The Seattle Seahawks head into the 2026 NFL season as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but will they come out on top in the NFC standings when it’s all said and done?
The Athletic ranked the Seahawks No. 2 overall to sit atop the NFC next season, determined by a poll of NFL executives conducted ahead of next season, placing them among the conference’s leading contenders.
Seattle was ranked behind only the Los Angeles Rams in the survey, which measured the expectations of league executives heading into the season. The rankings come after the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning season in 2025 and reflects continued confidence in the team under coach Mike Macdonald.
The Seahawks made notable additions to their roster and coaching staff in the offseason,
headlined by the front office hiring Brian Fleury to be the team’s new offensive coordinator, as well as drafting Jadarian Price and signing Terrion Arnold. The Seahawks will be expected to remain competitive in an NFC landscape featuring several established contenders, even outside of the Rams.
Seattle’s elite defense is expected to be a major catalyst for the team’s success once again next season, while the offense will be tasked with maintaining its production with the rookie Price in for Kenneth Walker III, all while striving to win the NFC championship, and ultimately, a Super Bowl title again in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks don't claim top spot in The Athletic's NFC standings forecast
