A lot has happened since we last mailbagged… Is mailbag a verb? Probably not. Anyway, since our last mailbag, the Seahawks selected 11 players in the 2025 NFL Draft, held a rookie minicamp, and have moved into Phase 2 of their offseason workout program. So with that in mind, it seems like a great time to once again open up the mailbag and answer some questions from you, the fans.
As always, thanks to everyone who asked questions this week, and apologies if I wasn't able to get to yours this time around. And remember, the mailbag is always open for submissions at Seahawks.com/mailbag.
@JacsonBevens asks, "Would love your thoughts on trading Geno and DK for Darnold & Kupp within the scope of us all living on a slowly dying rock hurtling through and insignificant corner of insignificant universe."
A: Well, when you put it that way, does any of this really even matter?
Joking/existential dread aside, I wanted to address this question from Jacson (if you're not familiar, check out his Cigar Thoughts podcast, it's good stuff), because I was actually thinking about this topic—the personnel changes, not our insignificance in the universe—after the draft. Two things that come to mind when talking about swapping out Geno Smith and DK Metcalf for Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp are that A. that wasn't really the Seahawks' plan heading into the offseason, but rather the result of John Schneider and the front office pivoting quickly in response to two individual situations, and B. If you are going to look at it from a trade standpoint, you have to include a lot more than just Darnold and Kupp in what the Seahawks got out of trading two of their top offensive players.
On the first point, the Seahawks came into the offseason with the intent to extend Metcalf and Smith; Schneider and Macdonald were clear on that whenever those two players were discussed. As Schneider explained after the trades, Metcalf asked for a trade, and since "we want guys who want to be here," he honored that trade request. With Smith, Schneider explained that the two sides were just too far apart to make an extension realistic, saying, “It became apparent that we weren't going to be able to get a deal done. It wasn't a very long negotiation, so as a staff, we had to be prepared to pivot."
By acting quickly rather than dragging things out with negotiations that may or may not have ever worked out, the Seahawks were able to sign Darnold, the top quarterback in free agency, as well as Kupp, who as soon as the Rams released him became arguably the best receiver available, and do so while adding valuable draft capital and cap space at the same time. As much as teams go into an offseason with a Plan A, the good front offices also have the ability to be nimble if things don't go according to plan, which is what Schneider and company were able to do.
And the second part of this equation is that, because of the picks and added cap space, it's not as simple as saying the Seahawks swapped Metcalf and Smith for Kupp and Darnold. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling were both signed after those trades, and while it's possible one or both might have signed either way, the extra cap space certainly helped facilitate those deals. And when it comes to draft compensation, having an extra second and third-round pick was a big factor in the Seahawks' ability and willingness to move up in the second round to draft safety Nick Emmanwori, a player the Seahawks had graded as a first-round talent, while the third-rounder the Seahawks got for Smith was used to select quarterback Jalen Milroe. The addition of Milroe, along with the signing of Drew Lock, then freed the Seahawks up to trade Sam Howell to Minnesota for the fifth-round pick used on defensive end Rylie Mills. The Seahawk also got a seventh-rounder in the Metcalf trade that they used on running back Damien Martinez.
The number of trades the Seahawks made during the draft means you can't exactly compare the Smith and Metcalf compensation to players now on the team, but as outlined above, it's not a stretch to say the Seahawks turned those players, plus the sixth-rounder that went to Pittsburgh in the Metcalf trade, into Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, Nick Emmanwori, Jalen Milroe, Rylie Mills and Damien Martinez, as well as the extra cap space spaced used to make other signings in free agency such as Lawrence and Valdes-Scantling.
Fareed from Longview, Texas asks, "Do the Seahawks have enough pieces on both sides of the ball to make the playoffs next season?" While Scott from Listowel, Ontario asks, "What are the realistic chances of this completely revamped Seahawks team competing for the playoffs and/or playing deep into the playoffs?"
A: Relaying a story from his earliest days as a coach, Mike Macdonald told a story earlier this offseason that illustrates the type of expectations he brings into every season.
"I want to win the Super Bowl," Macdonald said Tuesday at the NFL Annual Meeting. "That's the expectation, man. Every time you step on the field, your expectation is to win. When I was a high school coach, our head coach, Xarvia Smith, got the staff together in the summer and he's like, 'Hey, write down what you think our record is going to be this year.' And guys would turn in like 8-2 or 7-3, 9-1 or whatever. And to those people, he was like, 'What games are we going to lose so we can just go ahead and not play those games?' So if you go into this whole process not expecting to win, you're not doing it the right way."
