The Seattle Seahawks‘ heartbreaking Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears eliminated them from playoff contention.
It’s like they’re diving into the unknown because they’ve been perennial contenders over the last decade.
The Seahawks missed the postseason twice and will only have their second losing record since 2011.
Their 5-10 slate is far from the previous three years wherein they had double-digit victories.
Me and Jody Allen need to have a discussion about the future of the seahawks. #JustSayin
— Kameron Chancellor (@KamChancellor) December 28, 2021
They will also relinquish the NFC West title, which they have won four times since 2013.
Time caught up with the Seahawks as their performance regressed each passing week.
They’re not the same team that struck fear into the other NFL teams.
The front office also failed to sustain its success by drafting excellent prospects or trading for quality free agents.
Final from Lumen Field.#GoHawks x @EQCasino pic.twitter.com/S4zgP70rn5
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 27, 2021
With Seattle’s championship window officially closed, changes are coming for the Super Bowl XLVIII champions.
Here’s what they must revamp to become competitive again.
3. Upgrade The Offensive Line
Last season, the Seahawks lost their Wild Card game to the Los Angeles Rams at home because the pocket kept on collapsing.
Russell Wilson had to scramble to keep plays alive if he hadn’t taken a hit from the Rams’ pass rushers.
The constant disruption of their blocking gave them little time to execute well on offense.
Unfortunately, that same concern has persisted throughout the 2021 NFL season.
Why the @Seahawks continue to push a run heavy offense with a horrible offensive line and a mobile franchise QB is beyond me
— Mason Lutz (@MasonL193) December 22, 2021
The Seahawks have allowed 44 sacks, the fifth-most this year.
They’re just five away from the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears, who are co-leaders in the category.
However, that number alone indicates that they must find players who will hold the fort for their quarterback.
Whether via the draft or free agency, acquiring dependable offensive linemen must be one of their priorities in the upcoming offseason.
2. Their Defense Needs Help
Yes, the Seahawks defense may limit opponents to 20.5 points per game.
But that number is a façade of what’s happening on every snap.
Bears are a poor 3rd down offense (and just bad in general) but continue to convert 3rd downs against a Seahawks defense that's normally good on 3rd down.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) December 26, 2021
Their inability to keep opposing offenses off the field puts pressure on their offense to do much with little time.
In their loss against Chicago alone, the Bears had possession for about 38 game minutes.
Their offense isn’t explosive enough to create many points in 22 minutes, and that disadvantage kept the losses coming.
Seattle badly needs better players in their secondary, mainly because they allow the second-most passing yards per game at 270.9.
1. Revamp Their Football Think Tank
This campaign might be Wilson’s final hurrah for the Seahawks.
Whether he stays or not, team owner Jody Allen needs to fire the key personnel on their coaching staff and front office.
Shane Waldron’s outdated schemes are hindering D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Freddie Swain from explosive performances on offense.
Ken Norton Jr. isn’t much of a help on defense, while John Schneider must go for all the terrible decisions he has made lately.
Asked Pete Carroll if Jody Allen has blessed the coach's view that Seahawks don't need to start over or change philosophy for 2022 and beyond.
Carroll says Allen and he have stayed in agreement on vision and franchise direction throughout.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 27, 2021
Finally, their failures ultimately fall onto Pete Carroll, who yields much control over the organization.
Aside from being the head coach, he gets the final say on roster moves because Schneider advises him.
There was a time when he was one of the best coaches in the NFL.
Sadly, that time is over, and they all have to go.
Just wanna mention this before whatever is going to happen with Pete happens: The Pete Carroll era was an undisputed overwhelming success and the greatest run in Seattle pro sports history. Was too young to remember the 79 Sonics run. He gave me my first title. That's how I feel
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) December 27, 2021
A fresh start is what the organization will need to rebuild the team with or without Wilson.
Any remnants of this season’s think tank will only set them further back.
NEXT: The Seahawks Must Disband And Rebuild