“It’s just the preseason.”

On my bus ride home from last night’s game, this was the comment I saw a few times over when the Seattle Seahawks posted on social media that their offense had rushed for 268 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs (shout out to my Seahawk Santa pal for inviting me to sit in his kick ass seats with him again behind the team benches).

It’s just preseason, indeed. No nuance to any of this comment. No effort to display any ounce of buy into the new offensive scheme and coaching. Just a curmudgeon-y display of good old fashioned PNW freeze from a few fans who felt the need to stamp out any optimism from diehard Twelves who saw plenty of reason to celebrate a dominant preseason win against one of the best franchises in all of football.

I get it, though. For several years now the Seattle Seahawks have rested the realms of being a mid level NFL team. Not a terrible team, but nothing to feel overly excited about, either.

Being middle of the pack for multiple years in a row can have a draining effect on many fans. Your team isn’t ever terrible enough to think they are going to have a shot at drafting a franchise altering quarterback like a Jayden Daniels, and it is never good enough to believe that if it does slip into the playoffs, it’s going to make any serious run towards a title.

For my money, the surest way for Seattle to get above this middle of the pack rut is not to suck for a season, and then try to draft some young savior type who is going to play under center for the next decade of Seahawk football. For me, that is setting your franchise up for relying on the ultimate crap shoot gamble pro sports has to offer fans, and teams that commit to this horse shit strategy generally stay garbage franchises for a long time (see the New York Jets). I am not going to go through the long list of failed first round pick quarterbacks to demonstrate why the percentages aren’t great, most NFL fans should be aware enough to know these numbers. Instead, I am going to offer a more practical method becoming a dominant NFL franchise.

Play great defense, and run the holy snot out of the mother flipping football.

If your team can annually do these two things, your team should generally be good for 11 to 12 wins per season regardless of who is playing under center, and should be contending for division titles year in and year out. If you pair a top five defense, with a top ten rushing attack offense, your football team will be badass.

Football is not a patty cakes sport, so why allow offensive coordinators to dial up drop back passes like they are offering up lines of cocaine backstage of a Van Halen concert in 1984?

The Seattle Seahawks have been a mid level team for years not because they don’t have the next great NFL quarterback. They have been mid because they systematically have gotten away from the formula that won them a Super Bowl over a decade ago by placating to their then franchise quarterback instead of doubling down on their model. This is it, period.

After watching what the Seahawks did offensively against the Raiders last week, and then watching them further double down against the Chiefs last night, I have high confidence that, come hell or high-water, Mike Macdonald return Seattle Seahawk football to its glorious roots of over a decade ago. I am highly confident in that. Here is a list of things I have observed that are big confidence boosters for me as of this moment.

The Offensive Line feels badass and purposeful

For two preseason games in a row, the Seattle Seahawks offensive line has played surprisingly clean, connected, purposeful, and overall fairly badass. They have been doing this while their starting left tackle has stayed sidelined recovering from finger surgery to get him ready for the regular season.

You can go onto Youtube and watch any numerous film breakdowns are what they are going in these games, but generally it is a pretty easy to write synopsis.

Gray Zabel looks like a great first round pick at left guard, clearing defenders, making holes, sealing backside lanes for his runners, and being a reliable pass blocker. His former North Dakota State teammate Jalen Sundell looks more than capable at center, and Anthony Bradford looks like a completely different player at right guard knocking down front seven defenders, and playing with much better balance and technique. Abe Lucas looks healthy and dominant again at right tackle.

This is all, of course, good stuff to see, but the level of play hasn’t really dropped off when the reserves take the field. The execution has felt very similar. The running backs have continued hitting their lanes, and backup QBs Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe have had plenty of time to throw and hit receivers.

For me, I think the unspoken heroes in what has amounted to 268 yards of rushing Friday night are clearly longtime NFL offensive line coaches John Benton and Rick Dennison acting as OL coach and run game coordinator. Klint Kubiak was wise to bring these two fellas into the fold for Seattle when he took the offensive coordinator job. It is obvious that both men have coached up this line and run game at an extremely high level.

The real season is long and injuries happen, but there is reason to believe that Seattle will play better up front because their depth will be better coached up than in years past. Through these two games, it is okay to feel optimism about that now.

The Seahawk QB situation is better than national people think

I could write an entire separate piece about this subheading, and perhaps in the future, I will, but for now, let me just say the following. I think the Seattle quarterbacks are getting very good coaching out of Klint Kubiak and QB coach Andy Janocko. Here are some quick thoughts on each of Seattle’s passers as I have observed them.

Drew Lock has always had a talented arm, but it is his footwork that feels night and day better than it was two years ago when he was backing up Geno Smith. Of the three quarterbacks, he had the flashiest night stepping up into the pocket delivering accurate throws, making plays with his legs and arm.

If we would have seen this version of Lock coming into Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade, I think it would have been much harder on Pete Carroll to have justified anointing Geno as his starter, even if that was his deep down preference. I know Lock threw that bad pick against the Raiders last week, and perhaps that is always something that is going to sorta be in him, but I gotta be honest and say that through these two games, I have a lot more confidence in him as a quarterback than I have had previously, and I was at that game two years ago when he started against the Eagles, and beat them.

