It may be the most anticipated preseason game in recent memory.

In a game that would otherwise be most notable for its first Seahawks game action of the new season or players fighting for a roster spot, the attention being paid to Thursday’s preseason opener will be sky high.

Because it’s Pete Carroll’s return to Lumen Field: his first visit to Lumen as the opposing head coach.

It’ll be a little strange, no question, the man who led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl title returns with his new club, Las Vegas. The Raiders take on the Seahawks at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Different? Of course.

But to Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald, there’s no question how the 12s should treat Carroll and former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

“I haven’t even thought about it. We should be cheering Pete (Carroll) when he gets here. We should be cheering Geno (Smith). How could you not? We should be cheering those guys. Now, when the ball is snapped, we’re going to go try to win the game, and we’re not going to be playing our starters, but we’re going to go compete like heck. I think Pete would appreciate that. I hope Pete gets a great ovation. He deserves it,” Macdonald said on Saturday.

The Seahawks have undergone massive changes over the last couple of years, so certainly a lot of the mainstay players during Carroll’s tenure have moved on, too.

But not all of them. And for those players, it’s hard to ignore at least some of the uniqueness heading into this preseason opener.

“It will be interesting. It’s one of those things I haven’t really thought about yet. Obviously, being the coach that drafted me and brought me into Seattle, into the NFL, it will be an emotional moment. He got a new job, and we’re in a new situation. At the end of the day, we’ll probably have our five minutes, then go get to work,” said Boye Mafe. Mafe was a second-round pick of the Seahawks in 2022.

Carroll, now 73 but acting more like he’s 40 with the boundless energy 12s came to know and love, compiled a 137-89-1 record over 14 seasons from 2010-2023 as Seahawks Head Coach. As Macdonald mentioned earlier, starters seldom play in preseason openers, so seeing Geno Smith play is unlikely.

But it’s a safe bet that if Carroll or Smith are shown on the big screen or when they run onto the field for the first time, there will be a show of appreciation. But make no mistake.

Fans are hoping that ultimately, Macdonald and Sam Darnold fare better in 2025 than Carroll and Smith.