The Seahawks are getting closer to locking down the edges of their roster, and Sunday’s preseason meeting with the Tennessee Titans should clear up a few of the remaining questions. Seattle opened the exhibition slate with a 17-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and now has another chance to clean up the rust before turning its attention to a season opener that doubles as a Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots.
Most of the core pieces are already set for Mike Macdonald, but a few jobs are still there for the taking. A strong showing against Tennessee could settle more than one of those debates in a hurry.
At cornerback, the No. 3 spot remains unsettled behind Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe. The Seahawks have clearly not been satisfied with the room, given their interest in Trevon Diggs and even Terrion Arnold.
That leaves Nehemiah Pritchett, Julian Neal and Noah Igbinoghene fighting for the job. Igbinoghene has bounced around despite solid camps in the past, while Neal came into the league as a rookie with a raw reputation.
Pritchett, meanwhile, has been "ballin" so far and looks ready to make a Year 3 jump.
Safety is another spot worth watching, even if Ty Okada appears to have the edge. Seattle used a second-round pick on Bud Clark, whose aggressive style raised some concerns, but Okada’s experience in Macdonald's notroiously complex defense gives him the inside track.
Clark could still grow into the role, but for now this looks like Okada’s job to lose. Winner: Ty Okada
The backup quarterback battle is also getting more interesting. Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe are both working under a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury, which means they’re effectively starting over.
Lock was the backup last season, but the Seahawks probably didn’t spend a Top 100 pick on Milroe to keep him on the sideline every week. Milroe got off to a slow start, but his processing has reportedly improved, and his legs could make him especially appealing if he stays calmer and more controlled in the pocket.
Then there’s running back, where the Seahawks have a clear issue to sort out while Zach Charbonnet recovers from his injury. George Holani has already been listed as the starter, but Seattle selected Jadarian Price in the first round with the idea that he could provide an immediate impact.
Sunday’s game against Tennessee could offer the best look yet at how far Price has come if he is healthy. The Seahawks are hoping he looks far more like a Kenneth Walker III type who can change the scope of the ground game than a CJ Prosise case.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Have A WR5 Problem They Didn't Expect
Jake Bobo was in line to be Seattles fifth receiver this season, a useful depth piece coming off a two-year contract extension signed earlier this year. Instead, a knee injury during a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans has changed the picture quickly, with head coach Mike Macdonald calling it serious and potentially long-term.
The Seahawks now have to sort through other wideouts to fill that WR5 role while Bobo begins his recovery. For a roster that had already penciled him into a specific spot, it is an unexpected hit to receiver depth and a reminder that the back end of the depth chart can become a real issue in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Entering A New Offensive Era With One Big Reason For Hope
Grey Zabel is already sounding like one of the early believers in Seattles new offensive direction, and that matters for a team trying to reset after a major change on the sideline. Brian Fleury is taking over in his first season as offensive coordinator after stops with the 49ers, Bills and Browns, and the Seahawks are asking a new voice to keep the unit moving after Klint Kubiaks run ended with a Super Bowl title and a move to Las Vegas.
For Zabel, the confidence seems to start with the way Fleury is being received inside the building, where a fresh system can either settle quickly or take longer to click. Seattle has every reason to want a smooth transition, because the bar was already raised by the success that came before, and the first signs of buy-in from a veteran voice like Zabel suggest the Seahawks may not be starting from scratch after all. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Face A Jake Bobo Problem They Didnt Expect
Jake Bobos re-signed status made him one of the quieter but more useful parts of the Seahawks receiver room, the kind of player coaches appreciate even when he is not grabbing headlines. He brought value beyond the box score, with a reputation for steady special teams work and a locker room presence that fit well in Seattle as training camp moved along.
Now the Seahawks are dealing with a much different reality after head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Bobo suffered a serious knee injury that could linger well beyond this season. It creates an unexpected opening in camp and the preseason, with other receivers suddenly getting a clearer path to make their case while Seattle waits to see how long Bobos absence lasts. [Read more 🡒]