The Seattle Seahawks sit atop the NFC with a 5-2 record, but their offensive line has begun to show cracks. With the NFL’s trade deadline just 48 hours after their Week 8 clash against Washington, a move to shore up protection feels almost inevitable. According to Matt Sullivan from The Sporting News, the Seahawks are actively exploring line swaps to shield quarterback Sam Darnold better, putting them among a small group of teams seeking upgrades.
How Will the Seahawks Address Their Offensive Line Before the Deadline?
Sep 25, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sep 25, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic says, “Seahawks and Chargers are exploring potential offensive line additions.” This suggests that neither team feels completely solid up front, even if things haven’t totally fallen apart. While Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas have effectively anchored the edges and Olu Oluwatimi has held his spot at center, the interior of the line remains a concern.
The main issue has been at right guard, where Anthony Bradford has struggled recently. Sullivan pointed out that Bradford has given up 17 pressures, more than any other Seahawk, along with two sacks, which ties for the team high. His PFF pass-blocking grade of 18.0 is the third-lowest among all guards in the league who have played at least 100 snaps. For a team with postseason aspirations, that kind of weakness is a major liability.
However, finding support isn’t easy when options are thin, as quality blockers rarely switch teams mid-season. Still, a few possibilities have emerged. Veteran guards like Joel Bitonio from the Cleveland Browns and Kevin Zeitler from the Baltimore Ravens could be solid, experienced options. Meanwhile, Jackson Powers-Johnson in Las Vegas might offer fresh legs and long-term flexibility, assuming Seattle is looking to refresh its interior line.
Dave Holcomb from Heavy.com noted that Seattle’s front office is keeping a sharp eye on potential trades as time runs short, hinting that the organization still prioritizes shielding its quarterback. This approach makes sense, as Darnold has performed better when his blockers hold the line, whereas Seattle’s offense stalls when defenders break through the middle.
“Fixing Darnold’s pass protection is what Seattle needs most before the trade deadline,” Sullivan said, summarizing the situation concisely. While the team might consider adding another receiver or shoring up its defense, maintaining control of the NFC West begins right up front.
If Seahawks General Manager John Schneider can pull off a trade for a solid right guard before time runs out, the offense could transform from just getting by to looking formidable. That kind of upgrade could be exactly what they need for a deep playoff run.