The Seattle Seahawks are, shockingly, atop their division through the first seven games of the 2022 NFL season. Geno Smith’s played the best football of his career, and Seattle’s 2022 draft class appears to be full of hits. Though the Seahawks are a penalty-riddled mess, they play hard in all three phases, and after a stellar win over the Chargers, have a 4-3 record. Pete Carroll’s received a lot of flack for how the Seahawks have underachieved in years past, but this season, the Seahawks are arguably the most overachieving team in the league. If anyone told you the Geno Smith Seahawks would be first in their division at any point this season, they’re either delusional or were lying.
After trading Russell Wilson last Summer, most expected the Seahawks to finish the year as a bottom-five team in the league, maybe even a bottom-one team. Most predicted the Seahawks would tank the season away in order to draft a quarterback in the top five of the 2023 NFL draft. Though there’s still plenty of time for that to happen, the Seahawks look anything but a tanking team. They play together, have rallied around Pete Carroll, and are out to prove to everyone they were more than just Russell Wilson’s team.
Next on their schedule, the Seahawks will face the overachieving New York Giants, who are currently 6-1. The Giants are stout defensively, while the Seahawks have an offense that’s top five in points per game. One has to give, and I’m desperately hoping it’s the Seahawks.
This Wasn’t the Plan…
The plan for the Seahawks heading into the 2022 NFL season was supposed to follow Miami’s tank-for-Tua season. Play hard every game, and establish a healthy culture, while also receiving a top-five pick. That 2019 Dolphins team won five games and played great towards the end of the season en route to drafting Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall. Following that model, the Seahawks have one more game to spare before they risk falling out of the top five. But given how well the Seahawks are playing this season, I fear inevitable disappointment in my future as the Seahawks miss out on drafting a big-time college quarterback.
Part of the beauty of drafting a quarterback is the rookie contract. It gives the team tremendous cap flexibility, making it easier to sign big free agents, resign their own players, and surround a cheap, talented quarterback with talented skill position players. If the Seahawks don’t draft a quarterback, they’ll either have to pay Geno Smith big money, or sign someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield. The very thought of all three scenarios makes me sick to my stomach.
Of course, the Seahawks could always choose to trade up in the draft if they see a quarterback they want. But why give up assets when you could lose and not give up any? Luckily for them, the Broncos are an absolute mess and sit at 2-5. Given both teams’ current trajectory, the Seahawks might still wind up with a top-five pick, it’ll just be courtesy of Denver. Nonetheless, I don’t believe the risk is worth it.
Therefore, I need Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley to play the games of their lives and bring the Seahawks back down to earth.
The Worst Case Scenario
The absolute worst-case scenario is the Seahawks end the year with two first-round picks, and neither is high enough to draft a young stud quarterback. Pete Carroll was right when he said the Seahawks aren’t rebuilding. This team has offensive pieces that are ready to compete right now. Plus, with a bevy of defensive free agents on the 2023 horizon, having cap flexibility is of the utmost importance, given the atrocity that is their defense. I still have hope that the Seahawks will come to their senses and get back to losing games, but I will give them credit where credit is due.
They’re a fun watch, ultra competitive, and thanks to Geno Smith, are making Russell Wilson look foolish for demanding a trade.
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