Jalen Milroe came out of college last Winter an extremely raw looking passer. His season started out promising at Alabama but it absolutely collapsed on him down the last stretch of games when his passing mechanics completely abandoned him. It was so bad that it was actually quite shocking that he declared for the draft, and when he was at the Senior Bowl practicing in front of NFL scouts and GMs, he looked terrible as a passer. Like, really rough, don’t draft him until the fifth round type of stuff. He didn’t look that much better weeks later at the NFL scouting combine. When Seattle drafted him in the third round, my immediate thought wasn’t that we just took our next Russell Wilson, it was that we just gave Klint Kubiak his new version of Taysom Hill.

Even though Milroe has made huge leaps forward through OTAs and preseason training camp as a passer under the tutelage of Janocko and Kubiak, I still see Taysom as his floor (which, in my view, is a good floor), but I also see Jalen Hurts as a fairly realistic ceiling for him. I think in a run heavy offense, a savvy coordinator can get by with Milroe as a good duo threat quarterback if he continues to develop as a passer, but he will have to be further developed.

Right now, I think he is appropriately Seattle’s third quarterback in this system. Kubiak’s scheme is QB friendly but it requires nuance with timing and rhythm to truly get into the playbook, and for as much as fans want to be excited about Milroe, I think the other two quarterbacks are a lot more ahead of the curb than he is.

When Milroe gets into the game, Kubiak shifts into more shotgun run pass option stuff that the youngster is clearly more comfortable with, but in that, it sorta also takes away from the window stressing stuff that this Kubiak/Shanahan style offense is known for. In a nutshell, for as much as I can future trip and get excited about Milroe, I am dubious to fully buy into the Kubiak scheme being ideal for him, but time will ultimately be the teller.

The guy who I do believe is potentially an ideal fit for Kubiak continues to be Sam Darnold, and the opening drive of the offense in this game did nothing to dissuade my belief in him. It was one drive that was run heavy with only four passes for 34 yards, but Darnold was so smooth and decisive in his execution of those plays that it had me doubling down in my buy into him. I think a run centric play action offense is the perfect system for Sam Darnold to function in. He is tailor made for it. In this one series, I saw the same exact Sam who came into Lumen Field last December and confidently out dueled Geno Smith for a big time win for the Vikings when both teams needed that win for the playoffs and division titles.

Behind the scenes of the VMAC, it also feels like there is growing internal buy into Sam from current players, former players, and current coaches. Veteran leaders like defensive tackle Jarran Reed are talking about how excited they are to play with him. Mike Macdonald is stating how much of a pain in the ass it is to call the defense against him now because of how decisive he has become. Jaxson Smith Njigba recently commented about how he would rather play with a quarterback like Darnold who can throw with anticipation and have the ball out before he breaks on his routes.

Media members and fans can remain as skeptical as they want to, but in the last week, we had two appearances of Sam on Marshawn Lynch’s and Mike Robinson’s Get Got podcast, and Richard Sherman’s podcast, as well, and all three Super Bowl champs seem genuinely impressed with him. Sherman, in particular, who can be blunt in his criticism of the Seahawks, at times, seemed impressed as he vibed with Darnold talking X’s and O’s in this Shanahan style scheme. I am here to tell you now that Darnold does not go onto these popular podcasts if the hosts of them aren’t impressed in what they see and sense out of him.

For me, I think this all bodes well for the Seahawks moving forward. Time will tell if they have their franchise quarterback already rostered. I’m optimistic. I see good coaching happening. I see positive potential in each of these guys. I see them taking to this system. I’m excited to see what unfolds.

The Seahawk running back room is talented and deep

I love what I am seeing out of George Holani through two games. Heading into preseason, he was a total afterthought in my mind in a crowded running back room. I had bought into the draft hype of Damien Martinez, I was a Kenny McIntosh believer, and I loved the two headed monster of Zach Charbonnet and Ken Walker.

It is two preseason games with a much more productive run blocking offensive line, but it appears like George Holani is potentially a great fit for this outside zone blocking scheme that Kubiak wants to set the tone with, and build off of. Like, he just gets it, without hesitation gets it.

This scheme is known for producing a lot of quality looking running backs. Last night, it looked like Charbonnet could be a monster featured back in this offense running with speed, power, and decisiveness. Holani, on the other hand, looks like someone, at the very least, could be a quality change of pace relief runner who could probably handle some starting duties, if needed.

Martinez ran fine last night, much better than a week ago against the Raiders, but undrafted Jacardia Wright is pushing him for potentially that fourth running back spot on the roster. Wright has a physical sudden style that continues to impress and make plays. It would not stun me if he surprises and makes this roster.

