How the Seattle Seahawks’ offense has changed this offseason – NFC West

RENTON, Wash. — In addition to whomever replaces quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks‘ offense will have a new primary target at tight end, a new No. 2 running back who figures to get plenty of work and, in all likelihood, three new starters on its offensive line.

Indeed, the changes the Seahawks made on that side of the ball this offseason go well beyond quarterback.

But we’ll start there as we take a position-by-position look at Seattle’s offense with a verdict on whether each is better, worse or the same compared to 2021.

Quarterback

Additions: Drew Lock

Losses: Russell Wilson

Returners: Geno Smith, Jacob Eason

Better, worse or the same: Worse

When you go from a likely Hall of Famer to a pair of replacement options who haven’t been able to hold down starting jobs, it isn’t a question of whether you’re going to be worse at quarterback but of how significant the drop-off will be.

After all, Wilson’s career-low 54.7 Total QBR in 2021 is better than what Lock has managed in any of his three NFL seasons. Smith has posted a higher QBR only once in nine seasons (2015).

Which begs two questions: Why didn’t the Seahawks make a stronger run at Baker Mayfield, who was acquired for next to nothing? And could they still go after Jimmy Garoppolo?

The former 49ers starter hasn’t been medically cleared following shoulder surgery and with the start of training camp only two weeks away, he’d have to learn a new offense and build chemistry with a new group of pass-catchers quickly. Also, the Seahawks — even with mediocre defenses in recent seasons — have had his number since his trade to San Francisco. So how big of an upgrade would they consider him to be over their current options?

The Seahawks believe Lock has much more upside than the shaky start to his career suggests and think a different coaching style can help coax better play out of him. But he’ll have to beat out Smith first, and Lock was behind in that race when the offseason program ended.

Running back

Additions: Ken Walker III, Darwin Thompson

Losses: Alex Collins, Adrian Peterson

Returners: Rashaad Penny, *Chris Carson, DeeJay Dallas, Travis…