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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
The Seattle Seahawks beat the Cleveland Browns by a score of 37-33 in a rare preseason shootout. Although the scoring onslaught undoubtedly made for an entertaining day for fans in the stadium, most of our attention came and went after Seattle’s first drive. Geno Smith got the start and marched the team down the field, completing 4-of-5 passes for 62 yards and a 21-yard touchdown to DK Metcalf. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the other centerpiece of the opening drive, catching both targets for 32 yards, including a 25-yarder. Secure in the No. 2 role, Sam Howell played for a few drives before giving way to P.J. Walker. Walker will likely head to the practice squad if he doesn’t find an opportunity on another roster.
In a brief sideline interview, Smith was beaming with confidence, noting how excited he was by the new scheme, players, coaches, and energy. Although it’s dangerous to draw too many conclusions about schemes in the preseason, the Seahawks are among the fastest-paced units this preseason under coordinator Ryan Grubb, after running the fewest plays per game last season.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Neither Kenneth Walker nor Zach Charbonnet played in the preseason finale, giving Kenny McIntosh and rookie George Holani ample opportunity to stake their claim on the No. 3 job. Both running backs showed well, making it likely both will make the initial 53-man roster. McIntosh, who almost certainly held onto his lead for the No. 3 job, needed just two plays to cement his position. He broke a 56-yard touchdown run and also caught a nine-yard reception. Holani also had a nine-yard reception and ran seven times for 38 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Coach Macdonald praised both: “I thought they both played really well. George didn't have the flashy run, but he had some tough good runs to get back to the line of scrimmage and get some positive yards. I think both made plays on special teams. Two really good players. Kenny McIntosh has been another example of a guy that's been working really, really hard. So for him to have an opportunity to make such a great play, I'm just really happy for him. Just really happy for where he's at. Just proud of him."
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
All eyes have been on how the team plans to mix and match DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The reality is all three, if healthy, should play significant roles, but fantasy managers are desperate for evidence that Smith-Njigba is ready to break out after an uneven rookie campaign. The preseason finale didn’t answer all the questions, as Lockett didn’t play. However, Metcalf and Smith-Njigba showcased their big-play potential in the opening drive. Metcalf had a 21-yard touchdown reception, and Smith-Njigba caught two passes for 32 yards.
Dee Eskridge’s tenure in Seattle hasn’t gone according to plan, but his electric 79-yard punt return touchdown against the Browns has many predicting he’ll make the 53-man roster. However, one play shouldn’t define a player’s future, good or bad. Metcalf, Smith-Njigba, Lockett, Jake Bobo, and Laviska Shenault Jr. are locks, meaning Eskridge will have to either beat out Dareke Young or force the team to keep seven receivers; neither seems likely.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Neither starter Noah Fant nor No. 2 tight end Pharoah Brown played in the finale, with Brady Russell getting the start. Russell and rookie A.J. Barner are vying for the third spot, and were it not for Barner’s rookie contract and draft capital, it wouldn’t be much of a contest. Russell has been the more consistent contributor this summer. Given Brown’s uncertainty for Week 1 after a foot injury last week, expect the team to keep both Barner and Russell on the roster.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Uchenna Nwosu’s knee injury overshadowed an encouraging preseason finale. The team’s most important defensive player went down after just a handful of plays, and neither he nor the coaches would elaborate on the significance of the injury pending further tests. If the injury proves serious, it’ll be a significant setback for a unit expected to play well under Macdonald’s guidance.
In other roster news, the team traded away two defenders in the past week. With cornerback depth being a strength, Seattle sent Michael Jackson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for linebacker Michael Barrett. The team then sent linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round draft pick. Taylor had 21.5 sacks in three seasons as a rotational edge rusher, and one has to wonder if the front office regrets the move with Nwosu hurt. Either way, shipping off Taylor means the entire 2022 draft class is no longer with the team.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Laviska Shenault, Dee Williams, Dee Eskridge, Tre Brown, and Easop Winston Jr. all received reps as returners for the Seahawks. Shenault and Tre Brown are the most likely to make the final roster of the five.
Updates from Week 3
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
The Seahawks have given us little to work with so far in the preseason, opting to sit most of their key players again against the Titans. Geno Smith, who has been having a good camp, apparently approached the team about a new contract extension. He’s seen the quarterback market reset much higher since he signed a three-year contract. While there’s been no public indication of whether the team is open to a new deal, Smith posted a mercurial social media post last week indicating that he’s unhappy and could be gone. He quickly removed the post, but not before onlookers captured it for posterity.
Sam Howell is what’s known as a gamer. He’s had an undeniably lousy training camp and far more frustrating sessions than encouraging ones, but he looked sharp starting in Smith’s place against the Titans. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown while running for 11 yards. Howell wasn’t overly confident following the game, noting, “"I thought it was pretty solid. Would have liked to finish that drive, I think it was kind of in the middle of the second quarter, with a touchdown. But for the most part, I thought it was pretty solid. Would have liked to score a few more points, but that is the only thing I would say."
