SEATTLE The Seahawks have largely lived up to their status as defending champions, despite a two-game absence for their starting quarterback, several setbacks in the backfield, and one unexpected defeat.
Entering the fourth week of the 2026 schedule, Seattle holds a 3-1 record, sharing the third-best standing in the NFC with Chicago and New York. Only San Francisco and Minnesota, both at 4-0, sit ahead of them.
Sam Darnold missed the majority of the first contest and the subsequent victory over Arizona in Week 2. The team will also be without rookie back Jadarian Price for a minimum of three additional games, following his move to injured reserve on Saturday.
Despite these setbacks, along with multiple injuries in the defensive backfield, the roster has remained competitive. Significant contributions have come from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, currently second in the league for receiving, and nickelback Nick Emmanwori.
Here is an assessment of players whose performance is rising or falling after four contests.
Rising: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The fourth-year receiver continues to dominate, even after a statistical dip against the Chargers where he recorded five receptions for 76 yards. He currently tops the league with six touchdown catches and trails CeeDee Lamb by 17 yards for the receiving yardage lead, having accumulated 498.
His average output stands at 120.5 yards per game, surpassing his pace from the prior season when he led the league with 1,793 yards, a total ranking eighth all-time. He remains on course to eclipse the single-season record of 1,964 yards established by Calvin Johnson.
While other targets in the receiving corps have remained largely unproductive, Smith-Njigba has thrived during the inaugural year of a four-year, $168.8 million extension.
Falling: Other wide receivers
Although not yet a critical failure, no player has emerged as a clear secondary option. Aside from Smith-Njigba, no receiver has reached 10 receptions. Veteran Cooper Kupp sits second on the squad with nine catches for 114 yards, a pace that would mark his lowest offensive total across 10 seasons.
Rashid Shaheed posted his strongest showing of the year in Sunday's win over the Chargers, rushing for a 28-yard score and gaining 20 yards through the air. Otherwise, he has struggled in the opening season of a three-year, $51 million deal. As a returner, he has not gained more than 14 yards on a punt return or 36 yards on a kick return, and he has fumbled twice.
Given the production from Smith-Njigba, the lack of a clear No. 2 receiver is not currently a major concern. However, it could become problematic if an opponent manages to neutralize Smith-Njigba.
Falling: Tight ends
Upon hiring Brian Fleury, formerly the tight ends coach for the 49ers, to serve as offensive coordinator, expectations arose that AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo, and Eric Saubert would see increased involvement. This has not materialized through the first four games.
Tight End Production Lags Expectations
The team's tight end group has yet to make a significant impact this season, with two players combining for just three catches, twenty yards, and a single score. Another tight end leads the position with nine receptions for 102 yards, though he also recorded two drops last Sunday. His output represents a decline from his breakout performance the previous year, when he set personal bests with 52 catches, 519 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. This limited production persists even though the offense has deployed at least two tight ends on 62.4 percent of its plays, a rate that ranks third highest in the league.
Stock Up: Nick Emmanwori
A versatile defensive back recovered his form after a slow start to the campaign following ankle surgery in the offseason. He appeared in 56 snaps on Sunday, a significant increase from the 45 total snaps he logged over the prior two weeks. The player tallied nine tackles, matching Devon Witherspoon for the second-highest total on the team. He also recorded two tackles for loss, including his first sack of the year, along with a quarterback hit and a pass breakup. Given the limited depth in Seattle's secondary during the opening weeks of the season, the return of his previous form is a welcome development.
Stock Down: Offensive Line
The offensive line has not struggled to the degree seen in 2024, when the previous starting quarterback was sacked fifty times and the team averaged 95.7 rushing yards per contest. Through four games, the current starter and his backup have been sacked a combined six times, and the team has recorded at least one hundred rushing yards in two matchups.
However, the absence of right guard Anthony Bradford, who has missed time since Week 2 due to knee and hip injuries, has been more damaging than anticipated. Rookie Beau Stephens and 2024 third-round pick Christian Haynes have alternated at right guard over the last three weeks with inconsistent outcomes. Generally, the unit coached by John Benton has performed adequately without Bradford. Still, the offensive line's performance improved as the previous season progressed because all five starters largely avoided injury through the fall and into the new year.
Stock Down: Run Game
The backfield situation has not been entirely negative despite the absence of Price and the fact that last season's leading touchdown scorer, Zach Charbonnet, has yet to play. Reserve running back Emanuel Wilson, who signed a one-year contract in March, has been a positive addition. He has twice carried the ball twenty-one times in a single game, rushing for ninety-two and eighty-one yards against Arizona and Los Angeles, respectively. Third-string running back George Holani has contributed effectively in his role, recording seven receptions, which is the fourth-highest total on the team.
Still, as head coach Mike Macdonald stated on Monday, there is a specific reason veteran running back Joe Mixon is expected to join the roster. The team ranks thirteenth in rushing yards per game with 110.3 yards, but nineteenth in yards per carry at 3.9.
Stock up: Byron Murphy II
The Seahawks’ coaching staff views Murphy as a key contributor on defense, especially with his ability to disrupt the backfield. Though his first sack of the season didn’t arrive until Week 4, the impact was substantial: he flushed Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and delivered a hard takedown. His performance this year may not match the standout 2025 campaign, when he matched franchise-best marks with seven sacks, shared for the team lead, as well as seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 13 pressures on the quarterback. Still, his continued effectiveness stems in part from opponents adjusting their game plans around him. In Seattle’s recent defeat to the Washington Commanders, Murphy recorded seven stops and added another quarterback hit, reinforcing his central role in a defensive unit anchored by its front seven.
Stock up: Drew Lock
Seattle’s path forward at quarterback has gained clarity thanks to Drew Lock’s recent outings. With Mike Darnold sidelined, the veteran backup seized the opportunity and helped stabilize the offense. Lock, in the final year of a two-season deal, has demonstrated poise and efficiency, potentially boosting his value on the open market. Over two starts, he connected on 72.9 percent of his throws, amassed 422 yards, and scored four times. Perhaps most telling was his discipline: zero turnovers, no picks or fumbles, and just two sacks taken. For a team navigating uncertainty, Lock stands out as one of the league’s most reliable backup options, capable of delivering wins even in limited duty.