According to ESPN’s new survey of NFL executives and scouts, the popular pick to win offensive player of the year was Seahawks rookie Jadarian Price.

Even though Price did not start at Notre Dame and backed up fourth overall pick Jeremiyah Love, Price had a good amount of talk about him heading into the draft. Price ended up going at 32 in the first round, which the Seahawks probably saw as a steal.

With Kenneth Walker III heading to Kansas City this season, Price is the clear choice in the Seattle locker room to start this year and is their best option; many people believe this even outside of Seattle.

Price is under a lot of pressure because if he doesn’t work out the way Seattle hopes, the Seahawks will have a big problem at running back. This was the talk in the offseason when Walker left for the Chiefs, but getting Price in the first round is a glimmer of hope for the Seattle backfield.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks open up their season on Wednesday Night Football, a rare concept, in a Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots.

Fantasy owners could look to Price if they are in need of a running back, as he is expected to get a majority of the snaps for the Seahawks in Week 1.

The Seahawks are still a top choice to win the Super Bowl this year and retain the trophy, and they will not be able to repeat without filling Walker’s shoes; Price is that answer.

Veteran George Holani is Price’s backup, as the Seahawks’ other option, Zach Charbonnet, is recovering from an ACL injury and is expected to miss at least four weeks.

If Price has a good four games before Charbonnet gets back, he could solidify himself as the Seahawks’ starter.

The Seattle Seahawks are being sold to the family of tech billionaire Vinod Khosla in a deal worth $9.612 billion — a record price for an NFL franchise and one of the largest sports team sales in history.

The Khosla family, including Vinod, his wife, Neeru, and their son Neal, reached a formal agreement to purchase the defending Super Bowl champions from the estate of the team’s late owner, Paul Allen, the Seahawks announced Saturday. Neeru Khosla is expected to serve as the team’s control owner, according to a memo the NFL sent to its clubs, while Neal, who serves as CEO of the healthcare company Curai, will also take on a leadership role with the franchise.

“We are honored to be entrusted as the next stewards of the Seattle Seahawks,” Vinod Khosla said in a statement released by the team. “We look forward to building on the winning legacy Paul Allen created and to earning the trust of the Seahawks organization and fans everywhere.”

The sale price obliterates the NFL’s previous record, the $6.05 billion Josh Harris‘s group paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023, and edges close to the roughly $10 billion Mark Walter paid to acquire full control of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers last year. According to Sportico, Khosla’s group beat out several other bidders, including one led by Indian billionaire Aditya Mittal.

Because Khosla already holds a 3.1% minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers, purchased in 2025, he’ll be required to divest that ownership interest as a condition of taking control of the Seahawks under NFL cross-ownership rules.

Khosla, who Forbes estimates is worth about $13.7 billion, co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982 and later built a prominent venture capital career, first at Kleiner Perkins and then through his own firm, Khosla Ventures, founded in 2004, which has backed companies including Affirm, Opendoor and DoorDash.

The deal still requires approval from at least 24 of the NFL’s 32 team owners, a vote that could come as soon as August following a review by the league’s finance committee, according to ESPN.

The Seahawks have remained in the Allen family since Paul Allen purchased the team for $194 million in 1997. Following his death in 2018, his sister Jody Allen has controlled the franchise. The Seahawks are expected to stay in Seattle, where the team holds a lease at Lumen Field that runs through 2032, with three additional 10-year options.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has agreed to a record-setting extension with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks gave Njigba a four-year, $168.6 million extension to make him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Even his guaranteed money, $120 million, is a record for NFL receivers.

Njigba is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, he led the league with 1,793 receiving yards. In the conference championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, Njigba had 10 receptions for 153 yards. 

The Seahawks drafted Njigba with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Njigba was drafted into a crowded wide receiver group with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Despite this, Njigba had 628 yards in his rookie season.

Njigba rose to stardom in the 2024 season, having 1,130 receiving yards to earn his first Pro Bowl appearance. 

Despite only having 27 receiving yards in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, Njigba is a vital part of the Seahawks’ offense.

Earlier this offseason, the Seahawks allowed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Seahawks already exercised Njigba’s fifth-year option. This will be a $15 million cap hit for the Seahawks in 2027. This new contract will run through the 2031 season, with the contract going into effect in the 2028 season.

By the final season of the contract, Njigba will be guaranteed $49 million. This will account for 11.5% of the Seahawks’ total cap space.

