The 2021 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 46th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 20th playing their home games at their current venue, Lumen Field, as well as their 12th under head coach Pete Carroll.

The Seahawks failed to improve on the previous year's 12–4 record after their Week 7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, and after their 20–10 loss to division rival Los Angeles Rams in Week 15, the Seahawks suffered their first losing season since 2011, and their only losing season of the Russell Wilson era.

Following their Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears, the Seahawks suffered their first double-digit losing season since 2009, finished last in their division for the first time since 1996, when they played in the AFC West, and were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2017.

Backup quarterback Geno Smith would start in Wilson’s absence and eventually become the full time starter the following season.

This was the first season since 2010 without longtime linebacker K. J. Wright, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on September 6, 2021.

Wagner was released on March 9, 2022, and signed a five-year contract worth up to $65 million with the defending Super Bowl LVI champion Los Angeles Rams on March 31 before being cut and returning to the Seahawks the next season, while Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos along with a 4th round pick for quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, tight end Noah Fant, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth round pick on March 16.

This game was Russell Wilson's last as a quarterback for the Seahawks before he was traded to the Denver Broncos the following offseason.