July 30th, 2021 
CJ 
Posted in 
As the 2021 season fast approaches, it’s clear that the pressure is well and truly on for the Seahawks. Following some pretty bruising playoffs that most notably saw the Seahawks getting mauled by the LA Rams at Lumen Field back in January, capping off an unfortunate 2020 season, things will have to change this time around.
We know that particular players will be feeling the heat more than most, as some have a very tough road ahead if they want to stay in the game. That being said, there are also reasons to feel optimistic about the months ahead. Let’s take a closer look at the current state of play to try and assess the Seahawks’ chances for 2021.
The heat is on, for some
Much of the attention this season will be on a select number of players that came under increasing pressure as the 2020 season came to a head at the start of the year. Chief among these is center Ethan Pocic, who everyone expected to be replaced at the end of the 2020 season, following months of speculation that the Seahawks were seeking a more effective center.
Meanwhile, linebacker Darrell Taylor will be feeling some serious heat after not performing at all during the last season, owing to extensive surgery on his leg. The first game will be the first time Taylor has set foot on the field since the surgery, meaning that the pressure is likely to be intense.
New blood could turn it around
After the trials and tribulations of last season, it makes sense that the Seahawks would invest in some new blood to try and turn things around. From what we have seen so far, it’s clear that some of the newbies have plenty of potential to make a serious impact.
Chief among these are new defensive end Aldon Smith, who was signed to a one-year veteran deal in April to add some back-end depth to the pass rush. While his stats are good and could seriously beef up the defensive end, naysayers have noted that he is now 31 and has seen comparatively little action on the field in recent seasons.
Myles Garret is in GREAT company…
Most Sacks in First 46 Games – Since 1982
Reggie White – 57.0
Aldon Smith – 44.0
Derrick Thomas – 43.5
Von Miller – 43.0
Myles Garrett – 40.0#Browns pic.twitter.com/Mta0wfQ4j1— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) December 4, 2020
We also have defensive tackle Cedrick Lattimore out of Iowa, a rookie who spent all of the 2020 season on the practice squad. He was finally activated for that aforementioned game against the Rams, where he managed to pull off six tackles and 26 snaps, suggesting that the Seahawks should have tapped him sooner.
What the bookies think
When assessing the chances for the Seahawks in the coming season, it’s always worth asking the bookies that they think. For this, the picture is mixed. By looking at the top bookmakers listed on Winners Net, we see that the Seahawks are nobody’s hot ticket.
Betway has the Seahawks on 25/1 as outright winners, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the favorites to win the season. At the likes of William Hill and bet365, the odds are pretty much telling the same story – that the Seahawks are a long shot. Only time will tell.
