INDIANAPOLIS — The Lombardi Trophy still gleams in Seattle, but the front office is already grinding in Indianapolis. The Seattle Seahawks dominate the latest NFLPA report cards, save for a glaring red mark regarding their playing surface. Down on the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium, scouts are locking onto defensive back talent at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, hunting for the pieces to secure back-to-back championships.
You could almost feel the tension in the air as the safeties lined up for the 40-yard dash. The chilly wind outside the stadium didn’t deter the hundreds of scouts packed into the stands. Purdue standout Dillon Thieneman delivered an absolute clinic on Thursday night. He didn’t just run; he scorched the track. Thieneman’s elite footwork and explosive lateral drills cement him as a top-tier target for a Seattle defense looking to inject youth into the secondary. The Seahawks scheduled multiple formal meetings with this year’s defensive back class, signaling a clear draft priority.
Seattle’s rivals refuse to stay quiet. The San Francisco 49ers spent Thursday night heavily scouting offensive linemen, desperate to rebuild their trenches after a bruising 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams are plotting a luxury pick in the first round. Whispers around the combine suggest LA is heavily targeting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate to supercharge an already lethal offense. The West remains an absolute dogfight.
Back in the Pacific Northwest, the front office faces tough math. The new league year kicks off on March 11. Seattle holds nine unrestricted free agents, including explosive playmaker Rashid Shaheed. Keeping Shaheed to “run it back” is a massive priority, but the open market dictates a heavy price tag. Then there is the Dareke Young situation. The bruising receiver has earned his keep on special teams and run-blocking packages. Re-signing Young to a modest two-year extension makes logical sense for a team needing reliable depth.
The NFLPA released its annual team report cards, and Seattle players gave the organization glowing marks across the board—except for one crucial category. The players slammed the quality of their practice and stadium fields. As new ownership prepares to take the reins, fixing the turf stands out as priority number one. Championship teams require championship facilities, and the players expect immediate upgrades.
“We love this city and we love the culture here. But man, the turf takes a toll on your joints by Week 14. We just want a surface that respects our health.”
— Anonymous Seahawks Veteran, via NFLPA Survey
Seattle holds the ultimate leverage right now. Winning a Super Bowl buys a front office immense goodwill, but repeating requires ruthless precision. Retaining Shaheed keeps the top off opposing defenses, opening the middle for the running game. If Seattle manages to extend key depth pieces like Young while hitting on a high-ceiling safety like Thieneman in the draft, they plug their few remaining holes. The NFC goes through Lumen Field, provided the new owners fix the grass first.
