It may be a rough year for a team that has usually been in playoff contention lately. What could the Seattle Seahawks be in store for in 2022?
Head coach Pete Carroll has enjoyed a pretty good run in the Pacific Northwest dating back to his hiring by the franchise in 2010. After beginning his career with the Seattle Seahawks with back-to-back 7-9 showings – the first resulting in a playoff appearance – the team rattled off nine consecutive winning seasons from 2012-20 – reaching the postseason eight times.
There was a Super Bowl title in 2013 (XLVIII) followed by another Super Sunday appearance (XLIX) the next year. The Seahawks are the last NFC team to make consecutive trips to the Super Bowl.
But in 2021, it all came apart. The club plummeted to 7-10 – its first losing season since 2011 – and finished last in their division for the first time (AFC West) since 1996. Meanwhile, the other three teams in the NFC West were all on their way to the playoffs.
There have been some major changes to the roster. What could that result in this upcoming season?
3. Seahawks bold prediction: TE Noah Fant is the team’s reception leader
All told, 2021 was a down year for the Seahawks. But the team does feature one of the most talented wide-receiving duos in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The former rolled up 1,175 yards on 73 grabs (16.1 average) and scored eight touchdowns. Metcalf led Seattle with 75 receptions and scoring catches (12). The duo combined for 20 of the club’s 30 TD receptions.
Tight end Noah Fant was part of the trade that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to the Mile High City. The former University of Iowa product was Denver’s first-round pick in 2019. He racked up a career-best 68 catches this past year for the Broncos. And look for him to top that mark in leading the ‘Hawks in this category in 2022
2. Seahawks bold prediction: Club finishes with fewest wins since 2009
The Seattle Seahawks first started playing football in 1976 as an expansion team. That first year, they made their home in the AFC West and after one season they were shifted to the AFC West. The franchise made that division its place of residence until the league realigned in 2002. That debut campaign resulted in a 2-12 record.
In 1992, the Seahawks finished 2-14, the organization’s worst record to date. That team also set an NFL record for the fewest points scored in a 16-game season (140).
Of course, this is a franchise that has been pretty successful under current head coach Pete Carroll. But slowly but surely, this turned into a different kind of football team. With quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm, a relentless ground attack and a top-notch defense, the Seahawks were a dangerous club. But the offensive emphasis shifted to more of a passing game, the running game lost its punch and the “Legion of Doom” faded.
This past season, the Seahawks finished 7-10 but still score more points (395) than they allowed (366). But Wilson is gone and so is heralded middle linebacker Bobby Wagner. The roster has its share of holes. And what about that 2009 season? Under then-head coach Jim Mora Jr., the Seahawks were a dismal 5-9.
1. Seahawks bold prediction: Seattle leads the league in turnovers
The team has already announced that veteran Geno Smith will get the start in the Week 1 Monday night clash with the Denver Broncos. He and former Denver signal-caller Drew Lock battled for the starting quarterback job this summer and Smith emerged as the winner.
And now it will be extremely interesting to see how long the 2013 second-round pick of the New York Jets will hold on to the spot. While it’s not all on the quarterback when it comes to turning over the rock, both Smith and Lock have had their issues with ball security.
What’s really fascinating is that dating back to the club’s inception in 1976, the Seahawks have never led the NFL in turnovers. And a year ago, Pete Carroll’s club gave up the football just 13 times in 17 outings — tied with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings for the fewest miscues in the league.
But quarterback Russell Wilson is no longer with the organization and his efficient play was one reason the club didn’t make a lot of mistakes. During his 10-year stay in Seattle, the team committed fewer than 20 turnovers nine times – the lone exception being in 2019 (20). This is a number that bears watching.