Expectations for next year?

Blazenhawks

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I wanted to do a thread that’s a little different because I’m honestly not fully sure it’s sunk in yet that we won the Super Bowl. Going into this year, I really didn’t have high hopes, and the fact that we won the whole thing still feels like I might be in shock. I felt like I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop and thinking, “Well, better luck next year.”

So now that we are the champs, I want to know—what are your feelings and expectations for next year?

I’ll go first. My expectation is to just make it back to the playoffs and play at a high level. I think we got very lucky not having to play the Bills, Chiefs, or Ravens in the Super Bowl. I think the Rams will take a step back next year, as I don’t see Stafford playing that well again. The 49ers—well, they’re always injured, and Shanahan can’t win big games, so I’m not too worried. I forget who the fourth team in the division is 😉.

It’s going to be hard for this team to repeat and win the whole thing again. (At least that’s how I feel.)
 

Tusc2000

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There are going to be challenges for sure, but I see similar challenges for the Eagles, Bucs, Rams and 9ers. The Bears are going to be really tough, and I see both the Lions and the Packers coming back. There will be a surprise team, probably the Falcons stepping up. A playoff slot is likely for us, but I wouldn't bet money on anything else.
 

Kamcussionator

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Last season I thought we were a year away, so if we repeat I’d say we were right on schedule.

We will be returning nearly our entire defense so I expect us to have opponent offenses in a stranglehold from week one without any install hiccups like TB last year.

The big question (like last year) is the offense. We will have a honeymoon (and hiccups) while the league figures us out, but the proof will be if the new coordinator can adapt once defenses start taking things that worked before away. We’ve humble players on offense who will do what’s asked of them, we just need the OC to be competent.
 

Bobblehead

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I think the Rams are going to be a lot tougher this coming year, they arn't losing many to FA, they have a high 1st and another 1st. Too, they are on the Crosby watch and with higher first rounders they have a much better chance to land him than we do. Else, they can certainly shore up some holes with the two 1st rounders and with good CAP space they can acquire players as well.

I still expect us to be competitive for the SB with the RAMs being our main adversary.
 

Runscott

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Given our schedule, I think we get to the playoffs again, ahead of the 49'ers and Cards (unsure about Rams), not home field advantage throughout (Bears have an easy schedule), and have a 50/50 chance of making the Super Bowl.
 

FrodosFinger

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Expecting at least one more Lombardi with current roster, even after losing a couple of players in free agency like Waller, Mafe, Woolen and Shahid but I also expect a busy free agency of incoming talent. Hopefully we can sign Tyler Linderbaum at center and draft Ione or someone else to replace Bradford. Sundell can back up Linderbaum. Be cool to have Walker back but he’s for sure testing the waters and going to Detroit now that Montgomery is in Houston
 

chrispy

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I think there will be a lot more clarity a few days into FAcy. The pass rush might look really different. The secondary might look really different. ...or maybe not.

The D only gave up a few points for the majority of the season. If that side is 90% what it was, ST can be as good, Shaheed is re-signed, and there's a reasonable solution for RB, there's no reason to doubt a deep playoff run. But that's a lot of ifs. Any of those get derailed and we potentially lose the slim edge on the Rams and don't win the NFCW and don't get homefield and no week off....

To me though, the good news is JS has a plan. He's doing things in a slightly new and confident way. He skipped the Combine workouts- a first. He's openly talked about this being a weak draft (as opposed to always being so tight lipped). He's sticking to his budget on our FAs. Considering the potential differences in personnel in the next few weeks, there's not anyone that seems more competent to juggle it all.

I can't say I have confidence in the team currently with so many holes and unknowns, but I feel JS has a plan so....I'll predict the Seahawks beat the Patriots in the SuperBowl in similar fashion, by 3 scores. We may be -even- from 2015, but they owe interest for the 10 years since....
 

SoulfishHawk

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Dad jokes never die.........

I know my wife was excited about the Hawks winning the SB. But more so because she remembers how I was after I got home from 49. I've never been more bummed after a loss, ever. She said I was acting like someone died. And it absolutely felt like someone did.

Winning 60 was best for everyone around me :)
 

Glasgow Seahawk

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Obviously would like to defend our trophy. It's hard to know though at this point. We don't know how our new OC will pan out, injury luck, who plays RB for us etc. Super bowl hangover are also real. Some players start making business decisions or lose a bit of hunger. Also don't know which other teams take a step up. I doubt the AFC sucks as much this year. I also expect someone to take a step back similar to what the commanders did. I'm guessing either Chicago or the 49ers.
 
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