Seahawks 2023 Schedule: Which Opponents Improved Most This Offseason?
In what has become a holiday for NFL fans around the world, the league will announce official regular season schedules for the Seattle Seahawks and all 32 teams on Thursday, May 11 at 5 PM PT.
While Seattle's upcoming opponents have been known since the regular season concluded in January, the schedule reveal presents a crucial date on the offseason calendar. Soon, teams will know who they open the season with, how many prime time games they will play, when they play their dreaded Thursday night game(s), and much more.
Looking at their slate of upcoming opponents in the aftermath of free agency and the recent NFL Draft, which teams set to be on the Seahawks schedule improved the most heading towards the 2023 season?
Philadelphia Eagles
Not resting on their laurels after winning the NFC East and nearly upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the Eagles have remained aggressive upgrading their roster on both sides of the football with hopes of making another deep playoff run. That's bad news for the Seahawks and other teams hoping to catch them in the NFC.
While they lost running back Miles Sanders in free agency, the Eagles replaced him by signing former Seahawks starter Rashaad Penny and trading for ex-Lions starter D'Andre Swift, landing two capable home run threats for a cheaper cost to run behind a dominant offensive line. Those two players should complement A.J. Brown and company quite well, giving the defending NFC champions a potent offensive attack around quarterback Jalen Hurts once again.
Defensively, Philadelphia benefited from Jalen Carter's free fall in the draft and selected him ninth overall, reuniting the former Georgia star with Jordan Davis along the defensive line as a replacement for departed Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave. Continuing to shop for Bulldogs in the draft as if they are at a Sam's Club, the franchise also landed edge rusher Nolan Smith and cornerback Kelee Ringo, adding two talented young defenders who should be able to make an impact immediately.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Though the Steelers failed to make the playoffs last year, coach Mike Tomlin's team finished with a winning record and improved as the season progressed behind stellar play from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. Aiming to take the next step, they have made several intriguing moves in free agency and the draft to draw closer to the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
Upgrading their offensive line, the Steelers spent big bucks to lure guard Isaac Seumalo away from the Eagles, improving protection in front of Pickett. They also added a proven veteran presence to their secondary in former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson, who should take on a mentor role for second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. and seventh-round pick Corey Trice Jr.
Looking at the rest of Pittsburgh's draft, general manager Omar Khan knocked it out of the park by bolstering the line by selecting Georgia tackle Broderick Jones in the first round, snagging Porter Jr. to play where his dad once starred one round later, and investing later picks in potential day one contributors such as defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and edge rusher Nick Herbig. With a young nucleus in place on both sides of the ball, this team could be a sneaky contender in one of football's best divisions.
Carolina Panthers
Looking to build off a strong finish to an otherwise dreadful 2022 season, Carolina installed former Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich as a replacement for interim coach Steve Wilks and traded up to the first overall pick to land a new franchise quarterback in Bryce Young. Those two moves alone should position the franchise for a run to win a wide open NFC South.
But the Panthers did more than just trade up to draft Young. Making several shrewd moves in free agency, they signed former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen to provide a security blanket for their incoming rookie signal caller and fortified their run game by signing Miles Sanders to a multi-year deal. Additionally, they doubled down on veteran wideouts by landing ex-LSU star DJ Chark and also signed former Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst.
While they will feel the loss of receiver D.J. Moore, who was included in the trade with the Chicago Bears to move up eight spots to the first overall pick, the Panthers now have a solid collection of skill players for Young behind an ascending offensive line. Defensively, with rising stars in Brian Burns and Jaycee Horn leading the way, they could have one of the fiercest units in the league as well, making this a young squad nobody will want to play.
Honorable Mention: Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Washington Commanders
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