NFL Insider Makes Bold Claim About the 2025 Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks made some bold moves over the offseason, trading quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf. Those were some rather eye-opening moves by head coach Mike Macdonald.
Seattle brought in Sam Darnold to replace Smith, and cutting ties with Metcalf was surprising, as with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, they could have been a tough combo for teams to defend for another season. Those moves are paying off seven weeks into the season. One NFL insider, Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated, thinks the Seahawks are a dangerous team because of those moves.
Seattle’s New Roster Makes Them a Dangerous Team
It could be easy to second-guess the moves at the time, but Darnold has been very good with the Seahawks through seven games. He has thrown for 1,754 yards, 12 touchdowns, four interceptions, with a QBR of 72.5%. As for Smith-Njigba, he leads the NFL with 819 receiving yards on 50 receptions and four touchdowns this season without Metcalf.
“Keeping Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba together looks great on paper, but it didn’t make much financial sense to retain a disgruntled receiver looking for a pay raise while knowing that the emerging young wideout will soon cash in after a breakout Year 2. The Seahawks gained cap-space flexibility, a few draft picks, and paved the way for JSN to be a superstar after shipping Metcalf to Pittsburgh,” wrote Manzano.
As for swapping Darnold for Smith, it is a move right now that has been one of the more underrated moves of the offseason.
”Swapping in Sam Darnold for Smith has also paid off, with the former playing better than his lone season in Minnesota and the latter struggling in his Las Vegas reunion with Carroll. All these correct decisions from Schneider and Macdonald were on full display for Monday night’s late game, with the Seahawks cruising against the Texans,
Tough Road Ahead For Seahawks After Bye
Seattle enters their bye tied with the SanFrancisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC West at 5-2. They lost at home to the 49ers in Week 1, 17-13, and have yet to play the Rams. They will visit Los Angeles on November 16 and host them on December 18 on a Thursday night. The Seahawks close out the season at San Francisco on January 4.
There is a lot to still be determined between now and Week 18. After the bye, Seattle plays the Washington Commanders on November 2 for Sunday Night Football.
“Seattle hasn’t played the Rams yet and fell to the 49ers at home during the season opener. Maybe it’s safer to wait a few weeks before saying the Seahawks were right about their offseason decisions, but it’s difficult to not shower them with praise with how well Smith-Njigba has played with his new quarterback and play-caller. Moving on from Ryan Grubb and hiring Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator is another swift, bold decision that has paid off for Macdonald,” Manzano wrote.
There is no doubt that Seattle’s offense is thriving with the offseason moves. Smith-Njigba is establishing himself as one of the top receivers and playmakers in the NFL with what he’s doing without Metcalf. There is still a lot of football left in the season, but right now, it’s hard not to argue that if they stay healthy that they are a threat in the NFC come postseason time.
49ers Sell 3.2% Stake to Pete Briger Jr., Marking Strategic Ownership Shift
The San Francisco 49ers are poised to add another partner to their ownership ranks, as reports indicate that a newly agreed-upon 3.2% minority stake is being sold to Pete Briger Jr. of Fortress Investment Group. While already overlooked earlier this year, this fresh transaction is distinct and marks yet another incremental shift in the franchise's capitalization strategy.
A new piece of the puzzle
Sources close to the deal confirm that Briger's investment is structured at the same valuation as the May 2025 sale, placing the 49ers' total worth in the $8.5 – 8.6 billion range. The addition would generate roughly $272 million. Pending approval from NFL owners, the deal would join Briger to a club of minority investors already rooted in tech and venture capital.
Building on May's landmark sale
In May, the franchise sold approximately 6.2% of its equity to three Bay Area families: the Khosla, Griffith, and Deeter families. That blockbuster move set a new benchmark for NFL valuations.
The York family, led by Jed York, retained majority control.
Briger's entry does not dilute that control. Instead, it represents a fine-tuning of the ownership structure. The earlier families remain, and the Yorks continue to maintain operational authority.
Why this approach?
The 49ers are capitalizing on a broader trend in sports franchises: monetizing portions of ownership while maintaining control over decision-making. With private equity now permitted to take up to 10% ownership in NFL teams, this incremental model allows franchises to tap new capital without relinquishing control.
From the team's perspective, bringing aboard an investor like Briger, with deep financial resources and business clout, can offer strategic upside, whether through expanded networks, sponsorship opportunities, or operational flexibility.
Risks and reactions
Some observers may point to dilution, governance complexity, or the optics of "selling off the family silver." However, the York family appears to be intent on carefully calibrating each sale so that new partners strengthen, rather than weaken, the franchise's direction. As Jed York himself
What's next
The proposed deal with Briger requires approval from NFL owners, which is likely to come before the October owners' meeting. If approved, the 49ers would further diversify their minority base, reinforcing the perception of the franchise as an ultra-premium asset in the modern sports investment era.