This leaves me to Ken Walker, who we have not seen, nor will we in the preseason. I think he will be a part of this thing this year, but I am unsure of he will be the starter, and there is at least some outside chance that I am wondering if Seattle would be willing to include him in some sort of splash trade for maybe some sort of dominant edge rusher. My guess is not, but it is an interesting thought considering the depth and production we have seen through two games.

Seattle has a badass fullback situation brewing and I am here for it!

I cannot say enough about the fullback usage in this offense, and the impact rookie Robbie Ouzts appears destined to have on this offense both as lead blocker and pass catcher out of the backfield. Two preseason games in a row that he catches the pass out in the flat and charges upfield with bad intentions on tacklers. I’ve very quickly become a huge Ouzts fan, and I like what Brady Russell is doing in fullback duties, as well. I can easily see a scenario where both players are kept and Russell pulls double duty at a fullback/tight end in this scheme.

But I am severely tempted to make Robbie Ouzts my next player jersey that I purchase.

Jake Bobo is making this team and they will be better for it!

JSN will probably be the new face of the franchise at the end of this year, and I am incredibly high on rookie Tory Horton. I think Cooper Kupp will have a solid impact as a player and leader, and will provide a solid chain moving target for Darnold to look towards. I also like what I am seeing out of Dareke Young, finally.

That said, I don’t see a scenario where this team parts ways with Jake Bobo. He provides too much value in terms of impact as a blocker, team chemistry, special teams, and I think his route running prowess perfectly suits the Kubiak thing. I also think he could be a very positive red zone target for Darnold this year. I am saying this now, and putting myself out there a bit because this seems to be said annually, but I truly believe this is the year that we see More Jake Bobo in this offense. I think Cooper Kupp is going to have a positive effect on him, and we will see him pop more on Sundays, in result.

I think the bigger question is if this team carries Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or if Dareke Young surprisingly beats him out for the fifth and potentially final roster spot for receivers.

This defense is going to be a badass unit this year, no question about it

Through two preseason games, we are not seeing star defensive linemen Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawerence or Jarran Reed. Mike Macdonald sees no reason to play them. That is a really good sign.

We are seeing starting middle linebackers out there, and safeties. Our young duo edge rushers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall played some, and we got to see more of hybrid player Nick Emmanwori. Riq Woolen was out there for a bit at corner, and had decent pass defense. On the whole, nothing really wowed with these guys, but the scheme was kept noticeably simple, and the fundamentals of good tackling felt present.

The depth of defensive tackle feels really good with Brandon Pili and Quinton Bohanna, and this level of depth is perhaps one of the sneakier reasons why I have great confidence in Seattle’s defense this year. Having great DT depth allows Macdonald to move Leo Williams around more between DT and DE, and Mike Morris can mimic that. We could see Byron Murphy less at the nose tackle position and more at three technique where his natural athleticism can be more on display.

Having great DT depth allows your middle linebackers to make more plays, as well as safeties and edge defenders. For years, I have been pleading for Seattle to invest more at DT, and it feels like Macdonald sees the virtues of this with his defense.

Right now, I won’t lie and say the middle linebacker depth doesn’t concern me, maybe Seattle doesn’t need bit more at edge rusher. But I really think that the hallmark of most great defenses really needs to start up front in the gabs between center and guard and guard and tackle. This is where I think Seattle is potentially very, very good.

There could be more pieces of the defensive puzzle added before we get into real season games, and my guess is that there likely will, but these DTs got me feeling pretty damn good about life. I think we are one Jadeveon Clowney reunion away from having a sickly talented defense front. This is kind of the move I expect Seattle to make to round it out before week one. We shall see.

Closing thoughts

Yes, it is just preseason.

Yes there is a potential that Sam Darnold might turn into a pumpkin at some point.

Yes, the injury bugs could occur on defense and on the offensive line that could derail the Seahawks 2025 season.

We could also be struck by as massive asteroid in a few years and 80 percent of all animal life could all die off because of it.

You could also board a plane to Disneyland and the plane could crash and you could perish because of safety regulations slipping with air traffic controllers.

A new virus could hit us in a few years and the lack of federal dollars going to infectious research could catch us with our pants down, and lots of Americans could die in result.

You could be taking your family out to dinner next week, and be shot in public because of all the guns on the streets and lack of police numbers.

All of this bad shit could happen. All of it.

But since the dawn of time, there has been and always will be two different mindsets in life. There are those who will see life with optimism, and those who will not.

In my diehard Seahawk fandom, I will almost always see reasons for optimism, so take that for whatever it is. That said, I see more reasons for optimism this year than I have seen for many years in that past.

I don’t really care if Mike Florio doesn’t believe in Sam Darnold, and neither does former beat writer now national guy Shiel Kapadia, or local beat writer Michael Shawn-Dugar. It is fine. Hang your hat on whatever you choose to believe.

For me, I like the direction of this team. I dig what it wants to be, and what it thinks it can get out of the pieces. I love the clear vision.

Play good defense, and run the damn ball.

This is what I want Seattle Seahawks to always be about, and if you want this too, I do not know how you watched that game last night and were not excited about what you saw.

Go Hawks!