Adding the intrigue when it comes to the return game is that neither the kickoff nor punt return jobs are even close to decided heading into camp.

Dee Eskridge handled kickoff duties at times each of the past two seasons, but due to injuries he was not able to hold down that job for full seasons. DeeJay Dallas, Seattle’s punt returner all of last season and the kick returner for most of the year, signed with Arizona in free agency, which means the Seahawks will need a new punt returner and, along with Eskridge, another option or two on kick returns.

Harbaugh and other special teams coaches have noted that the setup of the new kickoff rule could require teams to put two returners on the field, meaning that even if Eskridge is healthy and a top candidate for that job, the Seahawks will probably want another kick returner ready to go. Among the options for that are free-agent addition receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., who has return experience both in college and the NFL, as well as undrafted rookie Dee Williams, who was a standout punt and kick returner at Tennessee, and second-year running back Kenny McIntosh, who was limited by injuries as a rookie, but who had success as a returner at Georgia.

With a top-notch punter and kicker already on the team, as well as several returning core special teamers, the Seahawks head into 2024 with a great foundation for continued success on special teams, but sorting out the return game, both in terms of the new rule and who will handle the return jobs, will be an important task for Jay Harbaugh and company in training camp and the preseason.