Get ready for an exciting Pro Bowl season, because the Seahawks are bringing their A-game!
The Seahawks' Dominance in 2025
The Seahawks have been on fire this season, winning an impressive 12 out of their first 15 games. Their success has secured them a playoff spot and the top position in the NFC West. It's no wonder that their talent will be well-represented at the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.
Six Seahawks Shine Bright
On Tuesday, the NFC squad was announced, and six Seahawks made the cut! The selected players include quarterback Sam Darnold, outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence, kick returner Rashid Shaheed, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and defensive tackle Leonard Williams. An impressive four of these players - Shaheed, Smith-Njigba, Witherspoon, and Williams - were chosen as starters, showcasing their exceptional skills.
A New Pro Bowl Format
The Pro Bowl games will feature a unique 7-on-7 flag football match on February 3rd. This year, the event will be held in San Francisco during the week leading up to the highly anticipated Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. It's an exciting change, as the Pro Bowl is now an integral part of the league's Super Bowl festivities.
A Diverse Group of Pro Bowlers
The Seahawks' Pro Bowl team is a diverse mix of players. Three of them - Darnold and Lawrence (free-agent signings) and Shaheed (midseason trade acquisition) - joined the team this year. Additionally, Witherspoon and Smith-Njigba were first-round picks in 2023, and Williams was acquired through a trade in the same year. This group has already made history, as their selection ties the second-highest total in franchise history. Only five previous Seahawks teams have achieved this feat, with the 1984, 2015, and 2020 teams having seven Pro Bowlers, and the 2007 and 2013 teams having six.
Witherspoon's Impressive Streak
Devon Witherspoon has been a standout player, earning his third consecutive Pro-Bowl selection. He joins an elite group of players in team history, including quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Lofa Tatupu, and linebacker/special teamer Fredd Young, who were all named Pro Bowlers in their first three seasons. Witherspoon's impact on the defense is undeniable, as Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald described him as "the sparkplug" behind the team's success. His stats speak for themselves: 64 tackles, six passes defensed, one interception, one fumble recovery, half a sack, two tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. But Macdonald believes his value goes beyond the numbers.
Smith-Njigba's Record-Breaking Season
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Witherspoon's fellow 2023 first-round pick and friend, is headed to his second straight Pro Bowl. His receiving season has been nothing short of extraordinary, setting new franchise records. Through 15 games, Smith-Njigba leads the league with 1,637 receiving yards, an incredible 300 yards more than the previous single-season record. He also holds the franchise record for receptions with 104 and is tied for third in the league with 10 receiving touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.
Williams' Dominance in the Middle
Leonard Williams, a dominant force on Seattle's defensive line, is making his second career Pro Bowl appearance and his first as a Seahawk. He helps anchor one of the league's best defensive fronts. Williams leads the team with 22 quarterback hits and is tied with Byron Murphy II for the team lead in sacks with 7.0. His nine tackles for loss are also impressive, ranking him second on the team. Williams' impact on the field is undeniable.
Shaheed's Double Threat
Rashid Shaheed, acquired in a midseason trade with the Saints, is a true double threat. He's the only player in the league this season with both kick and punt return touchdowns, achieving this feat within three weeks. Shaheed joins Nate Burleson and Tyler Lockett as the only three players in franchise history to accomplish this in a single season. His kick return for a 100-yard touchdown in a Week 14 win over the Falcons earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Shaheed's impact extends beyond special teams, as he's also a playmaker on offense. He set up a game-winning field goal with two catches against Indianapolis and gained 31 yards on a rush to set up a touchdown in the comeback win over the Rams.
Darnold's Impressive Streak
Sam Darnold, who signed with the Seahawks shortly after they traded Geno Smith to Las Vegas, is a Pro-Bowl selection for the second consecutive season. His breakout season with the Vikings last year set the stage for his impressive performance with the Seahawks. In his first season, he completed a career-best 67.2% of his passes for 3,703 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, earning him a 100.6 passer rating. Darnold leads the league with an average of 8.7 yards per attempt and 13.0 yards per completion. He's also tied for the second-most game-winning drives in the league, including the touchdown drive and two-point conversion in Seattle's Week 16 win over the Rams. With a 12-3 record this season and a 14-3 record with the Vikings last year, Darnold is the first quarterback to win 12 or more games in consecutive seasons with two different teams.
Lawrence's Leadership and Playmaking
DeMarcus Lawrence, who signed with the Seahawks during the first week of free agency, has been a leader and playmaker for one of the league's best defenses. His impact was felt almost immediately upon joining the team. Lawrence's 10 tackles for loss are tied for the most on the team, and his 18 quarterback hits rank second to Williams. He's also contributed 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. One of his forced fumbles was described by Macdonald as "probably my new favorite play of all time." Lawrence's performance in a Week 10 win over the Cardinals, where he scored two touchdowns on fumble recovery returns, earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Seahawks' Pro Bowl selections showcase the team's depth and talent. With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, they are a force to be reckoned with. Who do you think will be the standout player at the Pro Bowl? And what impact will these players have on the upcoming Super Bowl festivities? Let's discuss in the comments!
