Seattle, WA

Seahawks 2024 Season Awards: Second-Year EDGE Wins Most Improved Player

Published

12 months ago

January 20, 2025

Seahawks 2024 Season Awards: Second-Year EDGE Wins Most Improved Player

It’s been just over two weeks since the Seattle Seahawks concluded their 2024 season. Even though it missed the playoffs, Seattle had multiple players worthy of recognition on a franchise level.

The Seahawks had just one Pro Bowler (cornerback Devon Witherspoon) and were absent from the Associated Press All-Pro teams despite a few players being worthy of recognition.

Our writing staff voted on season awards for the Seahawks on a team level via a ranked-choice system. A first-place vote is worth 10 points, a second-place vote is worth five points and a third-place vote is worth three points.

The awards mirror that of the NFL’s leaguewide awards, with the addition of a Most Improved Player honor. The other awards are: Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

First on the list of awards is the Seahawks’ Most Improved Player from the 2024 season. On the final voting tally, the number listed before a player’s name is their total points received and the number in parenthesis is the first-place votes received, if any.

Final voting: 1. 40, EDGE Derick Hall (3); 2. 31, S Coby Bryant (2); T-3. 8, CB Josh Jobe; T-3. 8, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba; 5. 3, LT Charles Cross

This was one of just two award races where multiple players received two or more first-place votes. Hall and Bryant both had strong cases, as each went from being backups last season to primary contributors or full-time starters by the end of the season.

Hall, a 2023 second-round pick, embarked on a rapid rise in 2024. After having zero sacks as a rookie last season, the former Auburn prospect tallied eight sacks this season in addition to 37 tackles, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a 36-yard scoop-and-score against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.

Even when he wasn’t bringing the quarterback down, Hall was consistently pressuring opposing passers, finishing tied for 10th among all edge rushers with 13 quarterback hits. His 45 total pressures tied for fourth among Seattle defenders.

Hall was expected to make at least somewhat of a leap this season, with a fellow Seahawks edge rusher praising the second-year player after recording his first career sack in Week 1.

“He’s hungry. He’s ready to go out there and prove what he can do,” veteran Uchenna Nwosu said of Hall during training camp in late July. “From the offseason training that he’s put in until now, you can see it out there. He’s committed more than ever.”

Perhaps nobody could have anticipated how good he would be in year two, with Boye Mafe and Nwosu expected to lead the edge rusher group. But Nwosu missed 11 games, opening the door for Hall to start 14.

Hall more than doubled his defensive snap count from 2023, finishing with 673 in his second season (308 as a rookie). His pressure rate jumped from just over 8 percent last season to 12.2 percent.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles while under pursuit from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58).

Oct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) fumbles while under pursuit from Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the first quarter at Lumen Field. New York recovered the fumble. / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Bryant in second feels fitting considering his evolution as a starting safety. That transition began last season, but Bryant played in just nine games.

Once former starter Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve, Bryant started Seattle’s final 11 games en route to by far the best season of his three-year career. Jenkins became the third safety once he returned to the lineup.

In 17 appearances, Bryant finished with 73 tackles, six pass deflections and three interceptions — one of which he returned 69 yards for a touchdown in Week 12. He did have 70 tackles, four forced fumbles and two sacks as a rookie in 2022, but he didn’t display the every-down talent that warranted making him a full-time starter.

Cornerback Josh Jobe and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tied for third.

Jobe went undrafted in 2022 and played two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being waived ahead of the 2024 season. Seattle signed Jobe to its practice squad in late August and he ended up playing in 10 games (six starts), totaling 37 tackles, seven pass deflections and an interception. He evolved into the starting outside cornerback opposite Riq Woolen in the latter part of the season.

Smith-Njigba led all Seahawks receivers with 100 catches, 1,130 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His reception total tied Tyler Lockett’s single-season record, set in 2020. Smith-Njigba is firmly in contention for other awards in this series.

Seahawks former first-round left tackle Charles Cross also received one third-place vote.

Hall’s production may jump even further in 2025 if edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones is cut as a result of his massive contract. Seattle’s younger options are producing more and are far cheaper.

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Seattle Seahawks’ home, road opponents set for 2026 season

Published

6 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks’ home, road opponents set for 2026 season

Patrick Mahomes and 2025 MVP candidate Drake Maye are set to make trips to Lumen Field to face the Seattle Seahawks next season.

The Seahawks’ nine home and eight road opponents are now set for the 2026 campaign. They will face what on paper will be a tough slate after securing the NFC West title this year, which means they will take on the reigning division champions from the NFC North, NFC South and AFC East in addition to their home-and-home series with their NFC rivals and matchups against each team from the NFC East and AFC West.

The numbers behind Seattle Seahawks’ defensive masterpiece vs 49ers

The full schedule with dates for games has yet to be released. The NFL typically unveils the following season’s schedule in May.

Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs and Maye’s New England Patriots coming to town are among the highlights of the Seahawks’ 2026 slate. They could also be in line for a reunion with former coach Pete Carroll, as a trip to Las Vegas to face the Raiders is on the docket. However, the Raiders are not expected to keep Carroll for a second season.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is in line to square off with one of his former mentors when Seattle hosts Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh was the head coach at the University of Michigan when Macdonald was the defensive coordinator in 2021. Harbaugh is also the dad of Seahawks special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh.

Seattle has three trips to the east coast next season where they will face the reigning NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles, reigning NFC South champion Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders. The Seahawks also faced the Panthers and Commanders on the road this season.

Here’s a full look at Seattle’s 2026 home and away opponents.

