Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's going on out there and any news you might have missed, about your Seattle Seahawks.
With the end of the regular season approaching that means there has started to be buzz about end of the year awards like Offensive Player of the Year and Executive of the Year. NFL insider Tom Pelissero put together his annual early survey around the league for these awards and a couple of Seahawks made the cut.
Executive of the Year: John Schneider
It's rare to have a landslide in this category, so Schneider's runaway win with 19.5 votes speaks to how impressed his counterparts have been with the Seahawks' build.
No move this offseason was bolder than Seattle's QB swap, trading veteran starter Geno Smith to Las Vegas for a third-round pick and replacing him with Sam Darnold, who has been well worth the $37.5 million he's making this season. But that's just part of the reboot Schneider has executed since the team parted ways with Pete Carroll in January 2024. He ran the process that led to the hiring of Mike Macdonald, who is 22-10 and still one of the NFL's youngest head coaches at age 38. His last two drafts have produced impact players, including defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, guard Grey Zabel, tight end AJ Barner and safety Nick Emmanwori. Trading veteran receiver DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh in March netted an extra second-round pick and cleared the way for the breakout of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Other key trades landed a standout linebacker (Ernest Jones IV) and speed receiving threat (Rashid Shaheed); Shaheed's punt return touchdown was a huge swing play in last week's win over the Rams. Never afraid to use all avenues for team building, Schneider was the architect of the Seahawks teams that went to back-to-back Super Bowls with the "Legion of Boom" a decade ago and now appears to have built another juggernaut.
Schneider's one-time Green Bay colleague, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, was the runner-up, with four votes. Wolf played a key role in the scouting and drafting of Drake Maye last year. Working with Vrabel, he hit on an important (and expensive) free agent class led by receiver Stefon Diggs, offensive linemen Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury, defensive tackle Milton Williams, linebackers Harold Landry and Robert Spillane and cornerback Carlton Davis. And the draft resources the Patriots poured into surrounding Maye this year have produced immediate dividends, with left tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, receiver Kyle Williams and center Jared Wilson being scooped up in the first three rounds.
Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Smith-Njigba received 15 votes on the strength of his league-leading 1,637 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 receptions -- his second straight season in triple-digits. He has done it on a Seahawks team that passes just 51% of the time, third-fewest in the NFL. Still only 23 years old, JSN is responsible for 44% of the Seahawks' receiving yards this season, which would be the highest single-season share since Brandon Marshall had 45.7% with the Bears in 2012.
The Seahawks will make their last East coast trip of the regular season this week to face off with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Before that game here are things to watch for during the matchup.
Can Seattle's special teams come through with yet another game-changing play?
The Seahawks have won five straight games to move into first place, and one of the common threads in those wins, and really throughout the season, has been their play on special teams. That has been particularly true over the last three games, which featured a 100-yard Rashid Shaheed kick return to spark a big second half in a win over the Falcons, six Jason Myers field goals in a low-scoring win over the Colts, and a Shaheed punt return touchdown that helped spark the comeback against the Rams.
Between Myers' kicking—he leads the NFL in field goals this season, and has been great with varied kickoffs—Michael Dickson's punting, the coverage teams and the return ability of Shaheed, and before that rookie Tory Horton, the Seahawks have been, across the board, one of the NFL's best teams on special teams all season long.
And with big games looming, many of which are bound to go down to the wire, being able to make game-changing plays in that phase of the game could make all the difference.
"It's been a game changer," Macdonald said of Seattle's special teams play. "I felt like we were doing it last year, too we just weren't getting the results we wanted at certain times. But you see the coaching and the inputs daily, and you knew at some point that it was going to come to life."
Az12thman.bsky.social asks, "Do you have a favorite end zone at Lumen Field? South: Gilliam fake FG TD, the tip, Kearse to the Super Bowl Beast Quake. North: F(H)ail marry, Russ' 2-point moon ball to Luke Willson, Zackward pass, Romo bobbled FG attempt."
A: As you outlined, for just plain weird plays, nothing tops the north end zone. From Jordan Babineaux' game saving tackle of Tony Romo to secure a playoff win over the Cowboys to the controversial Golden Tate touchdown to beat the Packers to Kam Chancellor's punch out to preserve a win over the Lions to that wild 2-point conversion against the Packers in the NFC Championship Game to Thursday's strange 2-point conversion to, a less positive note, Jacob Hollister getting stopped a yard short of an NFC West title, a lot of very strange things have transpired in that north end zone. And I'm sure I'm missing some on top of that list.
The south end zone, however, has the best Seahawks memories. The Tip, of course, might be the single most important play in franchise history, while Jermaine Kearse's walk-off touchdown to send the Seahawks to the Super Bowl a year later capped one of the wildest wins in team history. That end zone is also where Marshawn Lynch capped off one of the best runs in NFL history with a famous dive (and grab) on his way into the end zone.
Whichever is your preference, all of those examples above are a good reminder that Seahawks fans have been treated to a lot of great finishes and big moments at Lumen Field.
Social Post Of The Week
News From Around The Web
Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports: Seahawks star WR JSN says any limitation put on him ‘is not true’.
Stacy Rost of Seattle Sports: Stacy Rost: Stacy Rost: 3 numbers that matter for Seahawks vs Panthers.
Mike Lefko of Seattle Sports: Lefko: A bold offseason has Seahawks on brink of history.
Zac Hereth of Seattle Sports: Schlereth’s key for Seahawks to beat Panthers.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Winning = six Seahawks selected for the Pro Bowl, plus two glaring omissions.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Meet Eric Saubert, most unlikely star of Seahawks’ most unlikely comeback win.
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times: Seahawks’ Jay Harbaugh, Rashid Shaheed making special teams a force.
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times: Seahawks say team-first philosophy rewarded by six Pro Bowl nods.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon rejuvenated the Seahawks. Others are finally noticing.
John Boyle of Seahawks.com: 'Everything Is Coming To Fruition' For DeMarcus Lawrence In First Season With Seahawks.
John Boyle of Seahawks.com: Seahawks TE Eric Saubert Grateful For NFL Journey That Brought Him To Seattle.
Ari Horton of Seahawks.com: Mike Macdonald & The Seahawks Steadily Focused On Taking The Season Week By Week.
Ari Horton of Seahawks.com: Six Seahawks Selected For 2026 Pro Bowl Games: 'We Appreciate It, But We're Looking At The Bigger Picture'.
The Seahawks continued their week of practice on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) at practice on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) at practice on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) and guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) and nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) practiced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
