The Seattle Seahawks had a remarkable 2025 season, as highlighted by Aaron Schatz's 2026 Football Almanac. Here's a deep dive into the team's strengths and achievements, with a healthy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Offense: A Well-Oiled Machine
The Seahawks' passing game was a force to be reckoned with, especially in 12-personnel sets. With two tight ends, they averaged 9.3 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, ranking third in the NFL. This is a significant improvement from the previous year's heavy reliance on 11-personnel sets, which yielded less desirable results. The credit goes to Klint Kubiak's strategic adjustments, and the expectation is that Brian Fleury will continue to utilize these heavier formations.
Play action was a key component of Seattle's success. They were the best play-action team in the league, with a stark contrast between their performance with and without play action. Sam Darnold, in particular, thrived in play-action passing, showcasing his lethal capabilities. The team's health played a crucial role in their offensive success, with only a few long-term injuries to key players. Among starting players, only Charles Cross and Jalen Sundell missed multiple weeks, while Cooper Kupp and Zach Charbonnet each missed just one game.
One area that has long been a weakness for the Seahawks was their use of running back screens. However, this year, they led the league in something that should bring joy to fans: broken and missed tackles on offense. Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were instrumental in this, with Walker III ranking third among all running backs and Smith-Njigba ninth among receivers and tight ends. The team's pass-catching prowess was evident, with only 14 dropped passes out of 435 attempts, the fourth-lowest drop rate in the NFL.
Sam Darnold's performance was a refreshing change, as he ranked eighth-lowest among starting quarterbacks in knockdowns (sacks + hits) suffered. His knockdown rate of 11.7% was significantly lower than Justin Herbert's 23.4%, who led all QBs in this category. The offensive line's performance was impressive, with no player ranking in the top 20 in pressures allowed. Abe Lucas, Grey Zabel, and Anthony Bradford all performed well at their respective positions, and Charles Cross, despite his 26th ranking, had the highest pressure rate of any Seattle starter.
Defense: A Force to Be Reckoned With
The Seahawks' defense was a cornerstone of their success, with three of the 15 best coverage corners by DVOA. Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, and Josh Jobe formed a formidable trio, with Woolen narrowly ahead of Witherspoon. The edge group was also a strength, led by DeMarcus Lawrence, who had the most defeats among edge rushers. Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II were dominant in the interior, with 39 pressures and top-20 rankings in run stop rate.
Nick Emmanwori, a nickel safety, led the entire secondary in defeats with 19. His coverage DVOA ranked 11th among all nickelbacks, and his broken tackle rate was 16th best among all qualifying defensive players. However, Josh Jobe, one of the most penalized defensive players, tied for fourth-most flags against among all defensive players, though the penalties were not lethal in terms of long pass interference.
Ernest Jones, an underappreciated linebacker, ranked 14th in pass coverage DVOA at his position and tied for 13th among all defensive players in defeats. The defense's success can be attributed to their ability to break up plays and tackle effectively.
Special Teams: Consistency Pays Off
The Seahawks' special teams unit has been consistently strong for several seasons, and 2025 was no exception. Michael Dickson and Jason Myers were at the top of their game, with Dickson's gross punt value over average being the best in the NFL. Jason Myers, the NFL's leading scorer, was second in gross kickoff value and first in net points. The consistency of their special teams unit is a testament to their overall success.
In conclusion, the Seattle Seahawks had a remarkable 2025 season, with a well-rounded approach to the game. Their offensive and defensive strategies, coupled with a strong special teams unit, contributed to their success. As an expert, I believe this team has the potential to make a deep playoff run, and their performance in the 2026 Football Almanac is a testament to their capabilities.
