Who is the Seahawks’ most important player in ’26?

Who’s the most important player for the Seattle Seahawks in 2026?

Breakdown: The Seahawks’ next contract extension candidates

That one is too easy. It’s quarterback Sam Darnold. How could it be any other player?

But the fact that you might be thinking of a few others instead speaks to a few things with this team. First, the construction: MVP Josh Allen is the single most important player for the Bills because he’s central to what they do offensively, particularly without top wideouts, and they’re trying to improve a league-worst rushing defense.

But Seattle? Seattle’s roster was stacked in 2025. They’re returning 20 of 22 starters and while it has questions of its own this year, there’s a much stronger supporting cast around Darnold (which tends to be used against him in criticism of his contributions, but that’s another conversation for another day).

Because of that depth — and because they’re a team led by a top defense — the Seahawks have a few candidates here.

• Michael Bumpus: Jadarian Price

“If it’s expanded to coaches it’s clearly [offensive coordinator] Brian Fleury, and my mind first went to Sam Darnold… but after that, I have to go with Jadarian Price. We just don’t know what he’s going to do,” Bumpus said. “Even with Sam’s turnover issues, I still know what I’m going to get out of him. I’m going to get some great performances, I’m going to get some turnovers, I’m going to get some game-winning drives, I’m going to get a couple sacks. I’ve seen his movie before. But I haven’t seen Price’s movie. We know Sam is at his best when he can hand the football off; last year he was third in the league in passing yards off of play action.”

The running back room was the single biggest question for this team entering the offseason. They lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency and will miss Zach Charbonnet for at least four weeks to start the season after he was placed on the reserve/PUP list. There are a few returning vets, like George Holani, and a first-round draft pick in Price, but little experience overall. Worried about Darnold turning the ball over? That’s helped when teams can’t force you into third-and-long situations all game and threaten you with a suffocating pass rush.

One thing that could work in Seattle’s favor here? Their offensive line, which is coming off its best season in more than a decade, is returning all five starters.

• Stacy Rost: Leonard Williams

“I think Jadarian and Sam are the ‘right’ answers here, but I’m sticking to an answer that I think you could make a case for that will also be overlooked: Leonard Williams. Think of all the roster moves and transactions and risk-taking and due diligence the Seahawks have done with their cornerback room. The Seahawks, to me, and I know you can never have enough defensive backs, feel like a team that might have some questions about that room. And for that matter, everyone has questions about safety with whether or not Nick Emmanwori’s starting Week 1. Losing Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen, I think they’ve got a few concerns or perhaps would like to add depth there. There’s something to the moves they’ve made to sign those free agents in particular — one of whom is under investigation (Terrion Arnold) and isn’t even playing with you and the other who hadn’t even been in a camp (Trevon Diggs). Those are moves to find upside. And you know what becomes really important if you’ve got some questions with DBs? Pass rush.”

Arnold and Diggs aren’t the only players the Seahawks added to that room; they also traded for Chargers cornerback Avery Smith. If “defensive line as a whole” can’t be an answer here, then how about the biggest name on it?

Hear the full conversation at this link. Catch Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app. 

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