Down or Same: Looking Ahead to the 2026 Seahawks Defense

The arrows shift to the 2026 Seahawks offense as we grade each position group as trending up, down or sideways from what we watched last season. We start with fullback and debate how much impact the spot really has, but there is some optimism on Robbie Ouzts and whether he can shift to a Juszczyk-style role. Thanks to rare continuity, returning coaches and improving young starters, it's difficult to see the offensive line going anywhere but up this year. Will confidence following a Super Bowl victory help or hurt Sam Darnold when it comes to turning over the football? Lost explosiveness of Ken Walker should have the running backs trending downward, but the Seahawks have added veteran depth and a 1st round pick. Can Jadarian Price match K9's explosiveness? Tight ends and wideouts hinge on increased usage under the new offensive coordinator, AJ Barner's ceiling, Elijah Arroyo's potential, Rashid Shaheed's chemistry, and whether Tory Horton can stay healthy. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

With Russell Wilson's recent retirement announced, we want to celebrate his Seattle Seahawks legacy, from the "F" draft grade of his 2012 draft class to the defining moments that made Seattle a Super Bowl champion for the first time. We highlight seven iconic plays: rookie-year scrambles vs. the 49ers and Patriots, the 2017 double-pirouette strike to Doug Baldwin, pinpoint touchdowns to Tyler Lockett, the frigid 2015 playoff vs. Minnesota, and the overtime dagger to Jermaine Kearse in the 2014 NFC Championship. The Hall of Fame argument focuses on how he stacks up against other dual threat inductees: John Elway, Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young. Wilson's elite efficiency, comeback resume and status as the only NFL quarterback to achieve a 40,000/5,000 passing-rushing milestone put him in elite company amony other HOF quarterbacks. In the second half of the show we get into the off-field lore that also defined his career. We also take a look at how Wilson's success changed the opportunities for shorter quarterbacks in the NFL. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

Before kicking off on the scheduled topic, we hit on a couple offseason headlines from press conferences and other interviews this week. From Anthony Bradford's injury and A.J. Barner's "surgeries" to a couple key takeaways from Sam Darnold about the new offense. Who are the unsung offensive pieces that can matter most in repeating as champs? We discuss the impact one receiver could make and how it could be a game changer on offense based on what we saw last season. We also look at how production of the offense can come in different ways, particularly from the tight end spot and why the Seahawks saw that value during the middle of the season last year. Finally, there's one player whose continuity with Sam Darnold combined with a potential third-year leap could help provide stability at a position that was critical to the team's first Super Bowl victory. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross faced off against Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns back in 2023. What went right? What went wrong? And what did an average drive look like both from a scheme perspective and a matchup perspective? Before we get there, we discuss the three-year, $42M extension for edge Derek Hall (up to $46.5M, $21M guaranteed). Hall's pressure rate and run-defense impact demonstrate his balanced game, but what is he missing that sets him apart from the most elite players at the position? After a look at a few of the reps between Cross and Garrett, we talk about the anticipation for the Christmas matchup and close with the news of Russell Wilson's retirement.  Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

Seattle's division race shifts after the Rams acquire Myles Garrett, giving up Jared Verse plus a 2027 first, 2028 second and a future third, and the move jolts Super Bowl odds while raising questions about L.A.'s all-in window around Matthew Stafford. The conversation weighs how much better the Rams get, whether chemistry or injuries could blunt the impact, and if Seattle ever could—or should—have matched that kind of package, including a debate over what it would take to trade for a star edge like Maxx Crosby versus trusting long-term development and midseason value trades. The show also hits the Patriots' deal for A.J. Brown from the Eagles and what it means for Seattle's Week 1 matchup, while closing with confidence that the Seahawks remain the defending champions. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

