Seattle Seahawks: What’s the Deal with Doug Baldwin?

After Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Doug Baldwin came back from injury, he seemed quite surprised that he was not targetted more. Here is why.

Since Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin came back from injury in week four against the Arizona Cardinals, he hasn’t seemed like the same force he was last year. Pete Carrol says it is because they are not throwing enough to get Baldwin the targets he wants, but Baldwin didn’t seem to like hearing that he will be less of a weapon for the offense. So what exactly is Baldwin’s issue?

Doug Baldwin has been Russell Wilson’s go-to receiver for the last three years. Of course, Baldwin wants to be the “Security Blanket”, he had over 1,000 yards in 2015 and 2016 and just under 1,000 yards in 2017.

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After running back Marshawn Lynch left football for his initial retirement after the 2015 season, the Seattle Seahawks lost their punishing run game. In fact, their rushing game was almost nonexistent.

Last season, the Seahawks running back corps were riddled with injuries, Wilson was the team’s leading rusher, as a result. Additionally, he became the NFL’s leader in passing touchdowns. Who was his number one receiver? Doug Baldwin. By necessity, Seattle became a pass-heavy team with Wilson to Baldwin as the primary weapon.

A Change in 2018

Since week three, against the Dallas Cowboys, the Seattle Seahawks have turned themselves into what they preached all offseason, a run-first team. They have been successful on the ground, recording three consecutive games with a rusher over 100 yards. This new style of offense shows more resemblance to the Super Bowl teams of a few years ago than last year’s pass-happy group.

I’m not saying the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders, but this is the most successful the offense has been in two seasons. How could Baldwin not be okay with playing more like the offense that helped win a Super Bowl and came within minutes of winning another?

Baldwin commented his frustration about not getting targeted more but also admitted that on most passing downs he played against the Los Angeles Rams, he was double teamed which opened up plays downfield to Tyler Lockett and David Moore.

There still time for Doug Baldwin to become Wilson’s go-to guy again. Keep in mind, just like the old saying says “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”,  and it’s working just fine. The last two seasons the Seahawks offense was broken and Wilson and Baldwin had to step up.

Now Seattle has an effective rushing game that should be their main focus. I’m just hoping that Baldwin is okay with riding the back of the bus again because Chris Carson and Co. are the featured offensive weapons this season.