NFL training camps will start in July. Njigba and the Seahawks will be entering training camp with vastly different expectations. In 2025, they missed the playoffs the season before and were looking to incorporate their new quarterback, Sam Darnold, but this season they will need to ensure they get back to their play from last season to try to defend their title.

The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, will most likely not be placing the franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker ahead of free agency.

Walker, 25, will be a free agent this offseason after finishing his rookie contract with the Seahawks. Walker is a big winner from this, as it allows him to sign a long-term deal with a franchise after an incredible postseason run.

Whether he signs back with Seattle or goes elsewhere, Walker is expected to receive a nice payday compared to the $14.1 million franchise tag. Walker was only making $2.7 million during the 2025 NFL season.

According to ESPN, the Seahawks will work to sign Walker to a long-term deal as they hope to retain their franchise running back.

Walker shared the backfield with his co-star Zach Charbonnet and only handled 43.6% of the team’s carries during the regular season. Charbonnet saw the majority of the goal line work, scoring a team-high 12 touchdowns. Walker saw an increased workload in the playoffs after Charbonnet suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the NFC divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker took advantage of the increased workload, and it paid massive dividends for him and the Seahawks.

Walker averaged 139 yards from scrimmage in the postseason, adding four touchdowns in their run to a Lombardi Trophy. Walker nearly matched his regular-season touchdown total of five in just three games. Walker became the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since 1997, when Terrell Davis won it for the Denver Broncos.

Walker spoke to the media earlier this month about his impending free agency, saying, “I’ve been here four years, so I’ve gotten to know a lot of stuff about Seattle, and a lot of the city, and I feel like they feel good about me as well, if it was my choice, though, I’d definitely stay.”

If a reunion with the Seahawks is not in the cards for Walker, expect many teams to be interested in the Super Bowl MVP, including teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, who all have a running back hitting free agency.

Kenneth Walker III established his name in NFL history after winning the Super Bowl MVP award.

Walker III had 135 yards on 27 carries. Walker III had the most carries in a Super Bowl game since Michael Pittman ran 28 times for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. 

Walker III started the game off with a 10-yard rush. Toward the start of the second quarter, he rushed for 30 yards on a play. This was his longest rush of the game. The drive eventually ended in a field goal. 

Walker III had 27 yards on a single drive late in the fourth quarter. This put the Seattle Seahawks in field-goal range and helped extend the lead to 22-7. The Seahawks won 29-13. 

Walker III was one of 17 running backs to rush for 1,000 or more yards during the regular season. During the regular season, he shared carries with his backup, Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet got injured during the divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker III led all running backs with more than 20 carries in the playoffs in yards per carry with 4.8. 

The Seahawks will need to decide whether to keep Walker III. He was on the final season of his rookie contract. His cap hit was just 0.96%. Most Super Bowl-winning teams tend to have running backs with small cap hits. However, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl last season, with Saquon Barkley accounting for a notable portion of the salary cap. 

Walker III is eligible for the franchise tag, which would bring him back for a one-year, $14 million contract. The Seahawks have until March 4 to give a franchise tag to Walker III. They can work on an extension at any time as well.

A man who was written off by the league has completed his two-year redemption arc with a Super Bowl LX victory.

Sam Darnold threw for 202 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots. A team that had once given him trouble became the team he defeated to become a Super Bowl champion.

On October 21, 2019, his team, the New York Jets, took on the Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Darnold threw no touchdowns and four interceptions. After the game, Darnold admitted that the Patriots’ defense had him “seeing ghosts.”

In the 2021 offseason, the Jets decided to pull the plug on the Darnold experiment. He played for the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers as a backup quarterback. Darnold was on the 49ers team that reached the Super Bowl in 2023.

In the 2024 offseason, Darnold was signed by the Minnesota Vikings. He was once again expected to be in a backup role. However, J.J. McCarthy was injured during the preseason, forcing Darnold into the starting role.

Darnold went 14-3 with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He made his first career Pro Bowl appearance. His Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, where he threw one touchdown and one interception.

Darnold signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2025 offseason. His teammate Justin Jefferson later said the Vikings would’ve been better with Darnold at QB this season. 

Darnold had five touchdowns and 0 interceptions during the playoffs this season. His best game was the conference championship against the Rams, where he threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions.  

Darnold’s contract was very back-loaded. His cap hit in 2025 was just $13 million. Meanwhile, in 2026, he will have a $37.9 million cap hit. The Seahawks are projected to have $73 million in cap space this offseason.

