Seahawks analyst Rob Staton on extra importance of 49ers opener, NFC West outlook

The Seattle Seahawks have trimmed their roster to 53 players, preseason is in the books, and the 2025 regular season is finally here. On this episode of The Hawks Eye Podcast, I was joined by Rob Staton of Seahawks Draft Blog to break down where the team stands heading into Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.

The show kicks off with an in-depth discussion of the Seahawks’ final roster decisions. We examined which players earned their spots, which surprise cuts stood out, and where the roster still feels thin. From young rookies cracking the lineup to established veterans proving their value, the roster conversation sets the foundation for Seattle’s season outlook. While the Seahawks moved on from Marquez Valdes-Scantling, which Rob didn’t expect, he has a positive view of Seattle’s receiver group, which is led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

All eyes this week are on the Week 1 showdown with the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle opens the season against its toughest divisional rival, and Rob breaks down key matchups — including the battle between Seattle’s offensive line and San Francisco’s vaunted pass rush. With the 49ers entering the opener with a banged-up wide receiver corps, the Seahawks’ defense has a real opportunity to take advantage and tilt the matchup in their favor. An early win would be a statement, but at the very least, this game will be a true measuring stick for Macdonald’s team.

“I think it’s a very important game,” Staton said. “I think if you lose, like, you’ve you’ve had a big reset, you had a bad home record last year. I think if you lose your opening game at home to an NFC West opponent, it’s a setback. Now, it’s one game. It’s doesn’t mean the season’s going to be over, but if they lose, I know as I’m leaving Lumen Field, I’m going to be wondering, ‘Are they ever going to get the home field advantage back? Are they ever going to get to this point where they can make teams fear coming here again?

“And I also think they’re getting the Niners at a decent time because they’re they’re quite banged up at receiver. They’ve got a young defense that might be a bit more settled in in a few weeks time. I know on the other hand that, you could argue, well, Christian McCaffrey may well be hurt in a few weeks and you’re getting him fresh and ready to go and all of that, but I just think it’s vital that they start off with a win. And it doesn’t have to be a spectacular performance because it very rarely is. Like even in the sort of the peak Russ years there were often—remember that Miami [Dolphins] game where he was hobbled and they just about won, and there was a game I think against the [Cincinnati] Bengals where they just about won on the opening day.

“There was all sorts of games like that where they just scrape through against teams they were expected to beat. So they don’t have to to smash the Niners or anything. I just think you need to win and that will send a message itself you know that the Seahawks mean business.“

Finally, we widen the lens to the NFC West picture. The Rams boast exciting young talent, but the lingering concern around Matthew Stafford’s back injury could derail their season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals remain a mystery — can they finally become a true contender for the division, or are they destined to remain inconsistent and up-and-down? Against that backdrop, Seattle has a real chance to establish itself as the biggest challenger to the 49ers. Rob closes by offering his win-loss projection, and he’s just as bullish as I am about Seattle’s chances of winning the division and hitting double-digit victories in 2025.

“I think now is the time to take a step [to win the NFC West],” Staton said. “And it is about taking a step. I don’t think it’s about taking a jump. You know, I don’t think you’re going to go from ‘well, we’ve not made the playoffs for the last two years to, oh, look, we’re in the NFC Championship game.’ I don’t think it’s impossible by the way, because I think the NFC is wide open. But I don’t think it’s something that we should expect.

“I think winning the NFC West, getting a home playoff game, that would give you a chance. I know—touch wood— the home form is better. That would give you a chance to win a home playoff game, progress to the divisional round and feel like, okay, we can have a bit of excitement in January again. That that would be a step forward. And I think that is there for us to see.”

Rob also sees this year’s 49ers as potentially like the 2017 Seahawks, after which major changes were made in the offseason on the coaching staff and on the roster.

As far as the Cardinals, a trendy playoff pick?

“I feel like that the Cardinals have become that team that every year everyone’s going that they’re the ones that are going to make a step this year. And I’m looking at the defense. I just do not see enough difference makers on that defense.”

And lastly, the defending division champion Rams.

“People keep forgetting the Rams had the same record as Seattle last year. The same record, and they played Minnesota who collapsed, and Darnold collapsed, and then they played the Eagles hard but still lost, and everyone’s like acting like ‘Well now they’re a contender now.’ McVay’s a genius, Stafford if he’s healthy can play—they didn’t play well in the regular season. I’m just not sure they’re as good as some people think.”

“I think now is the time; you’ve built a decently young roster. It’s not as good as some of the [best] in the NFC, but it’s maybe an offseason away from being there.“

For Seahawks fans eager for clarity heading into the year, this episode provides sharp analysis, bold predictions, and an honest look at what lies ahead.