Seahawks GM John Schneider says team needs to address critical flaw to grow
During the 2022 NFL season, scoring points wasn’t the problem, it was figuring out how to stop the other team from doing the same.
Apparently, the sting of losing never wears off. At least for Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, that appears to be the case.
Roughly two months removed from watching the San Francisco 49ers dismantle the Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs, Schneider is looking for Seattle's defense to improve in a critical area this offseason: the defensive line. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Schneider didn't hold back regarding the porous defense that ranked in the bottom half of the league in both run defense and quarterback pressures. Improvement is not a mere possibility, it is a must.
"We need to be better up front. I think it was pretty evident," Schneider said. "We were on the field a lot. We didn't we didn't defend the run game well. We had some games in there where we did a really nice job. And then, we had several games that didn't go so well. We know what the issues are and we're ready to attack them and fix them."
Claiming a desire to improve is one thing. Going out there and actually doing so is another.
Under a new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, growing pains were expected. But not even Pete Carroll could have foreseen just how much the defensive front would struggle to generate any pressure on offenses.
What was disheartening for Seattle was that the defensive line was supposed to be a pillar of strength on the team. The line was anchored by Shelby Harris, Poona Ford, and Al Woods. That was supposed to be good enough.
But there is a reason football isn't played on paper. Players must produce on the field. And though veteran-heavy, the Seahawks' front line didn't do so.
Between injuries and playing out of position, Seattle's defensive line never found its footing. Teams were able to run on them all game. And opposing quarterbacks were able to sit back and feel the breeze because of the lack of pressure.
So come draft night, Seattle currently holds four selections in the first 52 picks, including the No. 5 overall pick acquired from Denver as part of the Russell Wilson trade in 2022.
Schneider should use that pick to snag a defensive difference maker. Think Pittsburgh's Calijah Kancey to Wisconsin's Keeanu Benton.
If the draft isn't the place where Schneider wants to upgrade the defense, he can also do so in free agency with veterans like Daron Payne set to hit the market. One thing remains clear, however. Seattle isn't waiting around for its defensive line to get better. The organization is making sure it solves the critical problem early in the offseason.
Feature image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports.
