The Seattle Seahawks have one of the best defenses in the NFL, which does not comes as a surprise. However, Seattle’s unit took a hit in the open market this offseason, which calls into question where their defense ranks compared to the other 31 teams in the league.

The Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos defenses are the three teams that challenge the Seahawks the most.

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The Rams have a wowing defense on paper after acquiring Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie in the trade market this offseason. Houston and Denver have retained their cores on defense, putting them on par with Seattle, though the Seahawks’ losses on the defensive side of the ball in free agency were significant.

Star safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Tariq Woolen departed from Seattle in free agency. Consequently, the question that exists this spring is whether or not Seattle’s incoming rookies will be able to give them great production in the secondary next season.

Safety Bud Clark and cornerback Julian Neal will have the chance to contribute meaningfully for the Seahawks in 2026. Dante Fowler Jr. is expected to give the Seahawks sound production in place of Boye Mafe.

A team does not need to have the top-rated defense in the league to win the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, the Seahawks’ defense was strikingly good last season, with All-Pro honorees Leonard Williams, Ernest Jones IV and Devon Witherspoon in all three lines of defense.

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The Seahawks also had standout performers that were not honored with an All-Pro nod at season’s end. Byron Murphy played incredibly last season, giving Seattle a second athletic, explosive pass rusher in the interior. Josh Jobe had an impact on the defense and Nick Emmanwori emerged as a precocious rookie at the safety slot. With those player set to return in 2026, the Seahawks have a defense that appears to be slightly better than the Broncos’, good for second-best in the NFL behind the Texans’, until the Rams’ unit proves itself next season.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seattle Seahawks’ defense among the best in the NFL for 2026 season