The Seattle Seahawks avenged their Super Bowl XLIX loss with a win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX witha 29-13 victory.

The Seahawks held the Patriots scoreless through three quarters. This was the second time in Super Bowl history that a team has gone scoreless through three quarters. The Seahawks never trailed in this game.

Kenneth Walker III won the Super Bowl MVP award with 135 rushing yards on 27 carries. Backup running back Zack Charbonnet got injured during the divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, almost all the carries have gone to Walker III. 

Kicker Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record with five field goals made. None of these field goals were long, with all of them being within 45 yards, but they were still important. Through three quarters, Myers was responsible for all the points in the game.

The Patriots were unable to protect their quarterback, Drake Maye. He took six sacks. Rookie offensive lineman Will Campbell and Jared Wilson simply looked overmatched. Pro Football Focus ranked the Patriots’ offensive line as the 11th best during the regular season. 

The only reason the game wasn’t a complete disaster for the Patriots was due to cornerback Christian Gonzalez. He had four tackles and three pass deflections. Beyond that, he did a good job of limiting the Seahawks passing game. 2025 Offensive Player of the Year Jaxson Smith-Njigba was held to just 27 receiving yards. 

Once the dust settles, the Seahawks will need to choose if they want to extend Walker III and find a new offensive coordinator, since Klint Kubiak was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders as their new head coach just hours after the game ended. Meanwhile, the Patriots will need to learn from this experience. It’s unlikely there’s any major moves they can make that would’ve changed the outcome.

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are set to have an amazing matchup in Super Bowl LX. 

This was one of the most improbable Super Bowl matchups based on preseason odds. Both the Seahawks and the Patriots missed the playoffs the previous season. The Seahawks were led by quarterback Sam Darnold, who, despite a strong 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings, remained unproven. Meanwhile, the Patriots had one of the youngest rosters in the league, led by QB Drake Maye. 

The Seahawks have the best defense in the league and the third-best offense. Darnold has put together another Pro Bowl season to lead the Seahawks offense. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith- Njigba has made Darnold’s life a lot easier. On defense, they have a balanced attack thanks to pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams, along with cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

The Patriots ranked second in offense and fourth in defense. The Patriots have a deep roster, but don’t have the star power that a lot of other rosters have. Despite this, Maye and CB Christian Gonzalez have helped elevate the Patriots’ play to the next level. 

The Seahawks and Patriots matched up against each other during Super Bowl XLIX. The Patriots won the game on a game-winning interception from Malcolm Butler. The Seahawks have won the next three matchups against the Patriots. The last time they matched up was in 2024, when Jacoby Brissett was playing QB for the Patriots. 

The Seahawks’ key to victory is for them to overwhelm the Patriots with their depth. The Seahawks roster has a lot of good pieces and very few, if any, teams can match that depth.

Meanwhile, the Patriots will need their stars to shine bright. Maye has made some big plays but has yet to take over as he did in the regular season.

Out 57 experts polled by ESPN, 47 picked the Seahawks to win.

Seattle Seahawks’ coach Mike Macdonald has criticized the NFL’s suspension of outside linebacker Derick Hall.

“Just because we know Derick as a player, as a person,” Macdonald observed. “Since he’s been here, he’s been nothing but an A-plus-plus teammate, A-plus-plus football player and member of our community. It’s tough, so you feel for him. But we’ve got to pick it up for him while he’s gone.”

Following a matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL suspended outside linebacker Derick Hall for one game without pay after he was seen stepping on the leg of Rams guard Kevin Dotson.

Near the end of the first quarter, Hall appeared to step on Dotson’s leg while Dotson was on the ground. The league later ruled the action “unnecessary.” Dotson later left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. Hall is expected to appeal the suspension, though the NFL has upheld its decision.

Rams head coach Sean McVay was asked about the incident involving Hall and Dotson after the game. “I think he was injured before, but it certainly didn’t help the matter,” McVay said. “It’s not the kind of stuff we want in our game.”

Hall, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been part of a four-man outside linebacker rotation this season, averaging around 30 snaps per game.

Seattle went on to win the game after mounting a 16-point comeback. The rally was capped by a touchdown from wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in overtime and finished with a successful two-point conversion. The result marked the first time an NFL game was decided in overtime on a two-point conversion.

