The Seattle Seahawks are facing a "sense of urgency" to improve after a significant 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, marking their first double-digit defeat in nearly two years. The loss drops the defending Super Bowl champions to a 4-4 record, prompting concern from head coach Mike Macdonald.
"The sense of urgency for us to improve right now is high," Macdonald stated. The offense struggled, managing only 252 total yards and converting just one of 11 third-down opportunities.
Quarterback Sam Darnold acknowledged the issues, saying, "I always think it starts with first and second down efficiency." Darnold finished 17 of 34 for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. This performance was Seattle's largest margin of defeat with Darnold at quarterback this season. He has accumulated 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions overall. "I feel like there were opportunities to get the ball out, and I just didn’t," Darnold added, having been sacked three times.
Adding to the offensive challenges, the team adjusted its line with the recent acquisition of three-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and the return of running backs Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet from injuries. However, tackle Charles Cross was absent due to injury. The improvised offensive line faced a formidable Chicago defense, bolstered by newly acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who recorded a sack and six tackles.
"We came off of last week feeling good, and then we have some change up in our offensive line," Macdonald noted. Despite the additions, the Seahawks' run game was largely ineffective, with Price and Charbonnet combining for 52 yards on 16 carries. "We’ve got to improve very quickly in the run game," said Grey Zabel, who moved to right guard after Nelson's acquisition. "Got to get back to running the ball, take the pressure off our quarterback and wide receivers and our play-caller."
Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to be a bright spot for Seattle, catching six passes for 118 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown. He leads the NFL with 985 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through Week 8, marking his seventh 100-yard game this season.
For the first time since Week 4, a receiver other than Smith-Njigba scored a touchdown, with Cooper Kupp catching a 7-yard pass that narrowed the deficit to 20-17 in the fourth quarter. Kicker Jason Myers missed a pair of kicks against the Bears, including a blocked 33-yard field goal attempt.
Defensive tackle Leonard Williams sustained a stinger in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. Prior to Monday's loss, the Seahawks had not lost a regular season or playoff game by more than four points in 30 consecutive games, with their last such defeat being a 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 15, 2024.
The Seahawks are scheduled to host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.