Defending Champions Face a Stacked Division

When the Seattle Seahawks raise their championship banner before a Super Bowl rematch with New England on Sept. 9, they will do so as defending champions who are not even favored to win their own division. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season on the strength of quarterback Sam Darnold and a stellar defense, but their path to a repeat runs through a loaded NFC West.

Seattle's biggest obstacle, as reported by The Manila Times, starts with the Los Angeles Rams, who have become prohibitive favorites to win the Super Bowl after adding Aaron Donald to a defense that already includes Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie. Donald's return from retirement was confirmed by WTOP, which quoted the three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year as saying, "I think this is a complete team with me here or without me here, so for me to even have the opportunity to be a part of this, to be with this team, I take nothing for granted."

The Rams also boast the reigning NFL MVP in Matthew Stafford and star receiver Puka Nacua, giving them a prolific offense to match what could be the league's best defense. WTOP reported that Los Angeles is the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl, with odds at plus-500 or better, and that the last team to win as a preseason favorite with those odds was San Francisco in 1994.

A Division of Super Bowl Contenders

The NFC West features three of the top seven teams in Super Bowl odds, according to BetMGM, as cited by WTOP. The Seahawks themselves knocked out both the 49ers and Rams in the playoffs last season en route to the title. Coach Mike Macdonald, described by WTOP as a defensive whiz-kid, has rewarded young stars Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba with market-setting contracts.

Despite those losses, Seattle still has Darnold and AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the offense, along with a sensational defense. Smith-Njigba told WTOP, "We want to create a new story with this upcoming season."

The San Francisco 49ers, who won 12 games and a wild-card game last season despite injuries to Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and George Kittle, have added six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans and brought back Deebo Samuel. General manager John Lynch shared with WTOP a lesson he had taken from a John Wooden book about not losing sleep over the competition—a lesson that quickly became ironic. "As we were speaking, that came out and Kyle said, 'You know what? (Screw) John Wooden,'" Lynch recalled, referring to the moment the Rams acquired Garrett. "So, we understand what we're going up against, but we're more focused on being at our best and that, we think, is going to be pretty damn good."

Trent Williams expressed confidence in the 49ers' potential, saying, "I hope that can show how dominant we are." WTOP noted that the 49ers are not as strong defensively as they were in 2019 and 2023.

The Arizona Cardinals round out the division under first-year coach Mike LaFleur. WTOP reported that they have the toughest projected schedule in the NFL and the longest odds to win the division. The Cardinals feature All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, left tackle Paris Johnson, and rookie running back Jeremiyah Love. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is expected to start at quarterback, with third-round rookie Carson Beck potentially getting a shot.

The Challenge of Repeating

The Seahawks face the NFL's historic difficulty in repeating as champions. WTOP noted that no NFC team has repeated as Super Bowl champions since Dallas in 1992-93. Seattle must replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant, and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who left for the Raiders.

The season opens with Seattle hosting New England in a Super Bowl rematch on Sept. 9, the league's second Wednesday opener. The Rams and 49ers play the next day in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia, part of an unprecedented nine international games in 2026.