For the first time since January 5th earlier this year, the Seattle Seahawks are playing a football game! Yes, it is only a preseason game with nonexistent stakes (aside from not being blown out by former head coach Pete Carroll’s starters) but it is still football! After seven full months without watching the Seahawks, I know I speak for the rest of the 12th Man when I say we’ll happily take whatever we can get at this point.
Preseason Week 1 is all about shaking the rust off and giving teams their first crack at playing an actual game against other opponents. While this may be the only time of the football year where getting a win isn’t necessarily the single most important goal, that does not mean these games are entirely without meaning. There are still plenty of positional battles that will take place, and more than a few key storylines for the team – and fans – to keep an eye on. In fact, here’s five of them:
No. 1 – Jalen Milroe’s debut
It’s impossible for any other storyline to take precedence over this. For just the third time since 2010, the Seahawks drafted a quarterback, and he’s one that represents a tantalizing amount of potential. Jalen Milroe is widely regarded as a project in need of serious development, but his athleticism is off the charts. Thursday night will be the first opportunity to see him in action during an actual game setting. What will we see? Just how far along is he in his development? Will we get an idea of how offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak plans to utilize him? Milroe is the shiny new toy and the 12’s are eager to see if perhaps history might repeat itself with regards to a third round quarterback potentially supplanting the veteran free agent starter acquired earlier in the offseason.
No. 2 – Drew Lock lock up the backup quarterback position?
Given the excitement and interest of both Sam Darnold and Jalen Milroe, it’s easy to forget there’s not only another quarterback on the roster, but one ahead (for now?) of Milroe on the depth chart! Making his return to the Emerald City is longtime backup Drew Lock, who will be playing in his first game at Lumen Field since December 18th, 2023. It’s not common for NFL teams these days to keep three quarterbacks on the eventual 53-man roster, but given Milroe’s (presumed) need to develop, as well as Seattle’s clear love for Lock, don’t be surprised if the Seahawks buck this particular trend when it comes to final cuts. However, I don’t think it’s unfair to say Lock is probably playing for his job this preseason. If Lock struggles mightily, and Milroe truly impresses, I wouldn’t put it outside the realm of possibility for the Seahawks to roll with only two signal callers this year.
No. 3 – How will the offensive line look without (most of) the starters?
Head coach Mike Macdonald already announced most of the Seahawks starters will not play against the Raiders. So no Sam Darnold, Leonard Williams, JSN, K9 or Cooper Kupp. However, that does not include certain rookies, like No. 18 overall pick Grey Zabel, from seeing action. Macdonald made it clear the entire rookie class will see action on Thursday night. Zabel is already a starter on the offensive line, but if the rest of his class will play, that will also include fellow lineman Bryce Cabeldue and Mason Richman. So much of Seattle’s success in 2025 is dependent upon the team finally being able to improve their offensive line. Thursday won’t provide any definitive answer if the team was able to accomplish this goal, but it will give an important first look to see the progress that has – or has not – occurred, at least when it comes to building legitimate depth up front.
No. 4 – Who will emerge in the running back battle?
There is a window of opportunity for enterprising young running backs on the Seattle Seahawks. With Kenneth Walker III dealing with some foot soreness and third stringer Kenny McIntosh on the injured reserve list, there is room for someone to make his name on Thursday. Currently, the running backs on Seattle’s roster includes Zach Charbonnet (presumed primary backup), George Holani, rookie Damien Martinez, Jacardia Wright and Anthony Tyus III. The preseason isn’t just an audition for your current team, it’s for the other 31 teams as well. I suspect we’ll see a healthy dosage of all of these young men carrying the rock against the Raiders.
No. 5 – Who will be this year’s surprise stand out?
This is of course the most speculative of all the storylines, but every year brings us a new preseason standout. Last year it was linebacker Jamie Sheriff who recorded three sacks. Who will it be in 2025? Of course it could be someone “expected” like Jalen Milroe or rookie wide receiver Tory Horton. But I suspect it will be someone who isn’t necessarily on everyone’s radar. If I had to make a guess, I’ll stick with the defensive front and say to keep an eye on linebacker Jared Ivey, the undrafted standout from Ole Miss.