Home

• Arizona Cardinals
• Los Angeles Rams
• San Francisco 49ers
• Chicago Bears
• New England Patriots
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants

Away

• Arizona Cardinals
• Los Angles Rams
• San Francisco 49ers
• Carolina Panthers
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Denver Broncos
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Commanders

Find more info on how each team’s opponents are chosen here.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Seattle Seahawks GM shares positive updates on Bryant, Cross for playoffs
• Drake Thomas an unlikely hero in Seattle Seahawks’ landmark win
• Seahawks’ season-long commitment to run game pays off in massive win
• Stacy Rost: Seattle Seahawks show their fatal flaw may not matter
• The 5 biggest plays that delivered Seahawks’ win over 49ers

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Seattle, WA

Seattle’s Defense Wanted To Show It Was The ‘Best Defense In The NFL With Dominant Win

Published

18 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Seattle’s Defense Wanted To Show It Was The ‘Best Defense In The NFL With Dominant Win

Santa Clara—When Seattle’s defense stepped on the field for the Week 18 matchup against the 49ers, they had a few goals in mind, winning was of course one of those, but they wanted to show everyone watching they are the best defense in the league.

“We made up our mind that we were going to be the best defense in the NFL,” linebacker Uchenna Nwosu said. “We were going to show the world tonight and that’s what we did.”

As has been the case for the entire season, the Seahawks’ defense was once again a highlight in their 13-3 win. The Seahawks won, in part thanks to a dominant performance by the defense that held the San Francisco 49ers to just three points. The last time Kyle Shanahan’s offense was held to just three points was in his 49ers head coaching debut in 2017. Since then, San Francisco has scored at least 6 points in every game, until Saturday.

Coming into Saturday’s game, the 49ers were riding a three-game streak of great performances by its offense. Throughout all three of those games, San Francisco was averaging 42.3 points per game, 455.3 yards per game and 29.3 first downs per game.

Seattle’s defense held San Francisco to just 53 rushing yards, which included 21 yards from quarterback Brock Purdy, 127 yards through the air, a lone field goal, and just nine first downs. They also picked off Purdy once, sacked him three times and forced the 49ers to punt four times.

“They’re a tremendous offense,” head coach Mike Macdonald said following the game. “Probably top whatever in the league and have been doing it for a long time. They have great players, they have great coaches, and the numbers back it up. Our guys played great complimentary football today. They really did. I can’t say enough, but I can’t wait to watch the tape. There’s a lot of assists going on in there, guys rushing unselfishly to free somebody else up or to let somebody else have a two-way go so they can cover for them. How we played in the back end, it felt like we were ahead of plays. These guys did a great job. I’m looking forward to watching it.”

Christian McCaffery, one of San Francisco’s top offensive playmakers in both the run and passing game was held to his lowest rushing yards all season with 23 yards through the night and his fourth lowest receiving yards with 34.

Nick Emmanwori who had a team high seven tackles, as well as a tackle for loss and quarterback hit said, “Our front seven is the best in the world. Our D-Line is the best in the world. Got dudes like Jarran Reed, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy. Our edges are dogs. They handle business every week. We’ve got the best run defense I the league. It makes it easy for us on the back end.”

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What does the Buccaneers beating the Panthers mean for the Seahawks?

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

What does the Buccaneers beating the Panthers mean for the Seahawks?

We’ll have to wait one more day to learn who takes the NFC South crown.

The Buccaneers, losers of seven of their last eight coming into today, were able to piece together a tough, 16-14 win in bad weather against the Panthers. It was a calming three hours for the Bucs and their fans, who had seen their team go from theorized Super Bowl contender in the early months of the season to bottomless freefall.

Had the Panthers found a way to win today, the NFC South, and the #4 seed in the NFC, would have been determined. Instead, we’ll have to wait another day, as a matchup between the two NFC South rivals who are eliminated from the postseason entirely will now determine everything. Certainly ironic, but great for drama.

The New Orleans Saints travel to the Atlanta Falcons tomorrow to wrap up their respective seasons, and while they’re not playing for much more than pride, both the Buccaneers and Panthers will be watching with great interest. If the Falcons win, today will prove to be little more than a minor setback for Carolina, and they’ll win the division regardless.

However, should the Saints get the road upset, everything gets flipped. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were seemingly skidding towards a shocking early offseason, would be awarded the division on tiebreakers. Their Week Eight 23-3 victory over New Orleans, at the time seemingly innocuous, would end up salvaging their playoff spot.

Both Atlanta and New Orleans are on hot runs right now, the Falcons winners of three straight and the Saints on a four game streak. It’s a surprisingly compelling game given that both teams are guaranteed losing records on the season.

And this is very relevant to the Seattle Seahawks, because depending on tonight’s result in San Francisco, the NFC South division winner will either possibly, or definitely, be the team they play in their first playoff game.

If Seattle prevails tonight and takes the top seed in the NFC, it is entirely possible that their Divisional Round opponent is whoever comes out on top here. As the top seed, they play the lowest remaining seed, which would be either Carolina or Tampa Bay if all three home teams win on Wild Card Weekend. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s entirely possible.

On the other hand, if the Seahawks drop their game tonight and end up the #5 seeded NFC squad, then they’re drawing the winner of the NFC South in the first round for sure. Seattle has already played both teams this year, dropping an early-season bout to Tampa Bay 38-35, and just last week handling Carolina 27-10.

Of course, the Buccaneers were a far better team in that Week Five matchup, and the Seahawks have changed radically over the last three months as well, so it’s a matter of debate which team Seattle matches up better with. I imagine most Seahawks fans would feel good about either opponent, but there’s probably a preference somewhere in there.

Regardless, we’ll be waiting one more day to find out who the opponent will be, by which Seattle will already know if they’re watching the first round of the playoffs on a bye, or facing off against the south’s winner on the road.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images