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The Seahawks' Defense Will Only Get Scarier in 2026
during Super Bowl LX at Levi'sMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Seahawks' Defense Will Only Get Scarier in 2026

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Bryce Lazenby  |  Last updated Sep 21, 2026 10:06 PM ET
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When Mike Macdonald was hired by the Seattle Seahawks, one thing became clear immediately- the defense was going to get much better.

Well, not only has the defense gotten better, but it’s now the best unit in the league. The Seahawks are elite against the run and against the pass, while getting enough pressure to make the lives of opposing quarterbacks very difficult.

Through two weeks, the Seahawks have only allowed two touchdowns. The Patriots managed just 10 points in Week 1, while Jacoby Brissett of the Cardinals threw for fewer than 100 yards in Week 2.

The scary thing is, the Seahawks aren’t even playing at full strength right now. That’s right- this defense is only going to get scarier as the season goes on.

Nick Emmanwori, Ty Okada Will Only Help


© Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Ty Okada has missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. Nick Emmanwori missed Week 1 and then played just nine snaps in Week 2 as he works his way back from his own injury.

Emmanwori was a game-time decision, and the team decided to play him on a snap count. Emmanwori and Okada were awesome for the Seahawks in 2025, so it’s crazy to think about how good this defense has been even without the two stud defenders.

The good news is, Emmanwori expects to be full-go from here on out.

Can the Seahawks Defense Even Get Better?

It’s hard to imagine how this unit could even get better. As mentioned above, teams are having a tremendously difficult time scoring on this defense, and the unit is first in several categories.

Julian Love has been phenomenal at safety without Emmanwori and Okada. Love has an interception in both games in 2026, and he had probably his best-ever game in Week 1 against the Patriots.

With Okada and Emmanwori back in the fold, this defense will be impossible to throw on. That’s not even mentioning the elite defensive front anchored by Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II.

Emmanwori is now at full strength, or close to it, and Okada should be back any time now. Offenses had a chance to get the Seahawks while they were below full strength, and they didn’t take advantage.

Seattle Seahawks Essentials

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This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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