TheSeattle Seahawksapproach the 2026 NFL season with expectations of defending their Super Bowl win from last season, but a competitive field of opponents across the league create questions as to how their season will pan out.
TheLos Angeles RamsandSan Francisco 49ersare two major threats theSeahawksin the NFC West. Elsewhere around the league, theDetroit LionsandKansas City Chiefsare poised for bounce back years, while theBuffalo Billsand theBaltimore Ravenshave another chance to get over the hump. And then there’s thePhiladelphia Eagles, perhaps the biggest wild card team in the league.
The Seahawks’ roster from last season is largely intact, with fitting replacements at positions where they saw key starters depart from in free agency. With a strength of schedule that ranks No. in the league, and a
Here are five bold predictions for how the Seahawks’ season will pan out, forecasting everything from key wins on the schedule to end-of-season awards and their chances of winning the Super Bowl again at season’s end.
Slight dip in targets for JSN opens door for career year for Rashid Shaheed
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was targeted 163 times for the Seahawks last season. Cooper Kupp received the second-most targets in 2025 with 70. Rashid Shaheed received 26 in nine games played for Seattle.
Things figure to be different in 2026, with Shaheed set to be a more integral part of the offense. While Smith-Njigba is likely to be a candidate for AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors again next season, Shaheed will call for more targets in the offense. With even 10 less targets for JSN next season, coupled with more plays called for Shaheed,
Jadarian Price wins OROY
Price is in a favorable situation that will allow him to start from day one.Raidersrookie Fernando Mendoza may take a backseat to Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas. Jordyn Tyson will also have to deal with Chris Olave being theNew Orleans Saints’ No. 1 receiver.
Save those two top 10 picks, Price’s main competition for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors will be Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals), Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans), and Omar Cooper Jr. (New York Jets). Love will be the Cardinals’ primary back from the onset of the year, but has James Conner as his backup, who rushed for 1,000 yards in two of the last three seasons. Tate will also compete with two 1,000-yard receivers in Wan’Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley for targets.
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Ultimately, Price will get the edge over his three rookie peers for the OROY award at the end of the season, with a projected 900 rushing yards to show for.
Seahawks will go 4-2 in primetime games
The Seahawks figure to have a raucous home crowd behind them to silence the Patriots in their Super Bowl rematch and first primetime game of the year in Week 1.
Seattle will be greatly tested on the road against the Denver Broncos after playing two tough games against the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. The altitude, coupled with a defense that [] will contribute toward Seattle losing its first primetime game in Week 6. Facing the Kansas City Chiefs right after that will be no easy task either, which figures to result in Seattle’s second and final loss in primetime in Week 7.
The Seahawks ought to be favored against the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys in their next two primetime games at home, before a win against the Rams in the first meeting between both teams in Week 16, bringing them to 4-2 in such games on the year.
Seattle finishes with No. 1 defense in the league
The Seahawks had a sweltering pass rush last season. Seattle’s secondary was a support for its front seven with All-Pro performers warding off down the field.
Seattle allowed the fewest points scored in the league last season. The Seahawks were dominant against the run, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry to opposing rushing attacks, which ranked No. 2 in the league, and a total of nine rushing touchdowns, which ranked No. 1. Seattle’s defense against the pass was also
With much of their defensive fabric still intact, the Seahawks will finish with the No. 1 defense in the league again in 2026.
Seahawks fail to win back-to-back Super Bowls
The Seahawks project to win the NFC West next season. However, getting back to the Super Bowl will be a difficult task.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire:5 bold predictions for Seahawks in the 2026 NFL season