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NFL/2026/Team Previews

Can the Champs Repeat With a Retooled Defense?

Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have the reigning champs ready to repeat, but changes in the defense and backfield questions make this repeat bid anything but a formality.

Headshot of Brian Wright.
Brian Wright
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stands on the sideline wearing a headset and holding a play sheet during a game
Mike Macdonald has the Seahawks looking to run it back after a Super Bowl season

At a glance

The Seattle Seahawks enter 2026 as defending Super Bowl champions with Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba back, but major losses on defense and in the backfield complicate the repeat bid. The preview predicts an 11-6 record and another NFC Championship appearance.

Key takeaways

  • Seattle went 14-3 and won Super Bowl LX.
  • Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen are among the notable departures.
  • Nick Emmanwori and Devon Witherspoon are expected to take on larger roles in the secondary.
  • Replacing defensive losses is the central question for the defending champions.
  • The preview predicts an 11-6 record and a return to the NFC Championship game.

Season Outlook:

It’s good to be kings. The Seahawks were dominant from start to finish – going 14-3, crushing San Francisco in the divisional round, edging the Rams for the conference championship, and smothering the Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Head coach Mike Macdonald brings back his quarterback, the top wide receiver, and much of a defense that peaked at the right time. Repeats aren’t easy, but competition in the NFC West will make it especially difficult.

What's Changed:

Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker bolted for Kansas City. He wasn’t the only one to depart, as Seattle also lost safety Coby Bryant, defensive end Boye Mafe, and cornerback Riq Woolen. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is also gone, now the head coach in Las Vegas. His responsibilities will be filled by Brian Fleury. The Seahawks used their first-round pick to replenish the backfield with Notre Dame rusher Jadarian Price.

Bigger Role & Sophomore Breakout:

Both belong to the secondary. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon is expected to get more responsibility as head coach Mike Macdonald plans to utilize more frequently in pass rush situations. Safety Nick Emmanwori was a second-rounder who probably went above the expectations of the Seahawks front office. After a debut season in which he had 2.5 sacks, an interception, and 11 passes defended, Emmanwori finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He also had five total tackles in the Super Bowl.

Key Question:

Can the Seahawks withstand all the losses on defense? The departures of Bryant, Mafe, and Woolen won’t be so easy to replace. Seattle picked up veteran defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. on a one-year deal to help on the edge while the team is hoping draftees Julian Neal and Bud Clark are the proper reinforcements for the secondary.

Prediction:

The repeat bid falls a step shy of the Super Bowl. Seattle returns to the NFC Championship after an 11-6 record but loses to its division rival. The run game suffers with the loss of Walker while Smith-Njigba gets close to another 1,500-yard season. Darnold doesn’t have the same performance as 2025 but it’s more than enough so the offense has little decline. The defense can’t duplicate the 17.2 points-allowed average, but holds opponents to under 20 a game.

X-Factor:

Rashid Shaheed took little time to show what he could bring to the mix in Seattle. After being acquired in a November 4 trade, Shaheed had two return touchdowns on special teams and took the opening kick to the end zone in the divisional round blowout of San Francisco. Depending on Fleury’s imagination, don’t be surprised if we see him spell Zach Charbonnet and other backs on gadget plays.

Final Scorecard:

  • Offense: 8
  • Defense: 8
  • Coaching: 9
  • X-Factor Upside: 8
  • Schedule Strength: 6

Frequently asked questions

What is the Seattle Seahawks' outlook for the 2026 season?

Seattle enters 2026 as the defending Super Bowl champion with much of its offensive core intact, but significant defensive and backfield turnover makes a repeat difficult.

What changed for the Seahawks entering 2026?

Seattle lost Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, while adding Brian Fleury as coordinator and drafting Jadarian Price in the first round.

What is the biggest question for the Seahawks in 2026?

Whether the defense can withstand the losses of Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen.

Who is the Seahawks' X-factor in 2026?

Rashid Shaheed, whose speed and special-teams impact could give Seattle another versatile weapon in Brian Fleury’s offense.

What record does this preview predict for the Seahawks in 2026?

The preview predicts Seattle will finish 11-6 and return to the NFC Championship game.