The Seattle Seahawks are hitting the reset button.
After trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle inked Sam Darnold to a three-year contract worth $100 million, the Seahawks also sent field-stretching wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in exchange for a third-round pick, before signing Cooper Kupp to a lucrative three-year pact worth $45 million.
This is going to be a new- look offense, built around Darnold’s strengths, and within the confines of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system.
General manager John Schneider and the Seahawks are betting big both that Kupp can return to his stellar form in the 2021 season, and that he can outrun Father Time, at age 31, coming off a 710-yard and six-touchdown campaign in 2024.
“He’s their slot receiver,” an AFC Scouting Director tells me, of how Kupp fits the Seahawks’ offense. “Sam Darnold needed an outlet catcher.”
Kupp could be an ideal fit on the receiving end of passes from Darnold, given that the Pro Bowl quarterback thrives on underneath throws and Kupp posted an average Depth of Target of 8.2 yards last season, while Darnold thrives on underneath throws with a 72.9 percent completion percentage on throws between one and ten yards.
the field for warmups. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
However, Seattle is taking a calculated risk that there’s enough firepower to make up for Metcalf’s lost production and explosiveness.
“Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to be a true No. 1 receiver,” a veteran AFC Scout wondered, during our conversation about Kupp’s fit. “Because they don’t have one if he isn’t.”
Smith-Njigba is a rising star, but the Seahawks may be looking for him to take on a more significant role even than he achieved in his second NFL season, catching 100 passes for 1,103 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.
It’s a philosophical change and a major course alteration for the Seahawks’ offense, whether Kupp and Darnold deliver the kind of results that make Seattle’s bold moves worth it remains to be seen.
