Deadspin's 2026 NFL Improvement Rankings: Why It's Already Got the Emerald City Buzzing

Alright, 12s, you gotta see this! Deadspin just dropped an article today, May 21, 2026, and the headline is absolutely buzzing around the league: "Ranking the Four Most Improved NFL Teams Entering the 2026 Season." Now, our faithful Seattle sports heart nearly stops when you read something like that, right? Immediately, your mind goes to one place: are our Hawks on that list? What does *that* even mean for us as we head into the 2026 campaign? It's early May, the offseason grind is real, and suddenly, this piece from Dave Ivey throws a whole new level of anticipation into the mix. We're talking about the *most* improved teams, not just any team. That's a bold claim, and it's got us all wondering if the football gods are finally smiling on the Pacific Northwest.

What Does "Improved" Even Mean For Our Hawks?

Think about it. When a major sports outlet like Deadspin talks about the "most improved" in the NFL, every single one of us in the Emerald City starts running through our roster. Have we made the moves? Are our guys ready to take that leap? We know we've got Sam Darnold under center, and you can bet we’re all hoping he’s ready to light up Lumen Field. Then you look at our receiving corps: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and yeah, Cooper Kupp. That's a lineup designed to make some noise, isn't it? Head Coach Mike Macdonald and Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury have been working relentlessly, trying to build something special here. So, when you hear "most improved," you can't help but picture *our* guys, *our* coaching staff, making the kind of strides that put us front and center in that discussion. It’s the kind of hope that fuels us through every offseason workout, every rumor, every new piece of information that drops.

The Stakes Are Sky-High for the 2026 Season, List or No List

Look, whether our beloved Seahawks make Deadspin's "most improved" list or not, the fact that such a conversation is happening just amplifies what we already feel: the 2026 NFL season is going to be absolutely massive. Every fan is hungry for a dominant performance. We want to see those Sunday victories, we want to hear the roar of the crowd at Lumen, and we want to see our team compete at the highest level. These early May rankings, even if they don't explicitly name names, set a tone. They crank up the volume on the anticipation. They remind us that teams across the league are gearing up, making moves, and striving for that next level. And we, as the 12s, are right there with them, expecting nothing less from our squad. The excitement builds with every passing day, every news bit, every mention of teams making strides. So, what are we doing about it? We're counting down the days to kickoff, that's what. We're ready to see Darnold connect with JSN, Shaheed, and Kupp. We're ready for Macdonald's defense to shut down opponents. The football season might still feel a ways off, but the conversation is already heating up. Get ready, Seattle, because the 2026 season is coming fast, and we're bringing all the passion and energy the 12s are famous for. Let's show them what "improved" truly looks like, on the field.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.