One of the brightest developments for the Seattle Seahawks offense in 2024 was the breakout season had by Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Aside from Smith-Njigba's Pro Bowl emergence, though, last season posed more questions about the Seahawks wide receiver corps than answers.
Just what the future holds for veteran Tyler Lockett and how best to feature DK Metcalf are among the top priorities this offseason for head coach Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Kubiak indicated that one of the major draws for him joining the Seahawks was coaching Geno Smith, but Macdonald was also impressed by the plans he has for Metcalf.
"I'll tell you this: We talked. Every candidate had an idea how we're going to use DK definitely at the top of their mind," Macdonald said, via the Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell. "It's great to hear different visions throughout the league of how guys saw him.
"I think Klint has the best vision out of all those guys."
Metcalf is an impressive mix of blinding speed and imposing might, but he's coming off a season in which he had a career-low five touchdown catches on 66 receptions for 992 yards -- snapping a two-season streak of 1,000 yards.
He dealt with nagging injuries, but the two-time Pro Bowler has all the physical tools to be one of the NFL's best.
Thus, as he enters a contract season with a cap number currently at $31.8 million, the hope is for more from the 28-year old.
"A lot to work with. A lot of great skill to work with," Kubiak said. "Down-the-field threat. Strong, physical player. Extremely excited about getting to work with him, and his physical presence. Brings a lot, can bring a lot, to our offense."
As the Minnesota Vikings quarterback coach in 2020 and the team's OC in 2021, Kubiak was present for the first two seasons of Justin Jefferson's career. So, he's familiar with getting the most out of a sensational receiving talent.
He'll look to do the same with Metcalf.
Just how much he'll get to do with Lockett will be a prevailing quandary in the Pacific Northwest.
Lockett, 32, had 49 receptions for 600 yards and two touchdowns -- each of them his lowest outputs since 2017. As he approaches his 11th season in the league and with the team, Lockett is likewise entering the final year of his current contract, which has a glaring $30.8 million cap number.
Something will need to change if Lockett is going to stay in Seattle.
"I think we're working through that right now," Macdonald said.
"Those decisions will happen probably when the time comes in the next month or two."
A 2023 first-rounder, Smith-Njigba turned in 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six scores in 2024. He'll no doubt be a focal point for Kubiak, but just how much the new OC can get out of Metcalf and just what the future holds with Lockett's status will be storylines to monitor for the '25 Seahawks.
