The five keys to the Seahawks 2025 season success
With a 12-3 record for the season to date, the team from Washington top the NFC West ahead of their game against the Panthers.
The Seattle Seahawks continued success is one of the talking points of the 2025 season to date. The team are currently 12–3 and lead the NFC with much of this achievement being the result of a massive culture shift under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald and a series of aggressive roster moves that have paid off immediately.
Macdonald defensive revolution
After a solid 10–7 debut in 2024, Mike Macdonald has fully implemented his “connected” defensive scheme.
Seattle has one of the highest sack totals in the league despite blitzing at a relatively low rate. This is due to Macdonald’s “simulated pressures”—making simple four-man rushes look incredibly complex to opposing quarterbacks.
With versatile stars like Devon Witherspoon and breakout rookie Nick Emmanwori, the defense is able to disguise coverages late into the play clock, forcing turnovers and holding opponents to low scores.
Seeing games off
A unique hallmark of this season is how quickly the Seahawks are putting games away.
The Seahawks have achieved a win probability of 98% or higher at halftime in five separate games this year. By the third quarter, they are often playing “garbage time” football because they’ve already built massive leads.
After the departure of Geno Smith, Sam Darnold has flourished in Seattle. He currently leads the NFL in yards per attempt and yards per completion, embracing an aggressive “gunslinger” role that the team has supported despite some interceptions.
Breakthrough players
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become the focal point of the passing game, breaking DK Metcalf’s franchise record for single-season receiving yards (surpassing 1,313 yards). He leads the league in efficiency with an unheard-of 4.8 yards per route run.
The rookie first-round pick Grey Zabel at left guard has been a revelation. He hasn’t allowed a single sack all season and is already ranked as one of the top interior linemen in the NFL.
Front office get it right
General Manager John Schneider is a frontrunner for Executive of the Year due to several high-impact transactions:
Acquired mid-season, Rashid Shaheed has been the “X-factor,” providing explosive punt returns and deep-threat capability that helped clinch a crucial overtime win against the Rams.
Since being extended, Leonard Williams has anchored the defensive line, affecting nearly every play even when he isn’t the one recording the stat.
Team connectivity
The locker room culture has shifted away from the “Pete Carroll era” energy to a more business-like, focused environment. Players have specifically credited “Walk and Talks” and even a locker room obsession with shadow boxing as keys to their improved communication and chemistry on the field.
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