The Seattle Seahawks' offensive line is a fortress, and its architect is staying put! While some coaches have packed their bags for Las Vegas, the mastermind behind the team's dramatic offensive line resurgence is committed to Seattle for the 2026 season. This is fantastic news for Seahawks fans who witnessed a remarkable transformation under his guidance.
Seahawks insider Curtis Crabtree reported on Sunday that John Benton, who joined the team last season to take over the offensive line coaching duties from Scott Huff, will continue to be a vital part of Seattle's coaching staff. This comes as a relief, especially after offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko departed for the Raiders. But here's where it gets interesting...
With most NFL coaching staffs already finalized, this news might not seem like a shocker. However, if Kubiak had wanted Benton to join him in Las Vegas as his offensive line coach, the Seahawks would have had the power to deny that interview request, as it would have been considered a lateral move. This suggests Benton's commitment was already leaning towards staying with Seattle.
And this is the part most people miss... Benton's dedication was perhaps hinted at during Super Bowl week media availability. The sentiment is clear: he's a Seahawk, and he's here to stay!
The impact of Benton's work is undeniable. The Seahawks' offensive line saw a dramatic improvement, moving from 21st in pass block win rate and 28th in run block win rate in 2024 to an impressive 12th and 8th, respectively, according to ESPN's metrics for 2025. Quarterback Sam Darnold's sack rate dropped below 6 percent, the lowest for a Seahawks QB since Matt Hasselbeck in 2007. Furthermore, the rushing attack, spearheaded by Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet (before his injury), gained significant momentum late in the season.
It's hard to imagine the Seahawks reaching the heights they did without this substantial upgrade on the offensive line. John Benton has undoubtedly been a driving force behind this impressive turnaround. Now, here's the question for you: Do you think the Seahawks' offensive line improvements are solely due to coaching, or do player development and scheme also play equally significant roles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