The win moved the Seahawks to 12–3 on the season, while the Rams dropped to 11–4. Combined with a 49ers victory, the loss pushed Los Angeles into third place in the NFC standings and moved Seattle into first place in the division.

With the season nearing its end, Hall’s suspension could hurt Seattle’s defense moving forward, as depth will be increasingly important. Knee injuries to Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen late in the game further complicate matters, leaving the Seahawks short-handed heading into next week’s matchup against the Falcons.

The Seattle Seahawks crushed the Washington Commanders 38-14 on Sunday night, led by a near-perfect performance from quarterback Sam Darnold. By halftime, Darnold had completed all 16 of his passes for four touchdowns. He was unaware that he had a flawless first half until someone mentioned it, which broke the no-hitter superstition of football.

He finished with 21-of-24 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Before he was pulled late in the fourth quarter, his total QBR of 97.8 or higher was the best of his eight-year NFL career. This was also his third game of the season with a QBR of 97 or higher, tying a record held by Tom Brady, Tony Romo and Lamar Jackson.

Coach Mike Macdonald praised Darnold’s sharp decision-making and consistency, and credited his execution and the offensive line’s protection. Despite missing a couple of his passes, Darnold threw touchdowns on Seattle’s first four drives – two were to rookie Tory Horton, one to tight end Elijah Arroyo, and another to veteran Cody White.

Wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his breakout season with 129 yards on eight catches, extending his NFL lead in receiving yards.

This victory improved Seattle’s record to 6-2 and a perfect 4-0 on the road. Darnold’s MVP odds jumped from 60-to-1 to 18-to-1 after the game, as the Seahawks remain one of the NFC’s most consistent teams.

The only downside was injuries to linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who suffered a knee injury, and cornerback Josh Jobe, who sustained a concussion; however, Jones’ injury is reportedly not season-ending.

Former NFL player and current referee Nate Jones earned praise Monday night when he defused a tense moment during the Seattle Seahawks‘ 27-19 win over the Texans. The incident occurred in the fourth quarter after Houston’s Derek Stingly Jr. intercepted a pass and stiff-armed Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, knocking off his helmet.

As Stingley ran out of bounds, Smith-Njigba reacted with a shove, which sparked a heated exchange near the Texans’ bench. Multiple Houston players, including linebacker Christian Harris, confronted Smith-Njigba and pushed him into the bench before teammates and officials rushed in. That’s when Jones stepped between the players, spreading his arms to separate them and calm the situation. His quick reaction prevented the altercation from escalating any further.

Stingley was flagged for unnecessary roughness, while Smith-Njigba avoided a second penalty after receiving an earlier unsportsmanlike conduct flag in the first half. The receiver remained on the bench as teammates Cooper Kupp and others helped de-escalate the scene. Smith-Njigba remained on the bench as teammates Cooper Kupp and others helped de-escalate the scene.

Jones played college football at Rutgers before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. He spent eight seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Dolphins, Broncos and Patriots. Jones joined the league’s officiating ranks in 2019 and has since been recognized for his professionalism and game management.

His calm intervention served as a reminder of how experienced officials can help maintain control and player safety during emotional, high-stakes moments on the field.

The Seattle Seahawks entered a new era under head coach Mike Macdonald after parting ways with Pete Carroll in 2023, following 14 seasons. The team had an overall mediocre season, going 10-7 and missing the playoffs. Seattle struggled offensively due to inconsistent offensive line play and failed to beat the better teams on their schedule. Seattle’s most significant breakout came from wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had 1,130 yards and six touchdowns on the season.

>GET DEALS ON SEATTLE SEAHAWKS TICKETS NOW!

Seattle went into the offseason needing a change. Seattle started the offseason by trading away starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders after he started in Seattle for the last three seasons. Without a starting quarterback, the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold from the Vikings to replace Smith after Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns in a breakout season for the Vikings. Seattle also made another huge move, trading away wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers. Metcalf made two Pro Bowls while on the Seahawks and was a key part of their offense since being drafted in 2019.

The Seahawks also brought in wide receiver Cooper Kupp from the Rams to replace Metcalf and help boost their offense. The Seahawks offense will look completely different in 2025 compared to 2024, but will have lots of new, proven players as well. The Seahawks also signed defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. The Seahawks did, however, lose other players like wide receiver Tyler Lockett, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, linebacker Dre’Mont Jones and tackle George Fant.