So what's realistic? Well considering the Seahawks won 10 games last season, missing an NFC West title by the fifth tiebreaker, strength of victory, it's hardly a stretch to suggest that they can be a playoff team in 2025. This is Macdonald's second season as a head coach, meaning he and his staff should be that much more in sync and prepared for what a season can throw at them, and on defense in particular, the Seahawks are expecting to be way ahead of where they were at the start of last season. And that brings me to Scott's question, which refers to the Seahawks as "completely revamped." Yes, there are a lot of changes on offense—we'll get to that in a second—but on defense, the Seahawks have a ton of continuity. The only starter from last season not back is Dre'Mont Jones, who was released in a salary-cap related move, but the Seahawks were able to add veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to help fill that void, and rookie Rylie Mills, when fully healthy, will provide another versatile inside-out option on the line. With nearly every starter back from a defense that was, over the second half of the season, one of the best in the NFL, the Seahawks have every reason to expect to be very, very good on that side of the ball.
As for the offense, yes, there were significant changes, most notably moving on from three key players in Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but the Seahawks also are very excited about the players they added both in free agency and the draft on that side of the ball, and they're also counting on new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and his staff to help get more out of that unit, particularly when it comes to having a more balanced and physical attack.
Obviously the play of new quarterback Sam Darnold will be key, as is the case for quarterback play on every NFL team, but given how well he played in a similar offensive scheme last year, the Seahawks are expecting big things from the 2024 Pro-Bowl selection. It's fair to wonder just exactly what the offense will look like after so much change, but overall, considering how close the Seahawks came to the playoffs in Macdonald's first season, a playoff berth and even a deep run are realistic expectations, both for Macdonald and for fans.
@tompage asks, "Who do you expect to be competing for playing time at center?
A: Heading into training camp the center spot would appear to be a two-man competition between Olu Oluwatimi, who finished last season in that role, and Jalen Sundell, a versatile lineman who made a big impression on coaches as an undrafted rookie last year. The Seahawks did add another center, undrafted free agent Federico Maranges, following the draft, and he could compete for a roster spot, but barring another addition later this offseason, it looks like Oluwatimi and Sundell will battle it out for that spot.
@WasEinHumburg asks, "With the draft and rookie camp over, it's the perfect time to ask about whether the Seahawks are finally retreading the facility?"
A: Good timing on this question. As fans may have noticed in pictures and video from rookie minicamp, there is quite a bit of work being done on the Virginia Mason Athletic Center right now, and that construction is taking place because the Seahawks are upgrading their training room and hydrotherapy facilities. I'm sure we'll have a lot more details and photos to share when the work is done, but it's safe to say players will enjoy some improved facilities in 2025 and beyond.
@Mistif4Ukr68491 asks, "How important is it to roster and utilize a quality nose tackle, particularly to free up Byron Murphy II for more pass rush situations and one-on-ones?"
A: It's important enough that the Seahawks re-signed veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins on Wednesday, giving them a veteran run-stuffer who can complement the talents of interior linemen like Murphy, Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed. As Mike Macdonald has noted on a few occasions, the Seahawks have several players who can fit into that A-gap role, including the trio mentioned above, but as this question implies, that role isn't one that necessarily allows a player like Murphy to show his full array of talents.
A block-eating nose tackle isn't a role that usually gets a ton of playing time in today's pass-happy NFL, but it's still a very important role. And having Hankins back, as well as a couple of young nose tackles who could also compete for that spot, should free up players like Williams, Reed and Murphy to be playmakers.
@WeaponNext asks, "Would you drink a pickle beer with Grey Zabel?"
A: If you missed it, Zabel was asked in a fan Q&A what Midwest tradition he'd like to bring with him to Seattle, and answered pickle beers. On one hand, I'm not a big fan of pickles. On the other hand, beer. I'm not sure it would become a regular drink for me, but I'm definitely willing to give it a try.
@isehuet.bsky.social asks, "Will JSN decline without DK taking the primary focus of opponents' secondary? How much was JSN's success related to DK's presence on the field?"
A: While DK Metcalf is undoubtedly the type of player who commands the attention of opposing defenses, it's not fair to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to suggest that his Pro-Bowl season wasn't the result of his own talents and hard work. Every team has route concepts that free up certain receivers when others command extra attention, but Smith-Njigba has shown himself more than capable of getting open regardless of coverage. Add to that the fact that Cooper Kupp is very well respected and will command attention, and that the Seahawks have some field-stretching options in Valdes-Scantling and rookies like Elijah Arroyo and Tory Horton, and there should be plenty of opportunities for Smith-Njigba to make plays and build off of a standout 2024 campaign.
Oh, and it's also probably worth noting that the best game of Smith-Njigba's career—a seven-catch, 180-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Rams—came in a game that Metcalf missed due to injury.
The Seahawks continued their offseason workout program on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) and linebacker Drake Thomas (42) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20), cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and wide receiver Steven Sims (84) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72), center Jalen Sundell (61) and tackle Michael Jerrell (65) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) and tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) with head coach Mike Macdonald during a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) and tackle Abraham Lucas (72) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) and center Olu Oluwatimi (55) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (1) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) participated in a workout on May 7, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
