State of the 2024 Seattle Seahawks: Can new regime get Geno Smith, defense back to winning form?

Where does your squad stand ahead of the 2024 NFL season? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the new faces to know, one significant fantasy spin and the stakes at play in the campaign to come.

Members of the Seahawks organization, Seahawks fans around the world, and those who still enjoy saying “Broncos Country, LET’S RIDE!” just because it remains funny …

It’s a new day for the Seattle Seahawks. The Legion of Boom/Russell Wilson/Pete Carroll era is completely in the rearview. Frankly, the last few years of the franchise’s run under Carroll mirrored that of the final season of Scrubs. Sure, there were some familiar faces and maybe a few enjoyable moments. But it was never the same as it once was, and it probably would have been better had they pulled the plug a few years prior.

2024 brain trust

Roster reshuffling

Below is a rundown of the Seahawks’ most notable roster developments for the 2024 season, including this year’s draft class, as well as key acquisitions and departures via free agency and trade.

New faces to know

State of the QB

I love the story of Geno Smith. Him taking the mic in 2022 and saying, “They wrote me off — I ain’t write back, though.” That was some amazing theater. But the reality is the veteran is a good quarterback. He’s solid. But is he a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback? He has thrown 50 touchdown passes over the past two seasons, and he’s had 19 games with at least two TD throws since 2022, tied for third-most in the NFL behind only Patrick Mahomes (21) and Josh Allen (20). That’s great. Smith also has posted 16 games with a 100-plus passer rating in that span. However, a good portion of that production came in 2022, not 2023. He went from 30 touchdown passes in ’22 to 20 last year, despite Seattle adding another stud receiver for the ’23 campaign in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And the Seahawks had just 11 rushing touchdowns, so it’s not like the offense was out there crushing it. I like Geno and I’m happy he got paid last offseason. But he was right when he said he has “everything to prove” in 2024. The Seahawks might have to re-assess the plan at quarterback (they did trade for Sam Howell this offseason) if Grubb can’t get the 33-year-old back to those 2022 numbers.

Most important non-QB

My HOTTEST Seahawks fantasy take:

I’m back in on DK Metcalf.

My favorite thing in fantasy is people trying to fade Metcalf in dynasty leagues or claiming that he’s slowing down at the old age of — checks notes — 26. DK has been a low-end WR2 in fantasy over the past couple years despite Geno’s rebirth. There is no denying that. But this is an entirely different coaching staff and a brand-new coaching philosophy under OC Ryan Grubb. You can’t make a fair projection on Metcalf based on what happened the last two seasons. So … I’m back in on DK! Grubb’s offense at Washington ranked 130th(!) in rushing attempts in the FBS last season (although, his Huskies ran a TON of screens, which could be great for running backs in PPR). With a middle-of-the-road offensive line, I expect Grubb to emphasize quick throws to take advantage of DK’s skill set (SEE: last year’s Dallas game). I’m not going to draft DK in the first round, but you’re foolish to dismiss him this season based on what happened last year.

2024 roadmap

Three key dates:

• Week 1: vs. Denver Broncos. All right, Russell Wilson is no longer in Denver, which takes a bit away from this matchup. I get that. But still, there is something about Geno Smith going up against the team that helped launch his rebirth. And since the Seahawks don’t play Pittsburgh (Wilson’s new home), this will have to do.
• Week 6 (TNF): vs. San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks kick off NFC West play with a prime-time game against the 49ers. I do love having the divisional games start later on in the season (why this isn’t a universal thing, I’ll never know), giving Mike Macdonald a chance to get his bearings.
• Week 18: at Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks end the season with a pair of roadies at Chicago and Los Angeles. I’m not sure if the Seahawks will be competing for a playoff berth or not, but hey, stranger things have happened.

For 2024 to be a success, the Seahawks MUST:

A) Win the Super Bowl
B) Make a playoff run
C) Earn a playoff berth
D) Finish above .500
E) Show progress

My answer: E) Show progress. The Seahawks went 9-8 in each of the past two seasons and made the playoffs in 2022, but part of the reason for the coaching change is you never got the feeling they were a threat to make the Super Bowl. And while having years of success is great — because winning is fun — Seattle is 1-4 in postseason games since 2017. That was a big sticking point. NFL teams are judged by Lombardi Trophies, fair or not. What you want to see from the Seahawks this year is the formation of building blocks for a championship team.