John Schneider’s Seahawks had a stunning first week of free agency, unexpectedly trading both Geno Smith and DK Metcalf and then quickly replacing Smith with Sam Darnold.

They also re-signed two big pieces of their defense, Ernest Jones IV and Jarran Reed. And they brought in Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cooper Kupp to help replace Metcalf and the released Tyler Lockett. DeMarcus Lawrence was added to beef up their front seven (especially in the run game).

They bid big ($17 million a year) but missed out on the top free-agent guard, Will Fries. But they still might end up with one of the top guards; Teven Jenkins (Chicago) is due in for a visit to the VMAC on Monday.

After a week of free agency, the defense – already on schedule to be a top-five unit in 2025 — is a bit better, and the offense is still rebuilding after the surprising mini-teardown.

Let’s take a look at the roster.

Quarterback

The news: The Hawks thought they were going to get an extension with Smith, but negotiations quickly deteriorated and they ended up deciding to send Smith to Pete Carroll’s Raiders, where he probably preferred to go anyway. The Hawks quickly moved to sign Darnold to a three-year deal worth up to $115.5 million; it could be a one-year deal for $37.5 million or a two-year deal for $65 million.

The status: Darnold – seven years younger than Smith — is reunited with OC Klint Kubiak, and the hope is that Darnold continues to build on his breakout 2024 season with the Vikings. If he does, they surely will give him a better deal in 2027 and he will be Mike Macdonald’s QB into the 2030s. That is the ideal. … Sam Howell is the backup for now, signed through 2025. He did not look good in Ryan Grubb’s offense, but Schneider thinks he is a much better fit in Kubiak’s scheme.

What’s next: Many are hopeful that this is the year Schneider finally drafts a QB again. Well, the hope is that Darnold is the QB for the rest of the decade. But it never hurts to drafts QBs. The Hawks have enough draft capital (10 picks, four on Day 2) to use one on a QB, but it would not be a surprise if Schneider passed yet again.

What Macdonald said about Darnold: “I think Sam’s best days are ahead of him, and I think you’ve seen that through the course of his career. He was able to grow as a player. … When you play quarterbacks or quarterbacks on your team, you want to feel them in the game, and you definitely feel Sam’s presence, poise and competitiveness. Accuracy, the downfield threat, that’s definitely a part of it, and then in being able to run the show, too, operationally, Sam can do it with the best of them as well.”

Running back

The news: None.

The status: The Hawks are set with a solid trio – Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh. Walker is in the final year of his rookie deal and Charbs is signed through 2026.

What’s next: The Hawks should not extend Walker. He gets nicked up a lot, so just let him play out his deal and see whether he is worth re-signing in 2026 to reasonable money. … This is a strong draft for running backs, and it would not be a surprise if the Hawks ended up adding one on Day 3 – especially one who could play fullback in Kubiak’s preferred 2-1 personnel.

Wide receiver

The news: The Hawks traded Metcalf and a 6 to Pittsburgh for a 2 and 7. They also cut Tyler Lockett. The first reinforcement was Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who played for Kubiak in New Orleans in 2024. Then came Kupp, the home-state hero and 2021 NFL offensive player of the year who has had a lot of big games with the Rams vs. Seattle.

The status: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kupp and MVS are on par with the 2024 trio of JSN, Metcalf and Lockett – and they all have experience in versions of the offense Kubiak runs. Kupp has missed 18 games over three years, so he will require close management to make sure he is available for most of the season (14 games would be a win). Expect a lot of veteran rest days for him as the Hawks try to keep him fresh.

What’s next: With MVS signed only for one year and Kupp’s reliability a constant question, the Hawks would be smart to use one of their Day 2 picks on a receiver. … JSN will be up for an extension in 2026.

What Schneider said about MVS: “MVS is big for us, being able to take the top off (an offense), after losing DK, so that became a priority for us.”

Tight end

The news: Brady Russell was brought back on an ERFA tender.

The status: Noah Fant is still the No. 1 tight end for 2025, the final year of the extension he signed in 2024. Kubiak likes using tight ends, so Fant could be playing for another extension. … A.J. Barner had a nice rookie season and seems like the next Will Dissly – a good all-around role player.

What’s next: It would not be a surprise to see Schneider draft a tight end, especially one who could play H-back in Kubiak’s offense. Seems like a good use of a Day 3 pick.

Offensive line

The news: The Hawks gave it a run to sign Fries, but he didn’t want to take a physical (he missed most of 2024 with a broken leg) and signed with the Vikings instead. … The Hawks added swing tackle Josh Jones from Baltimore to replace the released George Fant. … They have a shot at Jenkins, who will visit Monday.

The status: The Hawks have not yet improved this unit from 2024 – unless you count the new coaching staff, which includes line coach John Benton and run game coordinator Rick Dennison. … Other than Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, the line is full of questions. Olu Oluwatimi is the incumbent center, and several other recent Round 3-6 players would fight for the guard spots, barring a veteran addition.

