Biggest Questions for the Seattle Seahawks in Training Camp

The Seattle Seahawks entered Training Camp last season with little-to-no expectations. After a remarkable 2022 season and an even better 2023 off-season, the Seahawks will have a chance to jump another hurdle by potentially clinching the NFC West division ahead of the San Francisco 49ers.

There is a strong belief that the Seahawks are getting better in all areas of their team than last season. The Seahawks doubled up on the weapons for Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith. The defense, led by the return of Bobby Wagner, is ready to get back to the early days of the Legion of Boom.

However, questions still surround the Seahawks as they enter 2023 Training Camp. What are the biggest questions for the Seahawks going into Training Camp on July 26?

4 Questions for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 Training Camp

1. How will the Seahawks distribute the ball to their alphas?

The front office decided to not only give Smith a future as the starting quarterback of the Seahawks, but they also decided to upgrade his weapons.

Seattle acquired wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet through the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. These two rookies will be added to an offense that was ranked ninth in the league in points per game (23.9) and 13th in total offense (351.5 total yards per game). The rookies joining veteran wide receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and second-year running back Kenneth Walker III will only improve the offense.

The biggest challenge to this group is creating plays and schemes to distribute the ball to those players effectively. Should that happen, Smith can utilize this loaded offense and create a high-level offense as he has established a connection with his new pass-catchers.

2. Who wins the interior offensive line roles?

The Seahawks entered last season with two rookies starting at offensive tackle. There is no concern with Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas going into year two in the league.

The main concern with the offensive line this 2023 NFL Season is in the interior. Damien Lewis comes in as the immediate starting left guard this upcoming season. The Seahawks currently have veterans Phil Haynes and Evan Brown pencilled in as the starting right guard and center, respectively.

While Haynes and Brown are capable of starting, they may face some pushback from talented rookies. Anthony Bradford has a chance of becoming a starting guard, likely during the season.

However, the biggest battle (on the offense) for the Seahawks is at center, between Evans and Olusegun Oluwatimi. The battle could be decided by the end of Training Camp.

Stabilizing the offensive line remains a critical objective this upcoming season.

Last season, the Seahawks averaged 62 rushing yards per game in Weeks 10 through 15. Much of the problem with the Seahawks’ rushing game was the instability of the offensive line. Whether Seattle has veterans starting in the interior, or two rookies, they need to solidify their starters.

3. What is the situation at inside linebacker?

This off-season was huge for the Seahawks as they were able to get six-time All-Pro linebacker Wagner to return after one season with the Los Angeles Rams. Wagner’s return will be a huge addition to the defense through all phases of the game.

In particular, Wagner will help relieve the pressure of the potential absence of Jordyn Brooks. Brooks will need time to recover from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 17 last season.

To replace Brooks, the Seahawks signed former first-round linebacker Devin Bush. Bush looks to revitalize his professional career by in Seattle. With the unknown timeline of Brooks and the loss of Cody Barton to free agency, the Seahawks will need Training Camp to solidify the inside linebacker hierarchy outside of Wagner and Bush.

4. Is there controversy at cornerback?

Defending against the rushing game was easily the biggest concern for the Seahawks’ defense this past season.

Despite that, the Seahawks still decided to use the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on cornerback Devon Witherspoon. He is expected to be a starter opposite Pro-Bowl corner Tariq Woolen.

This leaves Michael Jackson, who started all 17 games, on the outside in 2022. With Woolen recovering from knee surgery in late May, Witherspoon and Jackson were the starting corners during minicamp. Jackson had one of the best performances in minicamp, according to head coach Pete Carroll.

When Woolen returns, it will be difficult to determine if Jackson or Witherspoon will be the number two cornerback. This Training Camp should be used to determine if Jackson can carry over his great minicamp performance. However, Witherspoon might be deemed to be a more efficient slot corner in his transition to the NFL game anyway.