Heading into the 2025 offseason, just like every offseason for the last decade, the Seattle Seahawks needed to find players to help fix their porous offensive line. The only player who could be counted on was left tackle Charles Cross. Every spot along the O-line's interior could have been used with an upgrade.
The good news is that general manager John Schneider addressed that concern in the draft's first round. He took North Dakota State's Grey Zabel, a player who can play at any spot along the line and likely does so well. He probably will fill in at left guard (he will also wear Seahawks legend Steve Hutchinson's number of 76).
This potentially makes the left side of Seattle's line the best since Walter Jones and Hutchinson played for the Seahawks in the early 2000s. Their entire unit was solid, but Jones and Hutchinson formed one of the best duos in the NFL's history. Both are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
What you see is what you get, Seahawks fans
Maybe Cross is not as good as Jones, and maybe Zabel is never as good as Hutchinson, but they are the closest facsimile that Seattle has had in years.
One thing that John Schneider is doubtful about doing for the rest of this offseason, though, is signing a free agent guard. Several players visited and left Seattle without contracts this offseason. Schneider said the players were either poor fits or wanted too much money. Will that come back to bite Schneider?
Maybe not. While right guard remains a Steve Hutchinson-sized hole (sure, he played on the left side, but Seattle's current right guard situation could use a player like Hutchinson), the Seahawks are probably going to go with the players already on the roster.
New offensive line coach John Benton has succeeded dramatically in his NFL career. He might be able to work the wonders the O-line coaches the Seahawks have had over the previous seasons could not do. Perhaps 2024 third-round choice Christian Haynes blossoms under Benton, even though Haynes appeared to be on the verge of being a draft bust as a rookie.
Olu Oluwatimi appears to have the most straightforward path to starting at center. He has been fine in limited starts with the team over the last couple of years. Maybe Benton and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak can help him break out.
The Seahawks' offensive line could be a lot better this coming season, mainly if right tackle Abraham Lucas stays healthy. Or perhaps the group is weak from center to right tackle again, holding the offense back from reaching peak efficiency. Either way, a free agent offensive lineman is unlikely to be signed by Schneider the rest of the offseason.
