Boston Super Blog

The Seattle Seahawks could not have scripted The Road To MetLife Stadium to go more successfully than it finished up, resulting in a 43-8 blowout victory in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos. With a defense built to win championships and an offense that should only get better with a healthy Percy Harvin, this Seahawks team is expected to compete for multiple Super Bowl championships. Still, even with that being said, every Super Bowl winner faces difficult offseason questions. Everyone knows how hard it is to win one title, let alone consecutive championships, meaning it will be difficult for Seattle to make it back to Super Bowl XLIX. But, if we learned anything last season, it is not to ever count out a squad such as the Seahawks. They will, however, still have to face some offseason questions, with these following five needing to be addressed the most.

In the spirit of full-disclosure, I’m working as part of the Road to MetLife Stadium Preferred Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving special access to MetLife events and be conducting reader giveaways, with prizes provided by MetLife and Sony Electronics. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

5. Who wears No. 18 for Seattle in 2014? We know the questions that the Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLVIII opponents’ No. 18 will face heading into the offseason, but Seattle had a guy who wore that number and was pretty good for them in the past, at least when he was healthy. The problem for Sidney Rice is that he is often injured, meaning the ‘Hawks will almost definitely cut him rather quickly into the offseason.

4. Does Zach Miller want to return to Seattle in 2014? If he does, then he will need to take a major pay cut, as the Seahawks would be foolish to pay him the $7 million cap figure that his contract calls for next season. Luke Wilson can fill the No. 1 tight end role easily enough, and the team could replace Miller with a much more affordable option.

3. Will the real Chris Clemons please stand up? Which Clemons will show up in 2014? The one who played great in MetLife Stadium, resulting in a convincing Super Bowl XLVIII win, or the one coming off of ACL surgery and looked every bit like the 32-year-old part-time he was earlier in the season? For the Seahawks, it is the $10 million question, leading me to think he will be playing elsewhere in 2014, or in Seattle at a much lower cap figure.

2. How much will Michael Bennett cost? Bennett wants to remain in Seattle, and the Seahawks clearly want him back in 2014, but he won his gamble by signing a one-year deal in hopes of turning it into a huge payday this offseason. He will likely re-sign with the ‘Hawks, but it will not come cheaply.

1. How much planning will it take to lock up The Legion of Boom? Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor are all up for substantial pay raises within another season or two. They are the heart and soul of this team, and the Seahawks need to keep all of them and sign them to long-term contracts. That means that other players may be forced to look elsewhere for work as Seattle makes plans on how to keep its stars happy (and wealthy) going forward. That starts now.

I hope that you have enjoyed the coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII as well as all of the story lines leading up to The Road To MetLife Stadium. Make sure to stay tuned to Boston Super Blog for more coverage and recaps as well as analysis of last night’s game in MetLife Stadium, as well as a look ahead to where the Broncos and Seahawks will go from here.

Finally, in case you have not yet seen the video of NFL players – both past and present – signing a collaborative version of the National Anthem, then what are you waiting for? I must admit that I went into it expecting to have some laughs, but these guys were pretty impressive. Current players such as Justin Tuck and Josh Brown of the New York Giants, Greg Jennings of the Minnesota Vikings and Nick Mangold of the New York Jets, as well as former stars including Emmitt Smith and Eddie George all got together to put out quite an impressive rendition of the National Anthem. If you have not yet seen it, make sure to check it out by clicking here.

Make sure to follow all of the latest on Twitter by using the #Road2MetLifeStadium and tag @MetLifeCentral, as well as checking back early and often to Boston Super Blog for all of the latest information regarding Super Bowl XLVIII in MetLife Stadium between the Broncos and Seahawks!