Cowherd argues Seahawks undervalued despite Super Bowl triumph
Colin Cowherd challenges the narrative that the Seattle Seahawks’ 2025 victory was a statistical anomaly, pointing to defensive dominance and roster stability as indicators of sustained contention.
Fox Sports commentator Colin Cowherd has argued that the Seattle Seahawks are being systematically underestimated as defending Super Bowl champions ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Despite securing the title in 2025, Cowherd contends that oddsmakers and the broader public view the victory as a transient success rather than a sustainable institutional achievement.
The commentary highlights a disconnect between the team’s on-field performance and its market valuation. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Seattle enters the 2026 season with the fourth-best Super Bowl odds, trailing the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills. Cowherd suggests this ranking fails to account for the structural advantages the franchise has built.
Central to Cowherd’s argument is the continuity surrounding quarterback Sam Darnold. After moving through four teams in four years, Darnold is now in his first season with the same head coach, coaching staff, locker room, and living environment. Cowherd described this stability as a significant competitive benefit, noting that Darnold’s opening season saw him finish fifth in the league with 4,048 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Seahawks’ defensive identity under head coach Mike Macdonald was also cited as a primary driver of their success. Macdonald’s unit led the league in scoring defense during the regular season and delivered a dominant performance in the playoffs, including the Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. Cowherd compared Macdonald’s coaching acumen to that of Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, describing him as “Sean McVay on the defensive side.”
Roster health and age management further bolster the case for Seattle’s contender status. Cowherd pointed to the sustained fitness of veteran players such as Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Charles Cross, alongside Darnold’s lack of significant injury history. The commentator asserted that the team possesses arguably the best general manager and defensive coach in the league, supported by a young receiving core that includes Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Statistical records from the past two years reinforce the argument for Seattle’s consistency. The team has compiled a 15-2 record on the road and established itself as the premier home team in the league. Despite these metrics and a strong infrastructure, Cowherd argued that the Seahawks remain excluded from the primary conversation regarding title favourites.
The commentary suggests that the narrative of Seattle’s victory being a “one-off” is contradicted by the team’s operational stability. With a young, healthy roster and a coaching staff that has established a clear identity, Cowherd believes the Seahawks’ current standing does not reflect their true potential for the upcoming season.
