The Seattle Seahawks symbolize the most important problem to the Rams of their quest for the NFC West title. Each groups have made vital adjustments to their teaching staffs and on-field personnel, with the Rams addressing their largest weak point by buying Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from the Chiefs. Buying and selling for Myles Garrett can have Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald wracking his brains attempting to scheme across the reigning Defensive Participant of the Yr.
The Seahawks, alternatively, did little or no to improve their offense or protection.
Seattle misplaced 4 Tremendous Bowl starters
Important free company departures from the Seattle Seahawks in 2026 embrace working again Kenneth Walker (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs), cornerback Riq Woolen (Philadelphia Eagles), security Coby Bryant (Chicago Bears), and out of doors linebacker Boye Mafe (Cincinnati Bengals).
I’m unsure what was behind the Seahawks’ determination to let Tremendous Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker go away, however they drafted a fairly good prospect in Jadarian Worth. Prospect is the key phrase there; hoping to switch an excellent working again with a rookie is all the time of venture.
Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Combating Irish working again Jadarian Worth (24) runs with the soccer towards Stanford Cardinal security Darrius Davis (29) throughout the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Stan Szeto-Imagn Photographs Stan Szeto-Imagn Photographs
In addition they drafted a fairly good CB, Julian Neal, to switch Riq Woolen, and signed Dante Fowler to switch rising star Boye Mafe. To be truthful, the Hawks are fairly deep at linebacker, and Mafe’s snap counts had been shrinking 12 months over 12 months as a result of rotations utilized by Coach MacDonald, however Fowler goes to be a situational piece and doesn’t have Mafe’s upside.
Seattle additionally added two others, Irvin Charles and Bobby Hart. Charles is a particular groups ace, whereas Hart can greatest be described as a journeyman lineman. I can’t see both of those gamers making a lot of an impression on the crew’s total efficiency.
Key Seattle teaching adjustments
Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak departed after being employed as the subsequent head coach of the Raiders. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko adopted Kubiak to Las Vegas to turn out to be its offensive coordinator, and run sport coordinator Rick Dennison left to turn out to be their offensive line coach. Brian Fleury, beforehand the 49ers’ run sport coordinator and tight ends coach, was employed as Kubiak’s alternative.
Kubiak got here up with an amazing scheme within the NFC Championship Sport, transferring Jaxon Smith-Njigba all around the subject and leaving the Rams utterly confused at instances, whereas Kenneth Walker delivered the sport of his profession. He will probably be sorely missed by Hawks followers.
Whereas teaching adjustments occur ceaselessly within the NFL, take the Rams, for instance, this wholesale turnaround is notable for the truth that the most important shock in Seattle’s enchancment final season was Sam Darnold’s play. Taking away his quarterbacks coach, run sport coordinator, and Kubiak may result in a fairly critical slide in manufacturing.
Within the three video games towards Seattle final 12 months, the Rams had the higher hand offensively, however their defensive backs and particular groups allow them to down. Within the first sport, they had been up by 9 late within the fourth and barely held on for the win. Within the second sport, they led by 16 at one level and couldn’t dangle on for the win. Within the NFC Championship, they muffed a punt at their very own 17-yard line, then couldn’t make an important cease throughout Seattle’s final possession when Darnold threw for 3 first downs, successfully working out the clock.
The upgrades to the defensive backs and the signing of Garrett, which I discussed on the high, ought to transfer this protection into the league’s high 5.
Jun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive finish Myles Garrett (left) and coach Sean McVay react throughout press convention at Rams Observe Facility. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs
Nate Scheelhaase was promoted from in-house to switch Mike LaFleur, who departed to turn out to be the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach. A extremely regarded up-and-comer, Scheelhaase was already closely concerned within the Rams’ offense, and the transition ought to be seamless.
Kliff Kingsbury takes over the assistant head coach obligations following Aubrey Nice’s departure. Kingsbury is a longtime NFL coach who brings a wealth of expertise to the crew.
Jimmy Lake stepped in as defensive move sport coordinator and secondary coach. All eyes will probably be on Lake as he tries to show the Rams’ best weak point right into a power. Les Snead has actually offered him the instruments to make it occur.
Moreover, Bubba Ventrone was introduced in because the crew’s special-teams coordinator to right earlier unit struggles. Snead introduced in 2021’s Mr. Irrelevant to bolster the particular groups, giving Ventrone a leg up on the job.
Nonetheless you take a look at it, the Rams have executed all the pieces a fan may ask for this offseason by way of recognizing the weak spots and turning them into strengths. The Seahawks, alternatively, made what can at greatest be described as sideways strikes. On paper, at the very least, the Rams are the superior crew.
