Seattle Seahawks 2024 NFL offseason primer: Mike Macdonald era begins with questions on defense — and maybe at QB

Seattle Seahawks’ 2023 season: 9-8, missed playoffs

Overview: The Seahawks missed the postseason in what proved to be the last year of Pete Carroll’s head coaching tenure, starting well but digging too deep a hole with a 1-5 stretch from early November to mid-December.

Geno Smith signed a three-year, $75 million extension last offseason and was a Pro Bowler again this year, though his numbers dipped from his breakout 2022 campaign. The run game dried up, the decorated 2022 draft class stalled a bit, and a defense that gave up the sixth-most yards per play and second-most rushing yards in the NFL now has question marks at every level.

Enter new head coach Mike Macdonald, whose work as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens was universally lauded. Macdonald was one of the top names on the market, and now he’ll take the baton from Carroll, who oversaw the most successful period in Seahawks franchise history.

(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)

Key free agents

DL Leonard Williams
LB Bobby Wagner
QB Drew Lock
LB Jordyn Brooks
G Damien Lewis
G Phil Haynes
TE Noah Fant
C Evan Brown
LB Devin Bush

Who’s in/out: Williams cost the Seahawks a second- and fifth-round pick when they traded for him midseason, which suggests they’ll prioritize re-signing him this offseason. Wagner is a franchise legend but he turns 34 this summer and is “not sure” he’ll return, though he wants to. Brooks, meanwhile is coming off a career year — which came off a torn ACL in early January 2023, which is why the Seahawks didn’t pick up the 2020 first-round pick’s fifth-year option. Look for the front seven to be an area of emphasis here, especially under Macdonald.

Does Leonard Williams have a place in new head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense, and can the Seahawks afford to keep him? (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Key free agent needs

Offensive line
Linebacker
Defensive line
Safety

Why the holes? The Seahawks have to decide if they want to bring back Jamal Adams, who’s scheduled to make nearly $27 million and has…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-02-23 01:46:48

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