The Seattle Seahawks probably won’t complain about getting through the first four games of the season with a 3-1 record.
The team’s only loss came in Week 3 to the Washington Commanders, but the team had a nice recovery in Week 4. It hasn’t been a perfect start to the season, but there’s no denying that this team is still a contender.
Now, with one quarter of the season done, let’s look back and identify the biggest positives and negatives so far.
Positive: Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the Best Receiver in Football
Amber Searls - Imagn Images
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had the fourth most catches and the most yards in 2025, so it’s not like his 2026 success is surprising. However, Smith-Njigba is legitimately on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving record.
It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is when you have a weapon like JSN. The receiver has 120+ yards in three of four games this year and he can blow a game open at any point.
Positive: Defense is Still Elite
The Seahawks had the best defense in 2025, and they could easily end up with the best defense in 2026. The unit allowed just two touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season and was at the top of the league in pass and run defense.
Weeks 3 and 4 were a little disappointing, but even still, no team is allowing fewer yards per game entering Week 5. This unit is coached so well and there’s so many playmakers.
Positive: Seahawks Can Win With or Without Sam Darnold
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Seahawks didn’t lose a game with Drew Lock under center. The offense kept flowing, the defense kept doing its thing, and Lock made the plays he needed to make.
Now, of course, nobody is implying Lock is better than Sam Darnold. Darnold has more wins than any quarterback over the last two years. But it’s nice to know the Seahawks’ hopes aren’t completely crushed if Darnold goes down. Lock is a perfectly capable passer in this league.
Negative: Ground Game Not Pulling its Weight
The Seahawks had Kenneth Walker III in 2025, and the running back is a key reason why the team won the Super Bowl. Walker is in Kansas City now, and rookie Jadarian Price has so far failed to replace him.
Price is now on injured reserve, which means it’s up to Emanuel Wilson and George Holani to hold it down until Zach Charbonnet gets back at least. Not an ideal situation for a team aspiring to win another Super Bowl.
Negative: Injuries at Key Spots
The Seahawks have not had the best injury luck this year. Zach Charbonnet, Ty Okada, Nick Emmanwori, Julian Love, Sam Darnold, and Jadarian Price are just some of the players who either were or are still injured.
It’s hard for any team, including the Seahawks, to deal with that many injuries to key players. The team probably won’t complain about being 3-1 despite those injuries, but they need to get healthy to reach their ceiling again.
