The era of the Legion of Boom may have brought the Seahawks a Super Bowl victory, but those glory days are now distant memories. Presently, Seattle finds itself languishing at the 28th spot in total defense, a disappointing 25th against pass plays.
In their recent 28-16 defeat to the 49ers, the Seahawks demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities by allowing a staggering eight plays of 25 yards or more. The 49ers capitalized on these opportunities, amassing 322 yards out of their total 527 on these eight significant plays.
Coach Pete Carroll, usually reserved, expressed his frustration in postgame comments, labeling the team’s performance as “bad ball.” Carroll emphasized that the coaching staff had meticulously prepared the defense to counter specific plays, such as Deebo Samuel’s 54-yard touchdown on a deep crossing pattern, Christian McCaffrey’s 72-yard stretch run off tackle, and George Kittle’s 44-yard touchdown catch. Despite the preparation, the Seahawks failed to execute effectively, allowing these plays to unfold as planned by the opponents.
In a candid radio show appearance on KIRO-AM, Carroll went a step further, explicitly calling out players by name. He singled out Jamal Adams and Julian Love, underscoring their shortcomings in the game. Adams was acquired through a costly trade involving two first-round picks and a third-round pick, and Bradley McDougald has failed to live up to expectations.
Despite signing a lucrative four-year, $72 million deal in 2021, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time, Adams has struggled with injuries, missing 29 games out of 34 in his four seasons with the Seahawks. Furthermore, he hasn’t earned a Pro Bowl nod since 2020.
Carroll’s public criticism and the apparent struggles of high-profile acquisitions raise questions about the team’s current direction and the effectiveness of key player investments. The Seahawks face challenges in reclaiming their defensive prowess and living up to the standards set by the legendary Legion of Boom.