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet were given the night off against Tennessee, allowing Kenny McIntosh to put on a show for the second consecutive week. He ran eight times for 46 yards and caught two passes for 17 yards. At this point, it would be shocking if he didn’t make the 53-man roster as the No. 3 tailback. Rookie George Holani looks worthy of a roster spot, too, but will the team keep four backs on the roster?
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
There aren’t many, if any, teams with a deeper receiving corps. The trio of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is well documented and could be in line for more production given new coordinator Ryan Grubb’s willingness to feature Smith-Njigba this summer far more than we saw in 2023 under Shane Waldron. Jake Bobo is making a ton of plays in camp, too, and justifiably warrants usage in the regular season beyond occasional four-receiver sets. Veteran Laviska Shenaut rounds out the group adding value as an experienced safety valve on offense and a key contributor on special teams. Earlier in the week, during joint practices, Geno Smith constantly targeted Metcalf and Smith-Njigba (Tyler Lockett missed practice with a minor injury). Smith also took the opportunity to sing Smith-Njigba’s praises: “I just love the way JSN works. Jaxon, he’s prepared every single day. In the offseason, he was hitting me up, we flew down to Miami and got a lot of one-on-one work. When this stuff happens on the field, it’s just a result of all the work we put in and all the hard work that he’s put in. To see him continue to grow and blossom, that’s awesome.”
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown were held out of the Titans game, leaving A.J. Barner (12 snaps), Brady Russell (12 snaps), and Tyler Mabry (10 snaps) to rotate with the starters. Russell led the group with two receptions for 22 yards,
Preseason Updates: Defense
SBNation’s Tyler Alsin views the cornerback group as the team’s No. 1 strength: “2022 Woolen plus 2023 Devon Witherspoon makes this Seattle’s only position group legitimately capable of having two Pro-Bowl players. All-Pro is attainable for each of them. Additionally, the guys behind those two are no slouches, either. Tre Brown, Michael Jackson, Artie Burns, and two new draft picks, are you kidding me? Best at the top, deepest overall, corner has become the team’s greatest strength once again.” The linebacker group is a question mark, particularly on the inside. Rookie Tyrice Knight is playing a lot in Jerome Baker’s stead but has a steep learning curve. Head coach Mike Macdonald reminded everyone Knight needs time to develop: “Very pleased with the tackles,” Macdonald said. “Time to step it to the next level communication-wise, blitz, coverage, play recognition. It’s almost like, ‘Hey man, you’re not a rookie anymore; you’ve got to grow up fast, you’ve got to be ready to go if your number is called. Let’s go, man, let’s not be settled with making tackles in the preseason.'”
Preseason Updates: Offensive Lines
The Seahawks' promising talent is at tackle, where left tackle Charles Cross and right tackle Abraham Lucas are ascending pass protectors. Unfortunately, Lucas has been on PUP all preseason, rehabbing from an offseason knee procedure. The team believes Lucas will be ready for Week 1. Veteran George Fant (Houston) has been taking his snaps. The team brought in two other veterans in left guard Laken Tomlinson (Jets) and center Connor Williams (Dolphins). Rookie Christian Haynes (Round 3, UConn) has been impressive and is pushing hard for a job. This group has an upside, but they currently rank 24th overall.
Updates from Week 2
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
The knee and hip injuries that caused concern last week turned out to be a false alarm, as Geno Smith returned to practice on Monday. Sam Howell has been inconsistent, sparking more debate about whether Howell can hold off P.J. Walker for the No. 2 job rather than challenging Smith for the starting position. The preseason game against Los Angeles strongly favors Howell as the No. 2. Not only did he get the start, but he also avoided major mistakes, completing 16 of 27 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown and running for 17 yards on four carries. Walker was far less effective, completing 4 of 10 passes for 61 yards.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Ken Walker III sat out the Chargers game, along with the other established offensive starters. Zach Charbonnet played only on the first drive, confirming that his role as Walker’s backup and a key contributor remains intact. A spirited battle is underway for the No. 3 spot between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani. McIntosh was the next man up after Charbonnet sat and led the team with 40 yards on eight carries. Holani alternated with McIntosh and also performed well, gaining 24 yards on six carries, including an 11-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Before the game, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb assessed the team's progress in installing his offense. “We’re close. We’re probably 70 to 80% there,” he said. “I feel like the bones of everything we need to do are there…So now, there’s some fine-tuning that still has to happen—some late-game mechanics, situational football, things like that, that we have to continue to build.”
