The Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champs, but one sportsbook doesn't think they are the favorites heading into the new season.
NFL free agency is in full swing, and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, as expected, have seen their roster raided.
Kenneth Walker, Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe, and Coby Bryant have all moved on, with the franchise focusing on retaining their own free agents. As opposed to being players for outside free agents.
At this time of the season, it is truly hard to gauge which teams will be better and which will be worse.
Yes, we have an idea, based on signings and coaching changes, but that is all a projection.
We might think the Seahawks will be worse given the players they've lost, but a new offensive coordinator could see the unit flourish in a different way.
So, is it fair to think that, as things stand, Seattle should be Super Bowl favorites heading into next year?
Well, DraftKings dropped its Super Bowl odds back on March 7 via Fox Sports, and the Seahawks aren't the favorites. The Los Angeles Rams are.
"The Seahawks won the NFC West at 14-3, while the Rams finished second in the division at 12-5," the website wrote. "In their three matchups this past season (twice in the regular season and once in the playoffs), Seattle won two, outscoring Los Angeles 88-85.
"Things are looking up for the Rams, however, as star quarterback and reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford announced he will return next season, and they recently traded for star cornerback Trent McDuffie, a first-team All-Pro selection in 2023. With that, the Rams moved ahead of the Seahawks on the board, after Seattle opened as the favorite to repeat immediately after their win over New England."
Is that fair to the Seahawks?
You could make that case.
The Rams have added top-tier players while keeping the majority of their roster intact.
The Seahawks? They've seen a handful of starters all walk out the door, and at least up until now, haven't replaced them. Plus, with only four picks in the draft, that isn't ample ammunition to fill holes either.
Yes, Seattle has a well-rounded roster, but that roster now has holes, and it is clear the oddsmakers think the franchise is a worse version than last year.
And that means the defending champs aren't favorites to retain their title.