Today we're looking at the 2026 Seattle Seahawks defense and going through an "up, down, or same" exercise across key position groups. DeMarcus Lawrence was at practice today. Was the retirement buzz even a slight possibility? Safety sparks some early debate as we kick off the look across position groups. The loss of Coby Bryant matters, but Bud Clark's upside, plus staples like Julian Love and the role of Nick Emmanwori, keep the arrow trending steady with potential lift. Cornerback draws some concern after Tariq Woolen's departure, with Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe anchoring a thinner depth chart that leans on rookies and unproven options. The interior line, with Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Jarran Reed, and rotational help from Riley Mills, has us wondering who may be on the outside looking in when it comes time for cuts. We close with edge and linebacker, and look ahead to the importance of maintaining premium interior disruption and disciplined run defense to keep the championship-level unit rolling next season.  Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

Is this year's "list season" going to be "disrespect season" for our reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks? We take a look at four recent Seahawks-related narratives in this week's show as 49ers fans react oddly to an "Lumen South" meme. The first "list" is a 2024 NFL redraft that sends Seattle away from Byron Murphy only to land on Braden Fiske. In what world is Fiske better than Byron Murphy? In other Rams news, Ian Rapoport is carrying water for the Rams by saying drafting Ty Simpson still "makes a ton of sense" after Matthew Stafford's extension. Finally, Mina Kimes and Ben Solak's 2026 QB draft board slots Sam Darnold 19th behind players like Kyler Murray and rookie Fernando Mendoza. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation    

Episode 500 looks back at the Seattle Seahawks previous championship window to spot what fueled the decline from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. The conversation centers on three of John Schneider's costly inflection points from 2013 to 2015: the Percy Harvin trade and contract (and the draft opportunity cost), sacrificing trench stability by trading Pro Bowl center Max Unger for Jimmy Graham, and focusing on perimeter talent while missing on investments in the trenches. We revisit draft classes that produced limited impact in 2013 and 2014. And while the 2015 class was highlighted by Tyler Lockett and Frank Clark, they ended up moving on early from an offensive lineman who had a solid career with the Colts. We compare that era's heavy roster turnover to the current team's continuity. And Seattle appears to be avoiding splashy trades, prioritizing the right re-signings, and keeping flexibility to invest in the trenches to extend their window this time around. In the second half of the show, we talk more about the schedule release and the potential timeline for the return of Zach Charbonnet. We also thank our members of the flock who have helped get us to 500 episodes of the years. The "unfairness" of the schedule is the focus of the Do Better segment along with the continued idea of Sam Darnold having to live up to higher expectations. Better at Life honors go out to Dr. Bobby Wagner and an example of how Seahawks fans have an impact on each other outside of football. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation  

The 2026 NFL Schedule was released on Thursday and we're taking a week-to-week look at the Seattle Seahawks opponents this year. Can the Seahawks get out to a fast start on their road to back-to-back titles? The season kicks off against the New England Patriots in a rematch of the Super Bowl before heading out on early road trips to Arizona and Washington. They have a stretch of prime time matchups against the Denver Broncos (Thursday), Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday), and Chicago Bears (Monday). Later in the season, we discuss three straight matchups against NFC East opponents before closing out with two of the final three games against the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks and Rams are the only two division rivals in the entire league who face each other twice in the final weeks of the season. We get into the pros and cons of leaving those games for the end of the season. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation    

As the Seahawks look to repeat this year, there are areas where they could slip after a championship season and reasons why they might still be even more dominant. Potential downside comes from opponents adjusting to Mike Macdonald's nickel-heavy run defense, statistical regression if Jaxon Smith-Njigba can't repeat his production, uncertainty around first-time play caller Brian Fleury, and possible special-teams regression. The optimism centers on expanded offensive weapons (A.J. Barner, Tory Horton, Rashid Shaheed), a chance for the offensive line to jump from average to top-10 with continuity, and defensive growth as Nick Emmanwori and Byron Murphy elevate alongside other core leaders. Finally, we recognize Mike Macdonald could still continue to grow and build the defense beyond what we saw last season. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation