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NFL·June 17, 2026 07:26 PM ET

Seahawks Lean Into 'Dark Side' Defensive Identity

Super Bowl champions embrace 'Dark Side' defensive identity.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 171 min read
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The Dark Side of the Emerald City. https://t.co/5rgCTHBjO1

What happened: The Seattle Seahawks officially emphasized their "Dark Side" branding Wednesday, highlighting the defensive culture that defined their championship run. The identity centers on a physical, high-speed secondary that has become the signature of the franchise's recent success.

Why it matters: Following a dominant 29–13 victory in Super Bowl 60, the Seattle Seahawks are doubling down on the "Dark Side" moniker for the upcoming 2026 season. The scheme's reliance on versatile defensive back packages has effectively modernized the team's historic reputation for elite defense.

By the numbers: Seattle's "Dark Side" unit allowed only 13 points in their recent Super Bowl victory. The defense utilized nickel or dime personnel on over 90% of total snaps during the 2025 campaign.

What to watch: Training camp will focus on maintaining this defensive standard as the unit integrates depth pieces into the championship core.

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