FOX TV analyst Greg Olsen predicts Seattle Seahawks will have elite defense

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At times it feels like only Mike Macdonald, Richard Sherman and the 12s have high hopes for the Seattle Seahawks this season.
Some NFL analysts like their defense, but don't trust quarterback Sam Darnold. Others don't believe in the offensive line. Some simply fear that Seattle plays in the most underrated division in all of football.
MORE: Seahawks legend Richard Sherman shares surprising prediction for NFC West
ESPN, for example, established a "floor" for the Seahawks of 6-11 which would be their worst season since 2009. A couple of Fantasy Football analytics sites are warning owners not to start any of the team's offensive players in Sunday's season-opener at Lumen Field against the San Francisco 49ers.
"I think this #Seahawks defense has the chance to be a top 5, top 7 defense by the end of the season."
— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) September 5, 2025
Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen had a lot to say about the 2025 Seahawks to @BrockHuard & @TheMikeSalk. 👇
FULL VIDEO 📺: https://t.co/Yn0ahU0wrR pic.twitter.com/T8YSyFbAwV
Now comes FOX analyst Greg Olsen, who joined the Brock & Salk this week to discuss Seattle's outlook. His take? Like many observers, he has more confidence in the defense than the offense.
"I think this Seahawks defense, if they can stay healthy, has a chance to be Top 5 or Top 7 by the end of the season," Olsen said. "Schematically with Macdonald and then personnel-wise, I think they're really good."
MORE: Seahawks announce roster 2 roster moves going into Week 1 battle against 49ers
Add another expert who believes that if the Seahawks improve on last season's 10-7 record and make the playoffs it will be less because of Darnold and more due to the play of defensive stars like DeMarcus Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen.

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Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.
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