The Seattle Seahawks are a team on the rise, and their 2026 Football Almanac by Aaron Schatz provides a wealth of insights into their recent success. While the source material offers a comprehensive breakdown of the team's performance, I will take a different approach and provide a fresh perspective on the Seahawks' achievements, focusing on the key takeaways and offering my own analysis and commentary. The Seahawks' 2025 season was a testament to their resilience and strategic adjustments, and the Football Almanac highlights several areas where they excelled.
Offense: A Well-Oiled Machine
The Seahawks' passing game was a standout feature, particularly in 12-personnel sets, where they averaged an impressive 9.3 adjusted net yards per pass attempt. This is a significant improvement from their 11-personnel heavy approach in 2024, which yielded less desirable results. The team's identity shift under Klint Kubiak has been a masterclass in strategic adjustments, and the expectation is that Brian Fleury will continue to utilize heavier formations. The play-action vs. non-play-action difference was stark, with the Seahawks averaging over 10 yards per play-action pass, making Sam Darnold a lethal play-action quarterback. The health of the team played a crucial role in their offensive success, with only Charles Cross and Jalen Sundell missing multiple weeks due to injury among all starting players.
One of the most intriguing statistics is the Seahawks' use of running back screens, which was the lowest in the league at just 10. This might seem like a minor detail, but it highlights the team's commitment to breaking tackles and making people miss, with Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the charge. The Seahawks' pass catchers also demonstrated their reliability, with only 14 dropped passes out of 435 attempts, good for the fourth-lowest drop rate in the NFL. Sam Darnold's ability to stay upright and avoid knockdowns was also notable, ranking eighth-lowest among starting quarterbacks.
Defense: A Force to Be Reckoned With
The Seahawks' defense was equally impressive, 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, with DeMarcus Lawrence leading the way in defeats and pressures. Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II formed an unsolvable puzzle for opposing offenses, with both ranking in the top 20 among all defensive linemen in run stop rate. Nick Emmanwori, a nickel safety, led the entire secondary in defeats and had a coverage DVOA that ranked 11th among all nickelbacks.
One detail that stands out is Josh Jobe's penalties, which were tied for fourth-most among defensive players, but were not lethal in terms of long pass interference penalties. Ernest Jones, an underappreciated linebacker, ranked 14th in pass coverage DVOA at his position. The Seahawks' special teams unit, led by Michael Dickson and Jason Myers, was also consistently strong, with Dickson's gross punt value over average being the best in the NFL.
Broader Implications and Future Developments
The Seahawks' success in 2025 can be attributed to their strategic adjustments, commitment to breaking tackles, and reliable special teams unit. However, the team's ability to maintain this level of performance in the future will depend on several factors, including the health of key players and the continued development of young talent. The Seahawks' defense, in particular, has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with, with several players ranking in the top 20 among their positions. The team's commitment to breaking tackles and making people miss could be a game-changer, and the Seahawks' ability to stay healthy will be crucial to their long-term success.
In conclusion, the Seahawks' 2025 season was a testament to their resilience and strategic adjustments, and the Football Almanac provides a wealth of insights into their achievements. While the team has several strengths, they must also address certain areas to maintain their success in the future. The Seahawks' ability to break tackles and make people miss, combined with their reliable special teams unit, makes them a team to watch in the coming years.