The Seahawks entered the NFL draft with the 18th overall pick, where they selected offensive guard Grey Zabel out of North Dakota State. Zabel will make a massive addition to Seattle’s offensive line, which gave up 54 sacks last season. Some other notable names the Seahawks drafted were safety Nick Emmanwori, tight end Elijah Arroyo, quarterback Jalen Milroe and defensive tackle Rylie Mills.

The Seahawks will have a brand new offense heading into 2025 and will have the 22nd most challenging schedule in the NFL, according to Fox Sports. They open their season vs a division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Their biggest games of the season will come against the Steelers, Buccaneers, Texans, Commanders, Rams and Vikings. Seattle will have to figure out their new offense quickly if they’re wanting to make it back to the playoffs after missing it last season.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 7 vs. San Francisco 49ers
• Week 2: Sept. 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 3: Sept. 21 vs. New Orleans Saints
• Week 4: Sept. 25 at Arizona Cardinals (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 5: Oct. 5 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 6: Oct. 12 at Jacksonville Jaguars
• Week 7: Oct. 20 vs. Houston Texans (Monday Night Football)
• Week 8: Bye Week
• Week 9: Nov. 2 at Washington Commanders (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 10: Nov. 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
• Week 11: Nov. 16 at Los Angeles Rams
• Week 12: Nov. 23 at Tennessee Titans
• Week 13: Nov. 30 vs. Minnesota Vikings
• Week 14: Dec. 7 at Atlanta Falcons
• Week 15: Dec. 14 vs. Indianapolis Colts
• Week 16: Dec. 18 vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 17: Dec. 27 or 28 at Carolina Panthers
• Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks Season/Game Odds

The Seahawks open with +6000 odds of winning the Super Bowl and +2800 odds of winning the NFC championship according to DraftKings. They also start the season as +1.5 underdogs at home vs the 49ers in a huge divisional game. 

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The Tennessee Titans have signed veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett to a one-year, $4 million deal. The deal came just days before the NFL Draft, adding experience to first-overall pick Cam Ward‘s receiving corps.

Since Lockett was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, he’s been a mainstay on their offense. He has the second-most receptions (661), receiving yards (8,594) and touchdowns (61) in franchise history.

Lockett’s usage declined as the young Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out for 1,130 yards in the 2024 season. Ten years after the Seahawks drafted him, he was released. Now, he’ll take that decade of experience to Tennessee.

Lockett adds some much-needed experience and depth to a shallow Titans receiving room. Before his addition, the Titans’ second-string wide receiver was Treylon Burks, who had four receptions for 34 yards in five games in 2024. Behind Calvin Ridley, who put up a thousand-yard season in 2024, Lockett’s skillset will be invaluable.

“I’m excited to be a Tennessee Titan!!” Lockett posted on X. “I’m super thankful and grateful. Let’s get it!! God you get all the glory!!”

The Las Vegas Raiders, newly headed by coach Pete Carroll, are officially done with the quarterback hunt for the next few years. Hopefully.

This Wednesday, they signed veteran quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year deal, including $66.5 million in guaranteed money and a possible total of $85.5 million. The Raiders acquired Smith from the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason for a third-round pick, and they were willing to pay the price for stability at quarterback for the next few years.

Smith, 34, will play the 2025 season in the last year of his Seahawks contract, making $31 million. Given that his trade was at least partially motivated by monetary concerns—the Seahawks hoped to secure him for $35 million while he was asking for $40 million or more—it makes sense that Smith got a pay raise, but one that was perhaps smaller than he would have hoped.

Smith, who made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023, was very good on a lackluster 2024 Seahawks offense. He broke team records in passing yards and completion rate, posting 4,320 yards with 21 touchdowns for a completion percentage of 70.4%. He also had some interception trouble, throwing the third-highest number in the league, with 15.

Carroll called Smith an “immediate fix” at the quarterback position. At $75 million, it’s obvious how valued that is – even if it may not have been as much as Smith wanted.

By the final year of his deal, Smith will be 37 years old. His age was certainly a contributing factor in the size and length of the deal, but if he can help the Raiders emerge from mediocrity, whatever they pay will have been well worth it.

The Seattle Seahawks have had a bustling offseason, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. They traded quarterback Geno Smith and star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, released wide receiver Tyler Lockett, and quickly went to work filling those voids in the starting offense, which included signing top free agent quarterback Sam Darnold.

