Julian Love has turned into one of the defining pieces of the Seahawks’ 2-0 start, and the case for a new deal is getting harder to ignore.
He has picked off a pass in every game this season, which is already a strong headline on its own. But the interception total only tells part of the story. Love has been doing the quieter work that makes a defense function: talking to teammates, adjusting the scheme on the fly, and helping hold together a Seattle secondary that has looked sharp through two weeks.
That kind of presence matters in Mike Macdonald’s defense. Love has become a central figure in the back end, and the way he has handled the job has put him firmly among the Seahawks’ most important players. The word around the team’s future with him is simple enough: an extension is likely coming, and soon.
Seattle’s 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals only added to the growing list of reasons to keep him around. The Seahawks looked dominant in that divisional victory, and Love’s role in that success fit the broader picture of a defense that has been flying around and making life miserable for opposing offenses.
The Seahawks’ defensive backfield has also had other names worth watching. Nick Emmanwori went from questionable on Friday to playing on Sunday in the win over Arizona, another sign of how much Seattle asked from its secondary in the game. Meanwhile, the team’s overall defensive performance kept the focus on how well this group has been operating early in the season.
Love’s impact has not gone unnoticed elsewhere in the Seahawks coverage either. One report labeled him part of the team’s “unexpendables,” while another made the case that Seattle should extend him as soon as possible, even if that urgency might not have felt quite the same a couple weeks ago.
The Seahawks’ strong start has also come with bigger questions elsewhere on the roster, especially at quarterback. Sam Darnold is set to return to practice Wednesday after missing most of the first two games with a glute injury, and there is still discussion about whether he should be back for Week 4 against the Chargers or Week 5 against the 49ers. Coach Mike Macdonald said Monday that Darnold will practice this week, and the timing of his return remains part of the conversation.
Still, the most steadying force in Seattle’s early-season run may be on defense. Love has been more than a ballhawk. He’s been a communicator, a stabilizer, and a player the Seahawks can lean on when the game starts moving fast.
For a team off to a 2-0 start, that kind of reliability is priceless.
In Other News...
Seahawks Get An Early Injury Warning On Key Offensive Pieces
The Seahawks got an early look at the health of a few important names this week, and the injury report already carries some weight for a team trying to settle in on offense. Zach Charbonnet will not practice, while Nick Emmanwori was a full participant and Sam Darnold was limited, giving Seattle a mixed update on pieces that matter as the game plan starts to take shape.
Seattle was not alone in dealing with absences, either, as Washingtons report also featured multiple non-participants and limited players, leaving the Commanders with some key starters in doubt for the upcoming matchup. For the Seahawks, the bigger concern is less about the names already on the report and more about how much more the list might grow before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Fans Already Have One Worry About Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheeds start in Seattle has been quiet enough that its already stirring concern among Seahawks fans, especially for a player brought back on a three-year contract with expectations beyond just being another piece in the rotation. Through the first two games, he has managed only four receptions on nine targets for 39 yards, and the early returns have done little to ease questions about whether he can be counted on as a true No. 2 option.
The worry is not only about the passing game, either. Shaheed has had some issues on special teams too, including a fumble that was recovered by a teammate, which only adds to the sense that his role has not yet settled in cleanly. With Seattle already dealing with offensive strain because of quarterback injuries, backup Drew Lock has at least given the team something workable under center, but Shaheed still has to show he can make a more consistent impact. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Face A Drew Lock Decision They May Not Afford
Drew Lock has given the Seahawks exactly the kind of insurance they hoped for behind Sam Darnold, stepping into limited starts during Darnolds injury absence and helping Seattle stay unbeaten in those games. After spending the offseason keeping Lock as the No. 2 quarterback, the team has seen the value of having a backup who can keep the offense afloat without forcing a major adjustment to the game plan.
Now the challenge is whether Seattle can afford to keep him if outside interest starts building, particularly with the Giants looming as a possible suitor after Jaxson Darts season-ending injury. The Seahawks have every reason to listen if the market gets loud, but moving Lock would leave them one setback away from scrambling at the most important position on the field. [Read more 🡒]