The Seattle Seahawks look remarkably different for this season.
Geno Smith is out, and Sam Darnold is in. DK Metcalf is gone, too.
Cooper Kupp comes in as a new receiver, and DeMarcus Lawrence is new along the defensive line.
It's those two veteran additions who could prove crucial to how Seattle performs in 2025.
ESPN's Seth Walder calls Kupp the X-factor for the season.
"As good as Jaxon Smith-Njigba is, this offense will need a second receiver for Sam Darnold, and Kupp is the best candidate," Walder writes. "I'm skeptical he can fill that role -- his 1,947-yard 2021 season looks like an outlier -- but there's a chance. Seattle probably needs Kupp or someone else to step up to compete in a tough NFC West."
MORE: Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders could be subject to a 'second draft'
Lawrence made a very public exit from the Cowboys to come to town.
"There aren't a lot of teams that have a player with 61.5 career sacks coming off the bench," ESPN's Aaron Schatz writes. "Lawrence wants to prove he still has something in the tank at age 33, and his three sacks last season came in only four games before a Lisfranc foot injury cost him most of the 2024 season. He should be an important part of the Seahawks' pass rush."
Both Kupp and Lawrence have battled injuries in their past.
If they can stay on the field, though, they can still be effective. And the Seahawks will need that in order to keep up in the NFC West.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Chiefs enter training camp with a big Travis Kelce worry
- Jaguars' Travis Hunter plans begin to take shape
- The locker room reason Trey Hendrickson's contract saga could go sideways
- Browns rookie QB criticized for only having 'a firm handshake and intangibles'
- Caleb Williams is in a different kind of spotlight with the Bears
- Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has a red flag