ClutchPoints
The calendar might still say August, but there’s already a whiff of trouble in Seattle. Training camp is supposed to be a time for optimism, fresh starts, breakout buzz, and confidence in the season ahead. For the Seahawks, though, an unsettling reality is starting to take shape. With a new head coach, new quarterback, and a reshuffled offensive identity, there’s plenty of work to do in the Emerald City. If early signs mean anything, not every part of the rebuild is clicking into place.
A decade has passed since the Seahawks last made it beyond the Divisional Round. It seems like their hopes of ending that drought rest squarely on the shoulders of their defense. Under Mike Macdonald, the unit became one of the league’s stingiest in 2024. They finished top 10 in points allowed and returned nearly all of its core players. The arrival of second-round safety Nick Emmanwori adds more juice to a defense already known for its speed, toughness, and big-game experience. Seattle’s plan is simple. They need to lean on defense to carry the load and slow things down on offense.
That would be much easier said than done. The Seahawks didn’t just tweak their offense. They tore it down. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was shown the door, replaced by Klint Kubiak, whose ground-and-pound approach signals a major shift in identity. Geno Smith was dealt to Las Vegas, and DK Metcalf was shipped to Pittsburgh. That pair of moves left no doubt a reboot was underway. In their place: Sam Darnold is expected to offer steadier quarterback play, and Cooper Kupp was brought in to help fill Metcalf’s void. Kubiak’s system should help protect a still-unproven offensive line and minimize mistakes. However, there’s no sugarcoating it. Seattle is gambling big on a reimagined attack. And with high risk comes plenty of early-season anxiety.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Seattle Seahawks’ biggest reason to panic after the start of 2025 NFL training camp.
If there’s one reason for Seahawks fans to panic right now, it’s Christian Haynes.
The 2024 third-round pick was supposed to be a plug-and-play right guard, or at least a credible candidate in a position group begging for consistency. That said, instead of rising, Haynes has sunk. He didn’t earn the starting job last year. In fact, he fell behind late-round pick Sataoa Laumea and barely held onto a roster spot. The word from inside the building wasn’t flattering either. Rreports arose of a lackluster work ethic, poor preparation, and confusion about how to be a professional. Those left a mark.
Fast-forward to 2025, and things haven’t improved.
Despite a clean slate under new offensive coordinator Kubiak and veteran offensive line coach John Benton, Haynes remains buried on the depth chart. He’s not just behind Anthony Bradford, another underwhelming option at right guard. He’s also behind Jalen Sundell, who was signed primarily...
