Seahawks QB Geno SmithThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The Seahawks had a rough couple of weeks before entering their Week 10 bye, and they came out of the break showing the sort of no-quit attitude that could make them dangerous over the final seven weeks.
Geno Smith ran for the go-ahead touchdown with just 12 seconds remaining, ensuring Seattle didn’t waste a big day from Jaxon Smith-Njigba (10 catches, 110 yards) or one of the Seahawks’ better defensive performances of the season.
Now back to .500, Seattle is poised to make some noise down the stretch. It also has some solid foundational pieces on which rookie head coach Mike Macdonald can build.
Move to Make Now: Keep Expanding Tyrice Knight’s Role
Seattle’s biggest needs are along the offensive line, but there are no quick fixes for the issue. The Seahawks will likely continue tinkering with the rotation and scour other teams’ practice squads for reinforcements.
In the meantime, head coach Mike Macdonald should look to give an expanded role to rookie linebacker and Tyrice Knight. The Texas-El Paso product had appeared in eight games but had played just 23 percent of the defensive snaps entering Week 11. He was handed a starting role, though, after Seattle decided to release Tyrel Dodson.
“It was the best thing for us to move forward that way, give the other guys in the room an opportunity to step up,” Macdonald said, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Macdonald should continue increasing Knight’s responsibilities in order to discover exactly what he has in the rookie—who had 10 combined tackles on Sunday—ahead of the 2025 offseason.
2025 Free Agency: CB Jonathan Jones, New England Patriots
Seattle should look to bolster its secondary in free agency, though chasing a premium position like cornerback will be difficult. The Seahawks are currently projected to be $15.4 million over the salary cap, meaning top corners like Charvarius Ward and D.J. Reed are probably off the table.
31-year-old Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones might be available at a much more team-friendly price point. While the nine-year veteran has struggled more than usual this season, he’s been a dependable cover man in the past.
In 2022, for example, Jones started 16 games for New England and allowed an opposing passer rating of just 73.0.
There’s obviously no guarantee Jones will return to his previous form, but he’d fit financially. Until/unless John Schneider creates some additional cap space, Seattle will be limited to budget free-agent options.
2025 NFL Draft: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Because of Seattle’s cap situation, reloading the offensive line through the draft might be the team’s best bet. That will likely mean using multiple picks on blockers, and Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson should be creeping onto the team’s radar.
A likely NFL guard, Jackson was thrust into the left tackle role against Penn State in early November and fared well.
“Jackson’s underlying analytics weren’t perfect, but he proved his versatility and showed he won’t shy away from the toughest challenges, no matter where he’s aligned,” Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler wrote. “His performance spoke volumes.”
Seattle has its left tackle in Charles Cross, but any lineman who can start at guard and provide additional depth along the line should draw interest in the spring.