Now, they’ve added another big-name free agent to their roster: wide receiver Cooper Kupp, best known for a stellar 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams that saw him break regular-season and postseason records, winning the Triple Crown and culminating in his being named Super Bowl MVP.

Kupp, 31, hasn’t lived up to those standards of production since his breakout season, due in part to an ankle surgery in 2022. He posted 710 yards and six touchdowns on 67 receptions last season.

He was released by the Rams on Wednesday, allowing them to escape part of his $20 million cap hit. Two days later, he signed with the Seahawks, on a three-year, $45 million deal.

Kupp gets to return home to Washington, where he grew up and attended school. The Seahawks, meanwhile, begin to fill their void at wide receiver. Kupp will likely assume a more fitting supplemental role in Seattle, backing up Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who posted 1,130 yards in his second season last year.

There is concern, however, that the Seahawks’ offseason additions won’t make up for the talent lost. It’ll be up to head coach Mike Macdonald to determine how to use his two top receivers (both traditionally slot receivers) to benefit a system centered around Darnold.

The whole NFL is watching – and with this many question marks, things could get ugly fast.

The Las Vegas Raiders have been not-so-secretly plying free agency and the Draft for a 2025 starting quarterback following a dismal season from their carousel of backup quarterbacks. On Thursday, this finally materialized, as the team traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in what many have deemed a steal.

Unsurprisingly, this move reportedly involves releasing Gardner Minshew, whom Las Vegas signed to a two-year, $25 million contract in 2024. Minshew, 28, began the season in the starting role but struggled. He threw nine touchdowns and ten interceptions in the ten games he led the Raiders’ offense before suffering a broken collarbone in Week 12. The team went 2-8 with him at the helm.

Las Vegas doesn’t gain a ton of cap space by cutting Minshew—only around $3 million while maintaining over $10 million in dead cap—but it does cast off what has become increasingly clear is a liability. Even if the organization was confident there was an upward trajectory, Minshew’s three benchings in his first nine games established a low, low floor.

Prior to acquiring Smith, the Raiders made a run at Matthew Stafford, who elected to restructure his contract with the Los Angeles Rams instead. The organization reportedly prefers veteran quarterbacks, so the Smith deal makes sense.

Smith, 34, has one year at $31 million left on his contract, which saw him make the Pro Bowl twice in six years in Seattle. He’ll now reunite with head coach Pete Carroll, who coached the Seahawks in all but one of those six seasons.

On a lackluster 2024 Seahawks offense, Smith broke team records in passing yards and completion rate, posting 4,320 yards with 21 touchdowns for a completion percentage of 70.4%. He also lobbed 15 interceptions – good for third most in the NFL. Overall, though, Smith is a steady starting quarterback in a league where that’s an increasingly valuable commodity, which is why the return of a single third-round draft pick is controversial (read: a steal for the Raiders).

The acquisition of a veteran quarterback reads as consistent for a Raiders squad that just signed Maxx Crosby for a record $106 million. For a team that finished with a 4-13 record, Las Vegas is all in on “winning now.”

“We are trying to take it as far as we can as soon as we possibly can,” said Carroll at the NFL Combine. “I’m not looking for a grace period…. I don’t think that way at all.”

With the combination of Smith and Carroll, as well as Crosby and star tight end Brock Bowers entering his sophomore season, the Raiders should look better than they did last year. How much better, though, time will tell.

Seattle Seahawks running back Ken Walker III missed practice again on Thursday with a calf injury. He is considered “day-to-day” and could miss his second straight week of action.

Head coach Mike MacDonald provided an update on Walker’s condition on Wednesday, saying that tests did not reveal a serious injury. 

“It got more kind of complicated as the week went on, so that’s why we had to do some more tests and stuff, but right now there’s positive signs,” MacDonald said. “So we’ll just say day-to-day … but it’s not long term.”

MacDonald also said that Walker would not necessarily require practice to participate in the team’s game on Sunday. In reality, it would likely be encouraging for the team to see him log some sort of work before giving him his usual workload this week.

An encouraging situation behind Walker may also allow the Seahawks to give their starter an extra week to recover. In Walker’s absence last week, backup running back Zach Charbonnet torched the Arizona Cardinals for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 59 yards in Seattle’s 30-18 victory. 

If Walker can’t go again in Week 15 against the Packers, Charbonnet will again assume the role of a workhorse rusher. There’s still a chance that Walker can handle limited snaps, however, which could lead to a shared backfield. In this situation, it is also unclear if Walker would reassume his usual role at the goal line or if the team would rely on the healthier backup in short-yardage situations.

