The Seattle Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy thanks to a dominant effort from its defense and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker’s brilliant 161-yard performance.
Just over a month later, though, the team already lost Walker to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and recently earned a few dubious honors from ESPN. In a new column examining the free agency deals thus far, the Seahawks were seen to have made the one of the most “head-scratching” moves and two ESPN analysts believed Seattle took the biggest step back in free agency with its host of moves – or lack thereof.
“The Seahawks signing running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal. It adds depth, but it doesn’t solve their bigger problem in the backfield,” wrote ESPN fantasy football expert Eric Moody. “Losing Walker to the Chiefs hurts, especially with Zach Charbonnet coming off a major injury and no clear short-term solution. With questions about the run game and a new playcaller in Brian Fleury, the Seahawks’ offensive identity suddenly feels far less certain.”
More NFL: Packers Floated as Landing Spot for Surprise QB After Losing Malik Willis
More Olympics: Olympics Under Fire After USA Wins ‘Rigged’ Gold Medal Over Canada
Both NFL insider Jeremy Fowler and sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado selected the Seahawks as the team that took the biggest step back following free agency.
“The Seahawks. They had six key free agents and lost four of them, retaining wideout Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Josh Jobe,” Fowler said before admitting the “step back” was a calculated move from the team.
“Instead of overpaying to keep the Super Bowl roster intact, the Seahawks can replenish by drafting quality players with their compensatory picks. Seattle also must budget for a Jaxon Smith-Njigba megadeal. Still, adding one more key player for coach Mike Macdonald — perhaps a third safety — would help the secondary.”
Maldonado, meanwhile, lamented the loss of Walker and hits to the defensive side of the ball.
“Walker’s explosiveness is gone from Seattle, Boye Mafe is missing from the pass-rush rotation and the secondary lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant. None of those moves breaks the team, but they collectively thin out the Seahawks’ depth,” she said.
She suggested the Seahawks “look to sign another edge rusher to replace the pass-rush depth lost and keep Macdonald’s defensive front rotating fresh.”
More NFL: Kenneth Walker Replacement Could Be Former Seahawks Rival
Read the full article here
