Personal thought. Even if we lost Rashid. Was a half year rental and 2 picks in a poor depth draft class, worth a Lombardi? Absolutely every year and three times on SB Sunday. Two day 3 draft picks for a ring well worth it.
A great look at why JS and company do so well on regular basis despite all the consistently wrong punditry. I think MM summed his response to all the nay sayers succinctly while hoisting up the NFL's shiniest 'in your face' when he said, "we don't care...we never did." In our "copycat league", JS is more of a tread setter than a trend follower. Folks around the NFL are finally noticing that. Fortunately for us, most continue to exhibit lemming like behavior.
I would personally like to thank the hapless world of NFL punditry for the eye popping results of the only (modest) sports wager I EVER made, in June of '25, that our Hawks were being grossly undervalued. Playoffs, Division, Conference and Super Bowl...we checked ALL the boxes and I toasted our "I don't care" moment where Palm trees grow, the drinks have little umbrellas and this geezer 12 was plump and shiny with 30 wt sunscreen.
I posted before about The Athletic article talking similar. Specifically now teams may “copy cat” the Hawks, like LOB days. But author noted that at least 2/3 of teams essentially can’t. Not so much cannot but will not. Huge part of it pride. And what you posted both about JS and Coach Mac’s attitude in your post. Well said.
Great article. JS as always has a plan going in. Seattle has not done well on first day free agency big swings. The exception was probably in 2013 with Avril and Bennett at bargain prices. JS signing important retentions at the end of last year/first of 26 along with Job and Shaheed makes sense. More about Shaheed in a moment.
When you have in house free agency, you're gambling far less with house money. You already have history, chemistry and scheme to work with. Free agency as much as the NFL plays it up, often is like buying "A Pig in a Polk". That player may not fit your scheme or chemistry. Actual experience seems a more efficient way to manage the cap and talent.
Seattle has shored up spots on O-line, LB, CB, TE, WR, KR and RB in house. They still have the later rounds of FA and the draft to work the roster for 26. All of these things SSJ points out so articulately. So let's talk Shaheed.
As the article points out, JS values draft picks. Giving up a 4th and 5th, and the overall result for the team with that addition makes sense to keep him. ( JS made most of that decision when he went out and got him) Who he is as a teammate also was an important part of the decision.
The term "Unicorn" is perfect for who he is to your offense and special teams. How he affects all 3 parts of the game is hard to find on most rosters. Statistically he may not be that impressive; but sometimes it's just the threat of him out there that benefits other parts of your roster and scheme. I would liken him to a baseball player who may not have a lot of hits at bat, but has a lot of RBI's. He seems to perpetuate big plays. How many times have we heard ex players say that there are two or three plays in every game that changes the outcome. Shaheed is that guy.
Losing Walker hurts, but let's not forget about past season injuries and performances. This year he hit it at the right time in the spotlight. Akers, Jones, Hoolani, McIntosh may afford Seattle and opportunity to keeping a sound run offense (and Shaheed). I don't see Charbs back until late next year. I expect a high draft pick here as well with a later FA signing
Mafe no one thought we were going to keep. He just never really hit his stride here. The draft and perhaps even some thoughts on Sheriff and Connor seems to have contributed to this decision. Who thought Thomas would be a starter in 2025? Mac seems to have a knack for player development.
Losing Woolen was not a big surprise, given his uneven performance. He was only given a one year deal from Philly, so that says a lot. With that said the CB cabinet is pretty bare. Only Hall signed to futures and just Jobe, Witherspoon and Pritchett signed, I'd expect a high draft pick here along with a later FA signing.
Bryant found a better deal so again Seattle will be looking to the draft and later FA. Ty Okata will probably be the new starter in 2026 unless they find a surprise in the draft.
With Horton/White returning next year, D Law saying nothing about retiring yet, Riley healthy and upcoming contracts with Spoon and JSN, Seattle appears to coming off a SB win with a fairly intact roster. I'm thinking that year two for the OL guys drafted last year, and contracts to Cross and Abe as well as still having their entire starting line in tact, Seattle is poised to be sound there. I think Kight may be a UDFA find at tackle for depth. I expect Seattle may resign Jones
As SSJ pointed out, there's still a lot of chapters left in this book before opening day. With Seattle retaining many of their coaching staff (especially Benton), and the core roster, the Seahawks are poised to be competitive again in 2026.
I can't help but wonder if Sam had connected with the 2-3 memorable deep throws to Shaheed that just missed - maybe we would feel that this contract was a great signing.
All of this can be remedied by a full offseason working together. You can't expect a receiver to come in mid-season and instantly have chemistry with the QB. It takes reps and reps are something that SD/RS did not have in 2025.
