Though Geno Smith had his best statistical season in 2022, finishing ninth in MVP voting, I do believe that if the Seahawks want to return to being champions, he must reach another level.
Heading into the 2022 season, critics had a lot of reason to be concerned about the Seattle Seahawks. A new quarterback with minimal starting experience set analysts to believe that Seahawks would be one of the NFL’s worst-performing teams.
Adding to the uncertainty, Vegas oddsmakers had projected the Seahawks to win just 5.5 games in 2022.
Despite all the skepticism, a career year from quarterback Geno Smith led the Seahawks to a 9-8 record and a playoff spot less than a year after the departure of former star quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seahawks have proved that they are capable of winning games under their new franchise quarterback, and an off-season addressing positions of need now has the Seahawks projected to win 8.5 games in 2023.
Playing in one of the more challenging divisions in the NFL, the NFC West, the Seahawks will now have to face off twice a year against both the Los Angeles Rams, winner of Super Bowl LVI, and the league’s most daunting defense, the San Francisco 49ers, as they seek to secure their 10th division title.
Though Smith had his best statistical season in 2022, finishing ninth in MVP voting, I do believe that if the Seahawks want to return to being champions, he must reach another level.
Smith’s performance was good enough to be recognized as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. The 10-year veteran led the league in completion percentage for qualifying quarterbacks, ranked top-five in passing touchdowns, and top-10 in passing yards last season.
However, with new arrivals on offense and another offseason as the starter, I expect Geno to finish top-five in MVP voting while also leading the Seahawks to a second straight playoff appearance.
Moreover, the addition of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will form a new triple threat with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in Seattle’s passing attack.
In 2023, Lockett will look to record his fifth straight 1,000-yard season, proving to be productive and consistent as the NFL’s most underrated receiver. His counterpart, Metcalf, seems primed to add his own 1,000-yard season, and he will lead the Seahawks in both receiving yards and touchdowns.
Smith-Njigba, a compelling candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, will play the slot role for Seattle to free him up to work towards a 1,000-yard season paired with seven touchdowns — making Smith-Njigba, Lockett, and Metcalf to be only the 17th trio in NFL history to each record at least 900 receiving yards in a single season.
The defensive side is where I expect to see the most improvement, as winning games becomes hard when offenses get into a shootout.
Seattle’s reunion with linebacker Bobby Wagner will bring back leadership and a veteran presence to the defensive backfield. Wagner’s usage won’t be quite how Seahawk fans remember, but another 100-tackle season for the veteran is not far-fetched.
Adding to the defense, 2022 interception leader Tariq Woolen’s pairing with rookie Devon Witherspoon will form the league’s most feared cornerback tandem as physicality and ball skills will lead the Seahawks secondary to be top seven in forced turnovers next season.
Based on 2022 results, the Seahawks’ strength in schedule is tied for the 12th highest, at .517. A favorable early season schedule will have the Seahawks reaching a 6-1 record as they steamroll past the Rams and weaker NFC opponents. However, I expect Seattle to struggle after the bye week, where I see the Seahawks going 2-5 before a three game win streak to end the season.
All-in-all, I predict the Seahawks will go 11-6, beating out the 49ers and Rams for an NFC West title and another playoff berth.
Year in and year out, the Seahawks remain as one of the league’s most consistent teams. However, the spotlight will burn brightest this season as they are faced with their highest expectations in years.
Contact Eric Hayrapetian at Eric.hayrapetian@gmail.com
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