Super Bowl: Seahawks built roster perfect for coach’s scheme

Since the arrival of head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seattle Seahawks' roster has transformed into an incredible blend of impact rookies, valuable trade acquisitions and home-run free agent signings.

BY MICHAEL STRITE

Feb 2, 2026, 9:28 AM Updated: 9:31 am

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Since the arrival of head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seattle Seahawks’ roster has transformed into an incredible blend of impact rookies, valuable trade acquisitions and home-run free agent signings.

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The high success rate earned general manager John Schneider the Pro Football Writers of America’s Executive of the Year award. A closer look at the 2025 Seahawks reveals around 90% of the starting lineup is playing some of its best football.

Dividing the roster into groups based on pro experience highlights what a balanced group the front office has built.

Standout rookies

• LG Grey Zabel
• S Nick Emmanwori

Talk about hitting a home run with your first two picks in this draft. Second-round pick Emmanwori is one of three players nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and first-rounder Zabel’s rookie campaign certainly helped the offense jump from 18th to third in the NFL in points per game.

Second-year gems

• C Jalen Sundell
• DT Byron Murphy
• TE AJ Barner

All three second-year players who saw significant playing time this season took a big step forward. Murphy was a terrific run stopper who tied for the team lead with seven sacks.

Third-year weapons

• RB Zach Charbonnet
• WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• RG Anthony Bradford
• S Ty Okada
• CB Devon Witherspoon
• LB Drake Thomas

What an immensely valuable group of players here. On defense, Witherspoon was named second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press and first-team All-Pro by Pro Football Focus. On offense, Smith-Njigba took the league by storm as its leading receiver and could easily win NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The 2023 draft changed the direction of the franchise. The fifth overall pick acquired from Denver in the Russell Wilson trade netted Witherspoon, and the Seahawks picked up JSN with their original pick at No. 20. The second round got them Derick Hall and Charbonnet, as well.

Fourth-year anchors

• RB Kenneth Walker III
• RT Abraham Lucas
• LT Charles Cross
• S Coby Bryant
• CB Riq Woolen
• OLB Boye Mafe

None of these players made the All-Pro team this year, but you know what is so special about this group? They were all drafted together in 2022. Cross went ninth overall, followed by Mafe and Walker in the second round, Lucas in the third round, Bryant in the fourth round and Woolen as a hidden gem in the fifth round. Through the combination of great scouting and player development, every one of them is still a valuable part of the roster in the fourth year of their careers. A shout-out to Lucas and Cross who played 100% and 96% of the team’s offensive snaps this year, respectively.

Savvy pickups

• WR Rashid Shaheed
• CB Josh Jobe
• LB Ernest Jones IV

Jobe was scooped up as a free agent in 2024. The Titans traded Jones to the Seahawks in 2024, and the Saints traded Shaheed in 2025. All three moves look brilliant for Seattle right now, with everyone playing some of their best football in the prime of their careers.

The veterans

• QB Sam Darnold (year 8)
• OLB Uchenna Nwosu (year 8)
• P Michael Dickson (year 8)
• WR Cooper Kupp (year 9)
• K Jason Myers (year 11)
• DT Leonard Williams (year 11)
• DE DeMarcus Lawrence (year 12)

You have to start with Darnold and Kupp here – two fantastic free agent pickups. You probably aren’t playing in the Super Bowl without them. On special teams, Myers led the NFL in points this year and Dickson was named second-team All-Pro. On defense, Lawrence and Williams are two of the oldest players on the roster, and they’ve turned back the clock to be game-wreckers on the defensive line. Neither of them look like they’ve lost a step.

Macdonald has talked a lot about complementary football, with the offense, defense and special teams all feeding into each other’s success. It’s worth taking a step back and celebrating what a complementary roster this is. With major contributions being made by players at every stage of their careers, and a beautiful mix of talent both young and old, it’s no surprise the Seahawks are on the cusp of a Super Bowl title.