Or the one (ones?) he slowed down to catch that would have been a touchdown. But then again, had he caught/converted those, the bidding war would have surely been higher and possibly priced him out of town. 0 touchdowns and 15 catches is a lot harder to bid for.
I feel good about where the Hawks are today. We have a great O-line coach and five solid starter retuning (OK, maybe 4). I think game one is going to be very different in 2026 with Darnold having a whole preseason with JSN, Shaheed, Horton and the TEs. Who will be the number 1 RB out of camp is anyone guess today, but the Hawks have until early September to figure that out. I love this part of the year long NFL season.
I am not too worried about the running back situation seeing as it is early March. But I do feel like I'm seeing a lot more optimism across the internet saying "We have Charbs, Holani, McIntosh, plus whoever we pick up later." That's true but Charbonnet the only proven player and he will miss most of the season. If he's back and in game shape before December that's a speedy recovery. Holani was just taken off IR for his hamstring in late January, and McIntosh missed the entire season with an ACL of his own. Past injury isn't necessarily an indication of future injury, and players drafted in the 7th or undrafted sometimes go on to have great careers. But if I had to gamble on who would lead the team in rushing next year and you gave me those 3 guys versus the field of players not yet on the team, I think I'd take the field.
"I want to see the pundits grade the Seahawks again!"
Recently, whatever "the pundits" actually think, they now grudgingly grade the Hawks up. They've been burned so often with wrong takes (that have ben printed here), they ++ us.
No they didn’t last year. Picked to finish last in our division and a top 5 pick in this years draft. When the so-called pundits start posting logically, then yes maybe but really doubt the east coast bias will ever go away.
so, now that the Ravens have rejected Crosby, and the Raiders can`t afford him, can he be gotten for 1 first?..........
Perfect note that fits the timeliness of your article SJ. Raiders apparently spent $187 mil in these 2 days of Free agency.
Personal thought. Even if we lost Rashid. Was a half year rental and 2 picks in a poor depth draft class, worth a Lombardi? Absolutely every year and three times on SB Sunday. Two day 3 draft picks for a ring well worth it.
A great look at why JS and company do so well on regular basis despite all the consistently wrong punditry. I think MM summed his response to all the nay sayers succinctly while hoisting up the NFL's shiniest 'in your face' when he said, "we don't care...we never did." In our "copycat league", JS is more of a tread setter than a trend follower. Folks around the NFL are finally noticing that. Fortunately for us, most continue to exhibit lemming like behavior.
I would personally like to thank the hapless world of NFL punditry for the eye popping results of the only (modest) sports wager I EVER made, in June of '25, that our Hawks were being grossly undervalued. Playoffs, Division, Conference and Super Bowl...we checked ALL the boxes and I toasted our "I don't care" moment where Palm trees grow, the drinks have little umbrellas and this geezer 12 was plump and shiny with 30 wt sunscreen.
I posted before about The Athletic article talking similar. Specifically now teams may “copy cat” the Hawks, like LOB days. But author noted that at least 2/3 of teams essentially can’t. Not so much cannot but will not. Huge part of it pride. And what you posted both about JS and Coach Mac’s attitude in your post. Well said.
Great article. JS as always has a plan going in. Seattle has not done well on first day free agency big swings. The exception was probably in 2013 with Avril and Bennett at bargain prices. JS signing important retentions at the end of last year/first of 26 along with Job and Shaheed makes sense. More about Shaheed in a moment.
When you have in house free agency, you're gambling far less with house money. You already have history, chemistry and scheme to work with. Free agency as much as the NFL plays it up, often is like buying "A Pig in a Polk". That player may not fit your scheme or chemistry. Actual experience seems a more efficient way to manage the cap and talent.
Seattle has shored up spots on O-line, LB, CB, TE, WR, KR and RB in house. They still have the later rounds of FA and the draft to work the roster for 26. All of these things SSJ points out so articulately. So let's talk Shaheed.
As the article points out, JS values draft picks. Giving up a 4th and 5th, and the overall result for the team with that addition makes sense to keep him. ( JS made most of that decision when he went out and got him) Who he is as a teammate also was an important part of the decision.
The term "Unicorn" is perfect for who he is to your offense and special teams. How he affects all 3 parts of the game is hard to find on most rosters. Statistically he may not be that impressive; but sometimes it's just the threat of him out there that benefits other parts of your roster and scheme. I would liken him to a baseball player who may not have a lot of hits at bat, but has a lot of RBI's. He seems to perpetuate big plays. How many times have we heard ex players say that there are two or three plays in every game that changes the outcome. Shaheed is that guy.