What’s next: The Hawks still need a starting left guard and also could use a veteran center. Jenkins and Garrett Bradbury (expected to be cut by the Vikings) could satisfy both spots. Then they really need to use at least one of their three picks in the first two rounds on a guard. … Right tackle looms as a need, too, as Lucas is in the final year of his contract. … Cross should be extended at some point. The Hawks reportedly are leaning toward using the fifth-year option on him. That deadline is May 1, and the price would be about $17.6 million.

What Schneider said: “Does (missing on Fries) mean that you start panicking and throwing money at other guys who aren’t quite as good? No. You make the smart, patient decisions. … We want to address it, but (Benton and Dennison) are experts, and they like our guys. They see growth, they see positive development, positive futures with them. But it’s an area we want to address.”

Defensive line

The news: Jarran Reed was a major priority internally, and the Hawks brought him back for about $7 million a year. … The Hawks also cut Dre Jones and Roy Robertson-Harris, saving around $18 million.

The status: Reed, Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy are a solid top three. Mike Morris and Cameron Young are the top reserves. The Hawks still need a nose tackle to replace Johnathan Hankins.

What’s next: The Hawks should look to the draft for a nose tackle. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant or Ohio State’s Tyliek Williams would be good options.

What Macdonald said about Reed: “He’s the foundational piece to what we’re doing. It starts with him up front. That’s the way it was last year, and he proved it day in, day out in the building, which is arguably probably just as important as what he does on Sunday. Just his effect on the rest of the people and the young guys in the room. … Leonard and his development as a leader too, Jarran was helpful with that. I thought he played really great football for us too. That was a really important signing. That was awesome.”

Inside linebacker

The news: The Seahawks kept Ernest Jones IV on a team-friendly deal ($11 million a year). Before all of the drama that necessitated changes at quarterback and receiver, Jones was the top priority. So it is great they got him re-signed.

The status: Jones and Tyrice Knight return as the two inside ‘backers. Depth includes Drake Thomas and Josh Ross.

What’s next: The Hawks could/should look to add a linebacker in the draft – probably on Day 3.

What Macdonald said about Jones:  “We got way better when E.J. got here (via trade in October 2024). There’s a poise there, there’s a presence, there’s a physicality, there’s a toughness, the intelligence. (He’s) the gravitational force on defense, where guys trust him and that can kind of give everybody a sense of confidence around them as well. Defense is built inside out, so you’ve got to be strong up the middle. E.J. provided that for us, and (he’s) a heck of a guy, too. You want to be around him, and you want him leading your defense.”

Outside linebacker

The news: The Hawks added DeMarcus Lawrence from Dallas.

The status: Lawrence will be 33 in April and is coming off an injury-busted year, but he still should boost the run defense and be a solid rotational pass rusher with Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. The latter two combined for 14 sacks in 2024. Mafe is signed through 2025, Hall and Nwosu through 2026. Nwosu might not last that long though, if he cannot stay healthy in 2025. He has missed 22 games over the past two seasons.

What’s next: Nwosu now has the highest cap hit on the team, at over $21 million, and the Hawks are trying to rework the injury-plagued player’s deal. … The draft appears full of good edge rushers, and the Hawks should look to add one on Day 2 to mitigate future turnover at the position. … There is a possibility that the Hawks could offer a team-friendly extension to Mafe, but would he be better off trying to bump his value in 2025?

What Macdonald said about Lawrence: “How he sees the game, his football intelligence, I think, is really underrated. This guy is a savant of the game. And when you play as ruggedly and as aggressively as he does as well, that’s a heck of a combination.”

Cornerback

The news: The Seahawks retained Josh Jobe on a one-year deal for about $1.9 million.

The status: The Hawks have a solid core of Jobe, superstar Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Nehemiah Pritchett. Woolen is in the final year of his deal, scheduled to make around $5 million. Witherspoon will be up for an extension in 2026.

What’s next: If they can trade Woolen for a Day 2 pick, they should – they are not likely to re-sign him in 2026. … The Hawks also should look to add a corner on Day 2 of the draft, to reload ahead of 2026.

What Jobe said: “I felt like I had a breakout season last year, and I’ve got to keep it going. I’m not done yet; I’ve still got more to prove.”

Safety

The news: The Seahawks cut Rayshawn Jenkins.

The status: Julian Love, a major team leader, is signed through 2027. Coby Bryant, who took over at free safety in 2024, is signed through 2025. Depth includes A.J. Finley and Jerrick Reed.

What’s next: The Hawks probably should look to draft a safety in the third round or later. There is a chance the Hawks might extend Bryant at some point later this year, but that is low priority.

Special teams

The news: None.

The status: Michael Dickson is signed through 2025 and Jason Myers through 2026.

What’s next: The Hawks likely will extend Dickson this summer. He is already the top-paid punter at about $3.7 million a year. … Myers, paid among the top-10 kickers, could see another extension in 2026.