Former Seattle Seahawks tight end and current Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen has delivered a sharp analysis of the 2025 Seahawks offense. His recent declaration on X stated that their true identity is not built on the run but on a deceptive, high-powered passing attack.

“Can we all agree on one thing? Seattle is not a good rushing team. They are a heavy personnel passing team. If defenses are striving to “stop the run,” they are mistaken.”

In their recent game against the Washington Commanders, the Seahawks dominated the game with a score of 38-14. But, at the heart, there was something that exposed the team’s weakness, which was the running game being a significant liability. It would seem that the team drives its victories entirely by its aerial attack. 

In their week 9 game, Quarterback Sam Darnold was clinical, finishing the day with 330 yards and four touchdowns (offset by one interception). The star of the show, once again, was wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who cemented his elite status with 129 yards on eight receptions, logging his fourth straight game with over 100 yards.

Seattle’s explosive passing game has kept them winning, but it also hides a real concern. Their ground attack still struggles to make an impact. The Seahawks run the ball often, yet they rarely gain much from it, sitting near the bottom of the league in rushing efficiency.

Yet, even with the imbalance, Mike Macdonald seems to have unlocked something special, a quarterback playing with confidence and control, who looks like he’s only getting better each week.

Mike McDonald has unleashed a QB on the rise

The Seahawks are proving to be the NFL’s ultimate road warriors. If you set aside the rushing attack, no team has been tougher to beat away from home since the beginning of last season. But the real story is Sam Darnold. After the Seahawks shelled out that enormous three-year, $100.5 million contract for him this offseason, he is more than justifying the investment. 

With 1,754 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games, he’s already set a franchise record for a new quarterback. Following his standout performance, first-year head coach Mike Macdonald expressed unwavering confidence in his quarterback.

“Believe me when I say it: I’m not surprised,” coach Macdonald said. “We watch Sam every day and see how he operates. He’s the same guy every day, which is what you love about him. We’re chasing it. The guys are determined, and it’s fun to watch.” He further added, “Sam’s execution right now is just ridiculous.”

That said, while the praise keeps pouring in for Sam Darnold’s breakout season, Mike Macdonald isn’t letting the noise get to the locker room. The rookie head coach knows the real test is consistency. Seattle’s offense looks electric, but keeping that rhythm through the second half of the season will define whether this hot streak turns into something bigger.