Losing Walker hurts, but let's not forget about past season injuries and performances. This year he hit it at the right time in the spotlight. Akers, Jones, Hoolani, McIntosh may afford Seattle and opportunity to keeping a sound run offense (and Shaheed). I don't see Charbs back until late next year. I expect a high draft pick here as well with a later FA signing
Mafe no one thought we were going to keep. He just never really hit his stride here. The draft and perhaps even some thoughts on Sheriff and Connor seems to have contributed to this decision. Who thought Thomas would be a starter in 2025? Mac seems to have a knack for player development.
Losing Woolen was not a big surprise, given his uneven performance. He was only given a one year deal from Philly, so that says a lot. With that said the CB cabinet is pretty bare. Only Hall signed to futures and just Jobe, Witherspoon and Pritchett signed, I'd expect a high draft pick here along with a later FA signing.
Bryant found a better deal so again Seattle will be looking to the draft and later FA. Ty Okata will probably be the new starter in 2026 unless they find a surprise in the draft.
With Horton/White returning next year, D Law saying nothing about retiring yet, Riley healthy and upcoming contracts with Spoon and JSN, Seattle appears to coming off a SB win with a fairly intact roster. I'm thinking that year two for the OL guys drafted last year, and contracts to Cross and Abe as well as still having their entire starting line in tact, Seattle is poised to be sound there. I think Kight may be a UDFA find at tackle for depth. I expect Seattle may resign Jones
As SSJ pointed out, there's still a lot of chapters left in this book before opening day. With Seattle retaining many of their coaching staff (especially Benton), and the core roster, the Seahawks are poised to be competitive again in 2026.
The Ravens have backed out of the Crosby deal. It sounds like they did not like what they saw in his pre-trade physical.
Riq Woolen to the Eagles on a one year $15M Prove It contract. SSJ nails another one!
-Parting ways with Tariq Woolen will make the Seahawks BETTER.
If he does return, the upside is that he signs a one-year prove-it deal.
https://www.seasidejoe.com/p/tariq-woolen-free-agency
Huge. That’s telling. Be a stupid idiot and you’re not likely to get that long term deal.
Woolen to Philly. Yawn/stretch. Looks like one year@ $15M.
Up to $15. Dang.
Still an over pay but only 1 year.
Anyone think AK, Arnold Ebiketie (copy paste) might be worth a look into?
I can't help but wonder if Sam had connected with the 2-3 memorable deep throws to Shaheed that just missed - maybe we would feel that this contract was a great signing.
All of this can be remedied by a full offseason working together. You can't expect a receiver to come in mid-season and instantly have chemistry with the QB. It takes reps and reps are something that SD/RS did not have in 2025.
Or the one (ones?) he slowed down to catch that would have been a touchdown. But then again, had he caught/converted those, the bidding war would have surely been higher and possibly priced him out of town. 0 touchdowns and 15 catches is a lot harder to bid for.
Geno to the Jets, LOL.
Because of all the happy memories????
Trade and exchange draft picks.
I feel good about where the Hawks are today. We have a great O-line coach and five solid starter retuning (OK, maybe 4). I think game one is going to be very different in 2026 with Darnold having a whole preseason with JSN, Shaheed, Horton and the TEs. Who will be the number 1 RB out of camp is anyone guess today, but the Hawks have until early September to figure that out. I love this part of the year long NFL season.
I am not a big fan of all the clips in the newsletter but today you hit it out of the park. Good Job SSJ.
I am not too worried about the running back situation seeing as it is early March. But I do feel like I'm seeing a lot more optimism across the internet saying "We have Charbs, Holani, McIntosh, plus whoever we pick up later." That's true but Charbonnet the only proven player and he will miss most of the season. If he's back and in game shape before December that's a speedy recovery. Holani was just taken off IR for his hamstring in late January, and McIntosh missed the entire season with an ACL of his own. Past injury isn't necessarily an indication of future injury, and players drafted in the 7th or undrafted sometimes go on to have great careers. But if I had to gamble on who would lead the team in rushing next year and you gave me those 3 guys versus the field of players not yet on the team, I think I'd take the field.
"We just need to accept that we have no control, react to the outcomes, and hope for the best."
Hey, You talkin' about LIFE ? !
I am more excited about the draft.
I want to see the pundits grade the Seahawks again!
Free agency is like a cakewalk (1950’s style) to me. Someone gets the cake and eats too.
May the 12’s be with you and go draft somebody great Seahawks!
"I want to see the pundits grade the Seahawks again!"
Recently, whatever "the pundits" actually think, they now grudgingly grade the Hawks up. They've been burned so often with wrong takes (that have ben printed here), they ++ us.
No they didn’t last year. Picked to finish last in our division and a top 5 pick in this years draft. When the so-called pundits start posting logically, then yes maybe but really doubt the east coast bias will ever go away.
You are right there!