Seattle Seahawks confusing offseason yields questionable results

The Seattle Seahawks’ modus operandi in the 2020 offseason has been confusing.

On Jan. 12, the Seattle Seahawks found themselves in the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field against the Packers. Unfortunately, they missed their shot to go to the NFC Championship Game. Even still, they went into the 2020 offseason with several positives, including plenty of cap space and most of their own draft picks.

Now that they’ve spent that money and used those draft picks, the Seahawks’ offseason has been confusing, to say the least. For a team coming off of a playoff berth and already working with the luxury of Russell Wilson on the roster, that seemed hard to do. They could’ve added weapons on offense or reshaped the defense. Instead, they did neither.

In free agency, Seattle addressed the offense marginally, signing wide receiver Phillip Dorsett after a quiet stint in New England and aging tight end Greg Olsen. After injuries have slowed him down of late, it’s hard to see how Olsen will be able to contribute consistently.

As for the defense, the Seahawks at least did more in free agency than on the other side of the ball — though it was still nothing to write home about. Bruce Irvin was a quality player in Seattle previously but has since declined. Meanwhile, Quinton Dunbar was their best signing of the offseason but his off-field issues raise questions even about that.

A puzzling picture for the Seattle Seahawks

When you compare what Seattle did with their money, approximately $52 million spent, to the rest of the NFL, their choices look baffling. Ben Baldwin of The Athletic showed how the Seahawks allotted their financial capital compared to what big-name players that would’ve helped the roster, such as Emmanuel Sanders, Robby Anderson or Jack Conklin, got in free agency.

Free agency wasn’t the only confusing aspect of the Seattle Seahawks offseason, however, as the odd choices continued in the draft. After the way the first 26 selections fell in the first round, Seattle had the opportunity to select an impact player. Instead, they took Jordyn Brooks, a player who isn’t bad but doesn’t fit the mold of a modern-day NFL linebacker.

There wasn’t much positive in the Seahawks’ draft class outside of Brooks either. Darrell Taylor was a big hit as he can be an immediate answer to their need for an edge-rushing presence. Beyond that, however, their selections continued to add to the confusion.

Seattle could have spent this offseason building upon another playoff appearance and put more pieces around Wilson to help the star quarterback succeed. They failed to accomplish that. General manager John Schneider didn’t get his signal-caller the help he needs and deserves and, instead, only gave him aging veterans and mediocre players for Wilson to put on his back once again.