The Seahawks fell to last place in the NFC West after a critical Week 9 loss to their division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams. Fans and analysts are now questioning where the team will go from here. Naturally, much of the criticism centered on quarterback Geno Smith.
While Smith has struggled recently and made some questionable decisions, benching him for Sam Howell would not solve Seattle’s problems. The Seahawks’ most glaring weakness lies in their offensive line, which has been a longstanding issue and is currently one of the worst in the league.
Geno Smith Isn’t to Blame for the Seahawks Offensive Struggles
Smith has been pressured on a league-high 153 dropbacks this season, amounting to a staggering 39.6 percent pressure rate. Perhaps more concerning is that 93 of these pressures came from initial blocks that eventually collapsed. This indicates that Seattle’s offensive line can’t maintain protection.
With the line consistently breaking down, Smith is under relentless pressure. It’s led to poor results even from a quarterback who normally performs well with a clean pocket.
Geno Smith has faced an NFL-high 93 pressures that were charted as a) originally “blocked” and b) still became a pressure on the QB within 2.5 seconds. That means the Seahawks are identifying who to block and they instantly can’t hold up. All game long. https://t.co/VypcwZNoi8
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) November 4, 2024
Smith’s performance stats underscore the impact of pressure. When under duress, he has a 49.2 percent completion rate (13th in the league), a passer rating of 49.5 (26th), and a league-high nine interceptions. In a clean pocket, however, Smith has proven himself reliable. He’s completed 78.1 percent of his passes and posting a 108.6 passer rating, which ranks 10th in the NFL.
The offensive line’s ineffectiveness has thus derailed Seattle’s offense, impacting both the passing game and the run game, with both units failing to deliver consistent production.
In the Week 9 loss to the Rams, Seattle’s offensive line issues were particularly glaring on the right side. The right side of the line allowed four sacks, 10 pressures and a quarterback hit. Interceptions have also become a consequence of these breakdowns, as Smith has often been hit during release or been impacted by his receivers’ mistakes.
For instance, DK Metcalf’s route miscommunication against the 49ers led to a turnover, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s bobbled catch attempt resulted in another interception. These issues show how interconnected Seattle’s offensive problems are. Unfortunately for Smith, he’s bearing the brunt of blame despite his unfavorable conditions.
Seahawks Choose to Keep Current Line
Despite this glaring problem, the Seahawks chose not to bolster the offensive line at the trade deadline. Charles Cross has been a standout player on the line. However, other recent additions like Connor Williams and George Fant, along with Stone Forsythe (now on injured reserve), have provided minimal help. There’s hope that tackle Abe Lucas will return soon, which could slightly improve the right side, but his return alone is unlikely to resolve Seattle’s broader protection issues.
With Seattle’s offensive line challenges drawing attention, some of the criticism has shifted to General Manager John Schneider, who has faced backlash for his inability to construct a formidable line during his 15-year tenure. Although he has made attempts, like trading for former Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown, Seattle’s offensive line draft picks, such as Germain Ifedi, Phil Haynes, and Jamarco Jones, have largely failed to pan out.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are approaching a pivotal offseason. Addressing the offensive line will be critical if Seattle wants to become a playoff contender. Schneider will be under pressure to prioritize this positional group and make more aggressive moves to provide Smith, or any future quarterback, with the protection they need. Will this offseason finally mark a turning point for Seattle’s offensive line, or will the Seahawks continue to struggle in this critical area?
Main Photo Courtesy of Steven Bisig – Imagn Images
