JAKE AND STACY

Storylines: Would another B-minus offseason get Seahawks over the hump in 2020?

Feb 6, 2020, 1:08 AM | Updated: 1:08 am

Seahawks TE Jacob Hollister...

The Seahawks added TE Jacob Hollister in the 2019 offseason in a trade with New England. (Getty)

(Getty)

Wednesday night was one of those nights that I was laying around my apartment with a ton of thoughts just rattling around my head. They came about as a result of watching YouTube, ESPN and college basketball, and walking my dogs in the pouring rain.

Seahawks could make a play for Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay, but is he what they need?

Here they are, in bullet-point form. Feel free to comment with your own thoughts below on each topic.

Storylines

Will another B-minus suffice for the Seahawks?

Grade last year’s Seahawks offseason, knowing what we know now. Then answer what offseason grade they need to have in 2020 to get back to the Super Bowl.

On the final day of the 2019 preseason, I felt like the Seahawks had an A-minus offseason. With Jadaveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah rushing the passer, a bunch of promising rookies, another year of experience for young veterans, and the return of some then-healthy players, things looked great.

Then they didn’t.

We don’t have to go through the entire list of guys that didn’t perform well or got hurt, but it didn’t all go according to plan. Needless to say, last year’s offseason feels more like a B-minus now. To get back to the Super Bowl, will another B-minus suffice? With any luck, it just might.

An assertive Seahawks QB

Pro Football Talk did their own interview with Russell Wilson at the Super Bowl last week and he doubled down on what he said about improving the caliber of playmakers that the Seahawks have. They then put another article out about it on Wednesday.

Will this become the story of the offseason? Will it become overblown at some point? Is it already?

We tend to latch onto one or two storylines every offseason. This year they’ll be:

• How do the Seahawks improve?

• Is Russ asserting himself too much?

Do Seahawks need speed or size?

What type of pass catcher would you rather add: A speedy receiver like Tyreek Hill or a big, chain-moving tight end like Travis Kelce?

Watching highlights of the Super Bowl, it occurred to me that the Chiefs not only have weapons, but they have a diverse set of weapons. The Seahawks have two receivers in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett that are very different, but clearly they need at least one more guy to supplement the attack.

If we had to pick one type of guy, which would work best in this offense?

Judging Jimmy G

Is it fair to judge Jimmy Garoppolo by the one throw he didn’t complete in the SB?

The question that 49ers fans will be debating until they win a Super Bowl is, can they win one with Jimmy Garoppolo at QB? They came pretty darn close and probably would have had he been able to connect with Emmanuel Sanders on that deep pass down the middle.

Is the football world going to judge him so harshly as to say that because he didn’t complete that one pass, he’s not good enough to win it all? I feel comfortable saying that guys like Jim Kelly, Philip Rivers, Cam Newton, Dan Marino, Dan Fouts and many others were good enough to win Super Bowls even though they didn’t do it. That may seem like a strange claim, but I stand by it.

Jimmy G hasn’t been around long enough for me to be comfortable defending him in this respect, but at the same time, I don’t feel comfortable saying definitively that he can’t win based on this one performance either.

“I will be back here… I will be back here”

George Kittle, the 49ers’ star tight end, uttered these words to himself on the sidelines as the Chiefs were celebrating their Super Bowl win. What should 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s message to his team be? And how would Seahawks coach Pete Carroll handle the kind of loss San Francisco suffered?

I wonder if it’s time for Jimmy G to assume the role as leader like Russell tried to when he took his Seahawks teammates on a trip to Hawaii in 2015.

Would you bet on the Niners to get back to the playoffs next year? It’s not uncommon for the Super Bowl’s losing team to take a huge step back the following year, for a number of reasons. How does that affect the NFC West? Where are the Rams? Are the Cardinals ready to win now?

Giants talk

Should the Giants sit Daniel Jones for a year and sign a veteran QB?

After what was essentially a full year as a starter, Jones gained a ton of experience, but if the Giants are trying to win now, they could go after a guy like Rivers or even Tom Brady and let Jones sit. It would be an unusual move to tell your presumptive QB of the future to ‘sit down and watch,’ but if the organization feels it has a shot at a great starter, wouldn’t that be tough to pass up?

The Giants are a really weird team. I wouldn’t put anything past them.

Baker Mayfield said he’s going to change his ways

Cleveland’s quarterback told Mike Greenberg’s ESPN show that he’s not going to respond to his criticism and is going to work on himself.

If you were new Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, what advice would you give to Mayfield? Be yourself, or change who you are? Something in between?

What makes Mayfield successful? His confidence, his abilities? Somehow, he has to be able to set goals and focus on them without letting external distractions get in the way. An NFL QB has to deal with a ton of responsibilities in this era, many of which may seem unfair. I’m not convinced he’s up to the challenge without self-destructing first, especially in that city.

Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Tom Wassell on Twitter.

Want more conversations like this? Subscribe to the Tom, Jake and Stacy podcast by clicking any of the links below:

• Apple Podcasts
• TuneIn
• Podbay
• Podbean
• Download the 710 ESPN Seattle app: Apple | Android

Jake and Stacy

Seahawks Drew Lock...

Stacy Rost

Seahawks Practice Snapshot: Good day for QB Drew Lock and offense

Stacy Rost details the latest from Seahawks practice as they're just days away from beginning the preseason against the Steelers on Saturday.

2 years ago

Michael Bumpus Stacy Rost...

SeattleSports.com Staff

New Seattle Sports show: ‘Bump and Stacy’ with Michael Bumpus and Stacy Rost

The next chapter of middays on Seattle Sports begins Monday with the debut of Bump and Stacy, co-hosted by Michael Bumpus and Stacy Rost.

2 years ago

Seahawks Sean Desai...

Brandon Gustafson

What new assistants Desai and Scott revealed about Seahawks’ defense

Jake Heaps breaks down some encouraging comments from new Seahawks defensive assistants Sean Desai and Karl Scott about the defense.

2 years ago

Seahawks Broncos Drew Lock...

Brandon Gustafson

Should Seahawks be OK going into 2022 with Smith or Lock at QB?

Are the Seahawks really comfortable with Geno Smith or Drew Lock as the starter? Jake Heaps thinks that isn't "an ideal situation."

2 years ago

Jake Heaps Stacy Rost...

SeattleSports.com Staff

Seattle Sports’ Jake Heaps announces departure from Jake & Stacy show

After four years with Seattle Sports, Jake Heaps will be leaving the Jake and Stacy show to enter a new chapter in his career.

2 years ago

Seahawks 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo...

Stacy Rost

3 things Seahawks fans should know about potential Jimmy G trade

The possibility of the Seahawks acquiring quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has picked up steam this week. Stacy Rost examines its viability.

2 years ago

Storylines: Would another B-minus offseason get Seahawks over the hump in 2020?