Why Seahawks can't afford to miss playoffs again in 2025

This is a rising team, but they would be in a much better place if the offense hadn't required so much turnover this offseason. For the third straight season, they are having to learn a new system, and there's now the added complication of a new quarterback, new wide receiver corps and retooled offensive line. It could either be a huge boost, especially with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak leading the unit, or it could see the offense regress even more than it did under Ryan Grubb in 2024.

On that same thought: The pick of left guard Grey Zabel must be a good one. Seattle doesn't have a single offensive lineman that they drafted before 2022 still on the roster. It's time they start turning their picks in the trenches into quality blockers, or the offense will only continue to fall short of expectations.

The upcoming contracts are the main reason the Seahawks need to be in win-now mode. Starters Charles Cross, Kenneth Walker III, Abraham Lucas, Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant are all eligible for extensions this offseason, as is pass-rusher Boye Mafe. Chances are, a few will get deals before the regular season, while the rest will need to be addressed before free agency opens in 2026.

Seattle is currently 10th in effective cap space in 2025 ($30.66 million), eighth in 2026 ($55.89 million) and 11th in 2027 ($136.1 million), per Over The Cap, but that money will evaporate quickly if Seattle starts handing out starting-caliber contracts to those players. Starters Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will also be eligible next offseason, in addition to rising pass-rusher Derick Hall and running back Zach Charbonnet.

Put simply, the Seahawks are reaching a point where a huge chunk of their core players need to be paid. That can either tear apart a team if handled incorrectly by the front office, or can help secure a team's competitive future if they're pushing for playoff victories and the players can cash their checks. Now that hefty deals for DK Metcalf and a quarterback are no longer on the priority list, general manager John Schneider has to nail this round of second contracts.

If Seattle doesn't lock down any of those players this offseason and again misses the playoffs, that could sour negotiations in 2026 as players decide to try and go somewhere they can compete for championships. That could have the Seahawks starting from scratch once again.

Seattle has been a middling team for the last four seasons, even though it made the postseason in 2022. Their current trajectory has them headed back toward being contenders, but it has to start in 2025.