Forty-nine percent of Seahawks fans are already calling it: our defense is going to repeat as the NFL’s points-allowed leader in 2026. Yeah, you heard that right, almost half of the 12s out there believe Mike Macdonald’s crew is about to run it back. They’re convinced last year’s league-best performance was no fluke. With training camp officially underway, the whispers around the league are getting louder. Many believe our Hawks are Super Bowl favorites, and a huge chunk of that belief? It’s all thanks to the monster defense Macdonald has built.
Our ‘Dark Side’ Defense Is Ready For Round Two
Think about our defense last season. They put up historic numbers, allowing only 292 points throughout the entire season. That’s a ridiculous average of 17.2 points per game, which was first in the entire league! So, do the fans think we can do it again? You bet your blue and green socks they do! The confidence in the Emerald City is soaring as we head into the 2026 season. Of Seahawks fans polled, 49% are convinced we’ll repeat as the NFL’s defensive leaders in points allowed. For the rest, 48% think we’ll still finish in the top five, with a tiny 3% fearing we’d fall out of that elite group. That’s serious belief, and frankly, not surprising given the dominant force we witnessed last year.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Force: Why We’re Even Better
Why such overwhelming confidence from the 12s? It’s simple: smart moves and incredible continuity. John Schneider kept almost every single player on defense from that incredible 2025 unit. Yeah, we saw Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant depart, but Schneider didn’t leave us hanging. We brought in Dante Fowler Jr. to make up for the loss of Mafe. At cornerback, we landed former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene, plus a trio of drafted corners, headlined by third-round pick Julian Neal. We even picked up Bud Clark in the second round to help fill the void left by Bryant, ensuring our secondary stays stacked. Beyond these additions, there’s more reason to be hyped. Young studs like Nick Emmanwori and Byron Murphy II are heading into another year under Mike Macdonald’s brilliant system. They’re poised to take a massive leap. That blend of continuity, fresh talent, and player development is a recipe for dominance.
Repeating as the NFL leaders in points allowed for a second straight season is truly one of the toughest feats in professional football. It’s a massive challenge. Think about it: our legendary Legion of Boom era defense did it for four consecutive seasons, from 2012 to 2015. That was an all-time, historic run. Now, this “Dark Side” defense, Mike Macdonald’s defense, has its own opportunity. This is their chance to add to the trophy case and truly show the entire league they belong in that conversation, that they are an all-time NFL defense, just like the LOB. Get ready, Emerald City, because the 2026 season is about to kick off, and our defense is coming to play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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