NFC Contenders? Seattle Seahawks Have 'Intriguing Possibilities'

The Seattle Seahawks regressed last season, but in Mike Macdonald's first year in charge, could they perhaps make a run in the NFC?

Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks on after / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks enter Mike Macdonald's first year as head coach with a somewhat unknown quality about them. After a free agency period that saw the franchise lose Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Will Dissly, Damien Lewis, Colby Parkinson, and Evan Brown, Seattle has various needs to help its roster.

While the only notable addition was defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins from the Dallas Cowboys, the Seahawks' best business was retaining the likes of Leonard Williams, Noah Fant and Artie Burns.

But as we get closer to the NFL Draft, as things currently stand, where do the Seahawks sit in the NFC hierarchy? NFL.com has Seattle in the "intriguing possibilities" group along with the Chicago Bears.

Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

"They're on this list because they're moving into a new era, with Mike Macdonald succeeding Pete Carroll as head coach," NFL.com writes. "Carroll spent 14 seasons with the Seahawks and led them to a Super Bowl win in the 2013 campaign. Macdonald has been a rising star in the business, as he served as the coordinator of the best defense in football with the Ravens last season.

The Seahawks possess the offensive talent that could easily have them in the upper echelon of teams in the NFC. D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Fant, Kenneth Walker, and Zach Charbonnet all have shown what they are capable of with Geno Smith, which makes the 2024 season under Ryan Grubb a fascinating one.

Last season, Seattle was sitting at 6-3 and seemingly in cruise control heading toward the postseason. But as we know, a poor month saw them lose four straight games, which meant they were fighting against the tide.

With other teams in the NFC strengthening significantly, the Seahawks might face an uphill battle to return to the postseason. Their division is now tougher with the emergence of the L.A. Rams and Kyler Murray now fully fit with the Arizona Cardinals. Of course, there's still the San Francisco 49ers juggernaut, too.

But if Macdonald get improve the Seattle defense that was at times last season just so poor, and the offense under Grubb can get the best out of its quarterback and skill position players, the Seahawks could easily be seen as a playoff team.

Which is perhaps why they are in the "intriguing possibilities" group due to the fact that right now, it is hard to get a read on exactly what Seattle could become in 2024.