The Seattle Seahawks once looked capable of finding an answer to almost anything on offense. Now, even routine gains have become a struggle, and Sam Darnold is spending too much time trying to make plays under pressure.

The loss to the Chicago Bears exposed several problems that have been building for weeks. Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady has watched the decline and believes the issues go deeper than Darnold.

Tom Brady Points to Seahawks’ Run Game and Predictable Offense

Speaking on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Brady identified Seattle’s problems up front and its inability to establish a running game as major concerns.

The defending Super Bowl champions fell 34-17 to the Bears, dropping to 4-4 and exposing an offense that has struggled to find a reliable rhythm.

Brady connected the team’s offensive line changes to its problems on the ground, while also pointing to injuries at running back. Darnold, who ranks 21st on PFN NFL QB Impact Metric, has struggled as well. Speaking about him, Brady said that he has been forced to create plays under pressure rather than operate within a functioning offense.

“This year, the injuries at running back and the reshuffling of the offensive line, they haven’t been able to get that run game going,” Brady said.

He also discussed the impact of Seattle’s new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, and described how difficult the offense has looked during recent games.

“It’s a new coordinator. Sam Darnold’s been running around, trying to create stuff in the pocket to buy himself a little time, but it just looks very stagnant on their offense,” Brady added. “Everything feels like a little bit of a root canal right now. It’s like 4 yards, and it feels so difficult.”

The Seahawks have struggled to find balance, even with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price back from injury. The pair combined for just 52 rushing yards on 16 carries against Chicago.

This left Darnold with more responsibility in an offense that has increasingly relied on wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Brady believes Seattle needs to use more of its available weapons rather than allowing defenses to anticipate where the ball will go. He specifically mentioned Cooper Kupp and the team’s tight ends as options that could help open up the passing game.

“They’re going to need to find some ways to loosen up that defense a little bit and get some other guys involved,” Brady said. “Cooper Kupp’s still capable, probably not like he used to be, but he’s still capable of catching balls against zone. When it’s man, you’re going to throw to JSN anyway. They got a couple of good tight ends.”

Despite the criticism, Brady has not written off Seattle’s chances. He credited the team’s coaching and personnel, while pointing to the remaining schedule as an opportunity to make adjustments and get injured players back.

“I’m not selling the Seahawks yet at all. I mean, they’re still very capable and very well-coached, but they’ve got to get some of the kinks worked out,” he said.

Brady also recalled a lesson from his former coach, Bill Belichick, about the timing of the NFL season.

“Coach Belichick used to say to us, football season doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving,” Brady said.

Seattle has two more games before its Week 11 bye, giving the team an opportunity to assess its progress, get healthier, and improve offensively before returning after Thanksgiving. So, Darnold and the Seahawks should find answers on offense, and that is going to be their immediate priority.