In three games this year without Walker, Charbonnet has rushed for 263 yards and five touchdowns. With one of the best backups in the league, it may become easier to let Walker sit out, even in the midst of a playoff push.

Seattle got off to a hot start in 2023, with a 6-3 record heading into Week 11’s game against the Rams. The Hawks’ season spiraled due to injuries to key players, including Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker III and Devon Witherspoon. A four-game losing streak loomed over the team, sending Seattle to a 6-7 record. The team had a chance for a wildcard spot after winning two in a row – a loss to the Steelers in Week 17 crushed their slim aspirations. 2023 was also Pete Carroll’s final season as coach, as he switched to an advisory role within the organization.

Former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was hired to replace Carroll as head coach. Three big names were released from Seattle: Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs and Will Dissly. Despite cutting ties with these players, the Hawks restructured Geno’s contract while resigning Leonard Williams and Noah Fant.

Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner departed and signed with the Commanders. As a result of Wagner’s exit, Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson were signed as depth was lacking at linebacker. Quarterback Sam Howell arrived in a trade with the Commanders along with a fourth and a sixth-round pick in 2024’s draft – Seattle sent Washington a third and a fifth-round selection.

2024’s draft saw Byron Murphy III land in Seattle 16th overall to expand an already bolstered defensive line. Murphy owned a 12% pressure rate, the best defensive tackles in 2023. UConn’s Christian Haynes is a potential starter, as the need for an interior offensive lineman is still evident.

The schedule is favorable, as the Seahawks own the NFL’s seventh-easiest slate, tied with the Cardinals and Dolphins. Multiple games can go in Seattle’s favor, including the Broncos, Patriots, Giants, Rams and Bears. Nothing comes easy as the 49ers, Lions, Dolphins, Bills, Jets and Packers highlight 2024’s lineup.

It’s tough to tell if Seattle can redeem themselves after 2023’s late-season collapse – there’s a good chance if Howell produces and the defense holds up. They won’t win the NFC West as the 49ers loom over the division, but the Hawks can be a playoff hopeful due to the schedule being in their favor.

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Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Los Angeles Rams escaped with a 17-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

They came back from being down 13-0 in the first quarter. They only got on the scoreboard during the final seconds of the first half thanks to a Puka Nacua touchdown pass.

During the second half, the Rams initially struggled but managed to get a touchdown thanks to Darrell Henderson. 

The Rams later took the lead after the interception against Drew Lock led to a field goal. The Seahawks had the chance to win late with a 55-yard field goal. It did not go through, which sealed the win for the Rams.

The Rams won thanks to a strong defensive showing led by Ernest Jones. He finished the game with 12 total tackles, in addition to two quarterback hits and half a sack.

Offensively, Matthew Stafford completed 17 of 31 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Nacua was also crucial to the win, gaining five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.

The Rams, who are 4-6, will face the Arizona Cardinals on November 26.

The NFL is reportedly considering disciplinary action against Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams after the star defender screamed at a doctor on the sideline while he was being evaluated for a concussion. Adams was making his first start after a season-ending injury in 2022 but had to exit the game early. He is now in concussion protocol.

Adams apologized on Twitter after the incident, thanking the doctor for assisting him despite his outburst.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to the OG. You did everything right when you realized I was concussed, I apologize for any negative energy I brought your way,” Adams said. “Watching the replay, I am thankful for your patience knowing I wasn’t myself in that moment. You’re a real one and you serve a great purpose that benefits the NFL and so many players. Prioritizing player’s health is essential. Much respect to you!”

Though Adams apologized for his actions, the league could still punish him for berating medical personnel, who he also seemed to threaten to the point that he had to be held back on the sidelines. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the league was considering serving Adams with a fine, though opponents to this measure argue that Adams was not in a sound state of mind. Some have even pointed at the NFL’s own classification of concussions, which specifically cites uncharacteristic aggression and agitation as key symptoms.

Adams last played for the Seahawks in Week 1 of the 2022 season, when he suffered a torn quad tendon that required surgery to repair. In the first quarter of his return game Monday night, he seemed to sustain the concussion while attempting to tackle Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Adams dove at Jones’ knees and hit him headfirst. He appeared disoriented after the play and was escorted off the field. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that he expects Adams to recover and plans to continue using him as a key part of the team’s defense going forward.