Former Seahawks star Richard Sherman thinks his old team could be going back-to-back in 2026.
The Seattle Seahawks' approach this offseason after winning the Super Bowl has been an odd one.
The franchise loses a handful of key starters and rotational players, yet seems content to bank on the internal development of the roster, the younger players stepping up, and the draft to cover those losses.
Still with no Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, Kenneth Walker, and Coby Bryant, some think the Seahawks will regress under Mike Macdonald due to the fact that none of those players have been replaced.
Plus, with only four picks in the NFL Draft, it isn't like Seattle can have a handful of dart throws on players either.
But while some doubt the Seahawks' ability to repeat as NFL champs, former player Richard Sherman isn't as negative about his old team.
Speaking on the Richard Sherman podcast, the star corner has full belief in what Seattle is doing.
“Nothing this offseason has led me to believe the Seattle Seahawks are not going to be the favorites going into this season,” Sherman said. “They have lost pieces that they feel like they can replace, and I can agree with that.
"I think Kenneth Walker is a guy that had an incredible run through the playoffs, an incredible end of the season, and made a lot of plays, including the Super Bowl MVP.
“I don’t think they saw him as an irreplaceable piece to this team. Obviously, he split time with [Zach] Charbonnet throughout most of the season. I think Coby Bryant, they feel like Ty Okada did a great job throughout the season. I feel really good about the team and just the scheme that they're running."
So, Sherman feels good about the roster's current construction, and we have spoken at length about how well-rounded the Seahawks' roster under Macdonald is. We are going to see how well-rounded in 2026.
Of course, adding some more players in free agency would have been ideal, but general manager John Schneider and his brain trust clearly feel confident in the players they have on the roster to fill those gaps.
Time will tell if the Seahawks' faith is misplaced, but given they are the Super Bowl champs, they get the benefit of the doubt.
Many think the Seahawks will struggle to repeat as champs, even though it is extremely hard to do anyway, but Seattle still appears to be in good shape to defend its title.
According to Sherman, anyway.