The Seattle Seahawks were one of the surprise packages in the NFL last season as they made the playoffs.
Expectations weren't too high at the start of last season after Russell Wilson departed the franchise for the Denver Broncos. But Geno Smith stepped up in only his third career season as QB1 and earned Comeback Player of the Year. Kenneth Walker also enjoyed a stunning rookie season at running back, scoring nine touchdowns.
The Seahawks re-signed Bobby Wagner on a one-year deal after he was released by the Los Angeles Rams, and they enjoyed a decent NFL Draft by selecting a top wide receiver prospect. Current wide man DK Metcalf is feeling optimistic and is sure that everything will "fall into place" next season.
The San Francisco 49ers ended the Seahawks' postseason before their Super Bowl dreams even began, eliminating them on wild card weekend. The Seahawks made it to the playoffs in Week 18 after the Green Bay Packers lost to the Detroit Lions.
But next season is a fresh opportunity with new talent, and also a chance for those who performed well last season to build on their success. The Seahawks were the first team to draft a receiver in Kansas City this year and selected Jaxon Smith-Njigba with their 20th overall pick.
The 6-foot-4 Metcalf is enjoying his presence already, and he's one of four stars named by the receiver who could make the difference next season. "I mean, just the type of person [Smith-Njigba] is, first," Metcalf said. "He’s a great dude.
"And on the field, he’s a great route runner, excellent hands. So, I think he’s going to open the offense even more. Him and Zach Charbonnet is going to do, you know, amazing things at the running back position along with Ken Walker.
"We got a whole arsenal of weapons on offense, adding Bobby [Wagner] back on defence, you know, a leader for not only the defence but the whole team." The Seahawks have been doubted since Wilson left the franchise, and even before the nine-time Pro Bowler departed there were fears over the direction the team was heading in.
But Metcalf is keen to silence the haters and ignore opinions from elsewhere by sticking to the task in hand. "We have to decide what type of team we're going to be and not just listen to the outside noise.
"We just got to be a band of brothers on Sunday just playing for each other, and everything is going to fall in place." The Seahawks face the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in preseason, before hosting the Rams in Week 1.
