The Seattle Seahawks head into the bye week sitting at 5-2 — a record that looks impressive on paper, but one that leaves fans still searching for answers about what this team truly is. On the latest episode
of The Hawks Eye Podcast, I was joined by Corbin Smith of Locked on Seahawks and Emerald City Spectrum to break down Seattle’s first-half storylines and what lies ahead.
The episode opens with the big question: “5-2, but how good are the Seahawks really?” (at the 2:58 mark) we dive into what the record does and doesn’t say about this team — from how Sam Darnold has stabilized the offense to why the defense, under Mike Macdonald’s second year at the helm, has quietly become one of the most dominant groups in football. Corbin details how Macdonald’s system has evolved in Year 2 — faster, more cohesive, and finally executing the kind of disguised pressures and pattern-match coverages that define elite units.
“I think this team is every bit 5-2,” Smith said. ”I don’t know if I’m ready to them into NFC Super Bowl contender like Dan Orlovsky is, but I don’t think they’re far off from that. And if they can play cleaner football on offense to go with the defense they had on Monday night [vs the Houston Texans[ and they get healthier in that side of the ball, then this can absolutely be a team that is in that mix when we get to January.”
Smith notably observes one key difference from last season: Seattle’s ability to win despite making several mistakes.
“They are finding ways even when they make a lot of mistakes, they are still finding ways to win games, which last year there were several games that was the opposite where they should have won and they just found ways to lose,” Smith said. “And we saw that against San Francisco in the season opener. They’ve kind of shifted that narrative a little bit. And I think it’s the belief. I think it’s the culture. So I kind of buy what Mike McDonald selling there.
“Like I’m five and two. I’ve won five of my last six games and I’m doing it with so many things that we can get better at. And it’s kind of scary what this team could be if they can put all that stuff together. And rather than dwelling on those mistakes—you know, if they lost the game Monday night, you’re having a different discussion. But again, they are finding ways to make the plays they need to to win games consistently and there’s so much room for improvement. And so that’s why I am bullish. This could be a team that by January we’re talking differently about where they fit in the NFC hierarchy.”
Later on, Smith said the Seahawks are “on the cusp” of being a legit NFC contender but for now they’re a tier below that.
From there, the show heads into the film room (starting at 18:33) for a breakdown of three critical plays from Seattle’s Monday night win over Houston:
- A missed opportunity for a big gain in the run game by Kenneth Walker — revealed the fine margins between a stalled series and a potential explosive play when timing and blocking don’t fully click.
- Drake Thomas’ clutch fourth-quarter pass breakup — showcased the linebacker’s awareness and range in a game-shifting moment.
- Cooper Kupp’s acrobatic sideline grab — highlighted Seattle’s ability to generate chunk plays through precision and trust in tight coverage windows.
“I’m not a big guy on stills because I don’t think it paints the entire picture, but this still that we’ve got right here, like what are you bouncing into there? You’re bouncing right into where the defense is playingcthis. Anthony Bradford is getting to the second level. Sundell can at least seal that guy off. Abraham Lucas is going to get a hand on his guy and the tight end has got the edge where there is a hole here. I think he could have got 20 yards on this run on this split zone,” Smith noted.
The conversation then pivots to the inconsistency in the run game and the frustration around Klint Kubiak’s ill-timed trick plays (32:39), which continue to stall momentum. We also analyze which players’ stock has risen or fallen (38:55), offering candid evaluations across both sides of the ball.
The episode closes with a deep dive into the upcoming NFL trade deadline (43:58) — and whether Seattle could make a move to fortify its roster. Corbin teases that there are some positions and potential trade targets that may surprise fans, outlining realistic scenarios and what kind of price GM John Schneider might be willing to pay. Would you make a trade for say, Wyatt Teller of the Cleveland Browns?
“Everything I’ve heard is Wyatt Teller is a good locker room guy. I think that they could, if there’s anything that needs buried, I think they can bury the hatchet [between Teller and Uchenna Nwosu]. I think Wyatt Teller at right guard significant upgrade [over Anthony Bradford], and oh by the way another guy at tbe end of his contract that you’re not going to be on the hook for a ton of salary cap money. I think you call Cleveland to see if you can get that done and upgrade the interior of your offensive line,“ said Smith.
You can find The Hawks Eye Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and here at Field Gulls, featuring in-depth Seahawks analysis, film breakdowns, and exclusive guest interviews every week. Be sure to check out Corbin Smith’s articles on Emerald City Spectrum and tune into his daily insights on the Locked on Seahawks Podcast for even more coverage on Seattle’s season.
