After some early-season struggles, the Seattle Seahawks re-emerged as one of the NFL's best teams in 2014, earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC, winning the conference championship and coming within one play of winning their second consecutive Super Bowl.
Even though their season ended in excruciating fashion, the Seahawks still have a promising future. However, they also have some big decisions to make in the coming months. What are their top offseason priorities for 2015? Let's take a look.
1. Re-sign QB Russell Wilson
Wilson and other players drafted in 2012 become eligible for new contracts this offseason. The Seahawks know Wilson is their franchise quarterback for the long term. They presumably will want to extend his contract at the first available opportunity. Wilson has prepared for the situation by clarifying that agent Mark Rodgers will handle the negotiations. Rodgers had been Wilson's agent for baseball, with James "Bus" Cook serving as his agent for football.
The baseball analogy is in order as this should be a home run negotiation for Wilson, who has been one of the biggest bargains in the NFL almost from day one. His goal-line interception in the Super Bowl won't change the fact that he's the Seahawks' quarterback of the future.
2. Upgrade weaponry on offense
The Seahawks had to get creative at tight end and wide receiver after losing Zach Miller to injury and trading Percy Harvin during the season. Miller could return, but the Seahawks need to make sure they have another tight end with good blocking skills on the roster. Rookie Paul Richardson emerged as a promising young talent this season, but he tore his ACL in the divisional round against Carolina and might not be ready for the start of the 2015 season.
Moreover, Pete Carroll has typically wanted a big wideout in his receiving corps to move the chains. Super Bowl breakout star Chris Matthews could become that guy, at 6-foot-5 and 218 pounds, but we'll have to wait to see if he has staying power. Finding another big target -- or a smaller one with big-play ability -- could really help the team maximize its coming investment in Wilson. The Seahawks' lack of an elite receiving corps was on display in both the NFC title game and the Super Bowl.
3. Re-sign the QB of the defense
Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner joins Wilson among players becoming eligible for new contracts. His value to the team became obvious when Wagner missed five full games to a toe injury. When Wagner was on the field, Seattle allowed 4.4 yards per play with 35.2 percent conversions on third down. Opponents had a 37.5 Total QBR score while averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Seattle recorded sacks on 8.4 percent of dropbacks. The numbers in every one of those categories tanked when Wagner was off the field (5.1 yards per play, 41.7 percent on third down, 60.3 QBR, 4.0 yards per rush, 5.0 percent sack rate).
There were other key variables, including the health of strong safety Kam Chancellor. Still, Wagner is a core player on the NFL's best defense. Can Seattle keep him?
4. Bring back Beast Mode
There has been speculation on and off that 2014 could be the final season for Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. Some people close to Lynch think he might retire. Carroll has tried to quash speculation that the team could even release Lynch before the 2015 season, which is the final year of Lynch's contract. Bringing back Lynch seems like an obvious priority. He was arguably the team's MVP this season, and the Seahawks wouldn't have won the NFC Championship Game without him. (One could argue that if they'd handed him the ball on the goal line at the end of the Super Bowl, they'd have won that game, too.)
If this was it for Lynch, can Robert Turbin and Christine Michael handle the lead back role?
5. Strengthen the offensive line
Drafting a guard and/or tackle could make sense for Seattle as the team looks to upgrade its pass protection and run blocking. Left tackle Russell Okung has had some durability issues, and it's unclear where he fits into the team's plans in terms of a contract extension. Left guard James Carpenter can become a free agent. He has had durability and performance issues. Upgrading at tight end and fullback could really help the line, as well.