The Seattle Seahawks made nearly as many changes as any team coming into 2025. Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and three other starters are gone. Klint Kubiak is now the offensive coordinator. So far, all signs look good. But Week 1 has pitfalls in store for some key players.
Overall, I like the prospects for the Seahawks. Not just for the first game versus the 49ers, but for the entire season. Kubiak's offense looked powerful in the first two preseason games, exactly what the Seahawks need and Mike Macdaonald wants. I think that change is real, but I still have my concerns. We'll find out in Week 1.
As for the defense, I have zero doubts about that unit. A full season of Ernest Jones and Tyrice Knight cures all ills. Replacing Dre'Mont Jones with DeMarcus Lawrence is the equivalent of trading in your 2020 Dodge Challenger for a 2015 Aston-Martin DB9. Sure, the Dodge is nice, but it's not what James Bond drove. But I still have some concerns about a few Seahawks.
These three Seahawks could see it all end after Week 1
Edge Uchenna Nwosu
I'm not concerned about the level of play from Nwosu at all. When he's healthy, he's as good an edge rusher as the Seahawks have, and that includes Lawrence. That, of course, is the issue with Nwosu - when he's healthy. He's missed 22 games over the past two seasons.
We all know we're just waiting to see if he can get through this game, and then the next. If he can stay healthy, the Seahawks' odds for the postseason improve dramatically.
RG Anthony Bradford
Bradford has looked good this preseason. In fact, I'm comfortable with the statement that he's looked like an NFL guard. But the preseason and the regular season are very different animals. As I mentioned earlier in the link regarding Seattle's running game, they faced a lot of second and third-string talent.
How he handles a full game of pressure from players like DT Alfred Collins and the perennial Pro Bowler Nick Bosa running stunts inside could determine his future. Bradford's saving grace may be that the Seahawks have no proven backup to step up.
Kenneth Walker III
Now, I'm not even insinuating that K9's career could be over with a bad game against the Niners. What I am saying is that he has to hit the holes without hesitation. Seattle's improved blocking scheme would indicate that, unlike years past, the holes will be there.
Add the risk of injury, and the presence of not just Zach Charbonnet but George Holani, and Walker could become trade bait for Seattle after a rough Week 1. Or, he could be the engine that drives the Seahawks to the postseason.