Fansided

Seattle Seahawks: 5 burning questions in 2018

By Thomas Wheaton

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 31: Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shouts from the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 31: Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll shouts from the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 31, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

The Seahawks have ruled the NFC for the better part of the last decade but the times are changing. What are the five biggest questions surrounding the team heading into training camp?

Last season the Seahawks finished second place in the NFC West, but just missed out on a playoff berth with a 9-7 record. The running game was nonexistent, the offensive line looked like a dumpster fire, and the team lost several key players on defense. But, how are things looking heading into a 2018 season?

Pete Carroll is still in town so the team is in good hands, but could it be that he is finally losing his grip in the Emerald City? There is still a lot of talent on the roster, but a lot of the key names that led the team to back-to-back Super Bowls are now in different places.

In a division, and conference, with a surplus of great teams, the Seahawks will really need to improve if they want to compete. The 49ers are on the rise, the Rams look like a Super Bowl contender, and the Eagles, Vikings, and Saints all look like powerhouses. Here are some of the biggest questions surrounding the team as they prepare for training camp.

5. Which Brandon Marshall are the Seahawks getting?

This offseason, Brandon Marshall agreed to join his sixth NFL team. Over the course of his career, Marshall has shown Hall of Fame level talent, but in recent years, he has looked like a shell of himself. Yes, Marshall is now 34 and is on his last legs. But if the team took the chance on him, they feel like he still has something to contribute.

Last season with the Giants, Marshall only tallied 154 yards in five games. An ankle injury that required surgery cost him 11 games, but to only have 154 yards through five games is atrocious. The Seahawks need more than that, but they don’t necessarily need 1,200 yard Marshall.

Marshall provides value in two main ways: as a red zone target and on much needed third-down conversions. In addition, Marshall helps take some of the receiving load off of Doug Baldwin. This is even more of a priority now since the team lost Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson.

Marshall should be able to take advantage of defenses that double Baldwin, and he will also free up space for Tyler Lockett to work out of the slot. If he finds even half of the production from his 1,500-yard 2015 season, he will be a great addition for the Seahawks offense. If not, they could really struggle, especially in the red zone.

Home/Seattle Seahawks