When the Seattle Seahawks rolled out a first year of Sam Darnold with a new offensive coordinator, behind one of last year’s worst offensive lines and without DK Metcalf, most people probably expected they’d be the best passing offense in the league.
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Maybe not. But that’s certainly what they’ve looked like through eight games.
Make no mistake, it’s not entirely out of nowhere. There was plenty of intrigue and promise and a foundation of talent, but perhaps just not as much faith in hindsight.
Critics were fairly concerned whether Darnold’s resurgence with Minnesota in 2024 could stick around without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and head coach Kevin O’Connell. But he always had a big arm.
There were fears the weapons may not be there without Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the former of whom held the franchise record for single-season receiving yards and was a potent and physical downfield threat. But Jaxon Smith-Njigba was still a first-round pick coming off a breakout season.
Klint Kubiak’s Saints offense fell apart in 2024. But with two explosive weeks to start the season, how much of that was injury? The Seahawks offensive line struggled year in and year out, but could a first-round guard and a healthy Abe Lucas be a fix?
So far, the Seahawks have met every doubt with emphatic reassurance. And on Tuesday, they added a speedy weapon to their greatest strength.
But how good are they really?
Problems aren’t costing them
Smith-Njigba receiving the lion’s share of targets and a stalling run game have been two concerns since Week 1. Neither have cost the team so far.
Smith-Njigba still accounts for a league-high 38% of target share and he’s still on pace to set a new NFL single-season receiving record. The attention he’s drawing is opening things up for other pass catchers: Elijah Arroyo and Tory Horton were the beneficiaries of those plays in Washington.
The run game hasn’t taken off, but Seattle is still getting explosive run plays and, importantly, is benefiting from heavy personnel. Sam Darnold has faced more stacked boxes than any passer in football, and a genuine commitment to the run (Seattle is eighth in rushing attempts per game) has left him less exposed. His 3.93% sack rate on dropbacks is lower than Smith’s in 2024, and his nine sacks are tied with Denver’s Bo Nix for the fewest among the top-10 passing yard leaders.
But this isn’t about the best run game.
Explosiveness is the name of the game when it comes to the pass
The Seahawks are fourth in passing yards per game behind the Rams, Colts and Cowboys, but less than three yards separate first-place Los Angeles (258) from fourth-place Seattle (255.1).
That’s especially impressive when you consider that they have the third-fewest pass attempts per game. The Seahawks are first in yards per pass attempt (9.5) and completion (13.3). Sam Darnold is fourth in passing EPA per play.
The Rams have the track record, the league’s current passing touchdown leader, and a stellar combination of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. And for a lot of fans, that’ll give them the edge over Seattle. But per play, the Seahawks are more explosive.
Someone hit rewind. 61-yards to the end zone. 🔥 @jaxon_smith1
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/K2SywHB46G
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 12, 2025
It just got better
Robert Mays described Seattle’s acquisition of 27-year-old Saints wideout Rashid Shaheed simply during an interview with Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy Wednesday.
“Fireworks.”
Seattle sent a fourth- and fifth-round pick to New Orleans for one of the league’s fastest ball carriers. Seattle’s banged up receiver room could use some depth, but this is more than a depth addition. This is a true No. 2 wide receiver added to a group that features the league’s receiving leader, and that makes Seattle’s statement to the rest of the NFL clear: If they weren’t the best passing offense before this week, they’re certainly looking for the crown now.
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