What’s next for the Seattle Seahawks after playoff loss at Green Bay?
The Seattle Seahawks reached the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years but fell short of the Super Bowl. So what does the future hold for the team?
The 2019 season for Pete Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks resulted in another trip to the playoffs. But more than ever, the team was dependent on star quarterback Russell Wilson. The team outlasted the opposition more times than not as the club finished with an 11-5 record but a scoring differential of just plus-7 (405-398).
With Wilson at the controls, the Seahawks have posted eight consecutive winning campaigns dating back to his arrival in 2012. Of course, 11 wins wasn’t enough to capture the NFC West. And each of the Seahawks’ division rivals managed a win over Carroll’s club in 2019.
What’s ahead for this perennial contender?
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So What’s Next?
Seattle defenders came up with only 28 quarterback traps during the regular season. But it’s worth noting that four of the team’s top sack artists — Quinton Jefferson (3.5), Jadeveon Clowney (3), Mychal Kendricks (3) and Ziggy Ansah (2.5) — can test the open market in mid-March.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed could also head elsewhere this offseason. All told (via Spotrac), the Seahawks have 22 potential free agents, including a slew of offensive linemen in veteran guard Mike Iupati, tackles Germain Ifedi and George Fant, and center Joey Hunt.
Biggest Offseason Concern?
Carroll’s squad allowed 398 points and 41 offensive touchdowns in 16 regular-season contests in 2019. And after holding the depleted Eagles to three field goals in the Wild Card Round, the Seahawks gave up 28 points and four more offensive touchdowns in the five-point divisional playoff loss at Lambeau Field.
The slide over the years in this area has been steady. The club gave surrendered the fewest points in the NFL in 2012 (245), 2013 (231), 2014 (254) and 2015 (277). Seattle permitted just 292 points in 2016. All five of those years resulted in playoff appearances. The ‘Hawks gave up 332 points in a 9-7 finish in 2017 and missed the postseason. In 2018, it was 347 points but a 10-6 mark and a Wild Card invitation. A lot of work to be done here.
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When it was all said and done, the Seattle Seahawks dropped three of their last four overall outings, including home losses to the Cardinals and 49ers. The team’s injury issues at running back were a factor down the stretch but the season-long issues on defense are a much bigger concern going forward. And with a slew of potential free agents, what will this club look like come the draft and training camp?