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba wasn’t a fan of former coordinator Shane Waldron’s offense, so it’s understandable that he’s excited about the transition to Ryan Grubb. Unfortunately, the first preseason game against the Chargers suggests Smith-Njigba remains the team’s No. 3 receiver. Seattle sat all its key offensive starters, including Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and Kenneth Walker, and only played backup running back Zach Charbonnet on the first drive. Yet, Smith-Njigba played 22 snaps with Sam Howell. This doesn’t mean Smith-Njigba won’t earn a more significant role, but the hope that he would immediately be on equal footing with the veterans appears misguided. Jake Bobo is solidly locked in as the No. 4 receiver and has frequently practiced with the first-team offense this summer. Lee Vowell of 12th Man Rising believes Laviska Shenault cemented a roster spot against the Chargers thanks to his value as a returner.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Noah Fant is also a believer in Ryan Grubb’s offense, citing the playbook's versatility and Grubb’s ability to design plays that capitalize on players’ individual skills while avoiding putting them in difficult positions. Fant had an injury scare last week, leaving practice with an apparent foot injury. Fortunately, according to Coach Macdonald, he should be back at practice this week.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The Athletic’s Michael Shawn-Dugar provides an excellent breakdown of how coach Mike Macdonald is building the defense. One of Macdonald’s signatures is rotating the defensive front, including moving smaller edge rushers inside while shifting the bigger guys to the edge. Everything is aimed at confusing the offense at the line of scrimmage. He also believes in bringing blitz pressure from every defender on the field. Another significant difference from Pete Carroll’s approach is allowing the cornerbacks to follow receivers. Carroll kept his corners on one side of the field regardless of the matchup; Macdonald plans to do the opposite. The starters played against the Chargers' backup offense and dominated, as they should have. Los Angeles managed just seven yards on two 3-and-outs before Seattle called off the hounds.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Laviska Shenault, Dee Williams, Dee Eskridge, Tre Brown, and Easop Winston Jr. have all received reps at returner. While any of the five could play a significant role, Eskridge and Shenault are currently the top candidates.
Updates from Week 1
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Geno Smith has missed a few practices due to knee and hip injuries, but neither is considered serious, and he should return soon. Head coach Mike Macdonald expressed optimism about Smith's recovery, saying, “I think he’s good. We’re still going through that process, but it looks optimistic.” In Smith's absence, neither Sam Howell nor P.J. Walker has performed well, making Smith's quick return crucial for acclimating to new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb's system. Beat writer Gregg Bell noted, “After nine practices of Seahawks training camp, including the last three as QB1 with Geno Smith out injured (knee, hip), Sam Howell's accuracy remains inconsistent, with solid throws followed by significant overthrows by 5+ yards.” Despite his injury, Smith praised Grubb's system and expressed a desire to run more this season, saying, "Midway through last season, I felt I could have used my legs more. That's something I want to continue doing. I'm still very athletic. I play within the pocket—that's the base of my game—but I think I could add an extra element to what defenses have to account for if I get a couple of extra first downs or a couple of extra touchdowns."
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
With padded practices just beginning, the running backs haven't had many opportunities to showcase their skills. While there was speculation that Zach Charbonnet might challenge Ken Walker III's position, it appears Walker is poised for a career-best season. Coach Macdonald remarked, "Every time we review the roster, [RB Coach] Kennedy [Polamalu] hints, 'Let's feed this guy [Walker], he can be special.'" Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, during his recent camp visit, noted, “Ken Walker III was the star of Monday’s practice, the first one in full pads, reflecting the impressive spring and summer he’s had. The new staff sees him as a back you can rely on for all three downs and build a running game around.”
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
There’s no mystery atop the depth chart, as DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are locked in as the starters. Mike Bobo appears to have a sizeable lead for the No. 4 role, but the final spot(s) are wide open, with journeyman Laviska Shenault, incumbent Dee Eskridge, and long shots Cody White and Hayden Hatten all vying for roles. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Smith-Njigba will overtake Lockett as the No. 2 this season, with Metcalf remaining Smith’s premier target. Fowler said: “Ordering the Seahawks receivers is tricky because Tyler Lockett's savvy, even as he turns 32 in September, will keep him relevant. But it seems like Smith-Njigba will be, at the very least, the No. 2 option behind DK Metcalf. When I asked Smith whom he throws to on key third downs, he said whoever is open but conceded that Metcalf in any one-on-one matchup is hard to ignore as a first option. But Smith-Njigba has made 'tremendous play after tremendous play,' Smith said.”
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
Although Noah Fant played the most snaps (55%) last season, Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron loved mixing and matching their tight ends, with both Colby Parkinson (47%) and Will Dissly (36%) also playing significant roles. This season should be different as both Parkinson (Rams) and Dissly (Chargers) have left, and veteran Pharoah Brown—primarily a blocker—has signed as the No. 2. Seattle re-signed Fant and gave him $11.5 million guaranteed, suggesting he will be more involved in the offense.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Julian Love, signed as insurance for a recovering Jamal Adams last season, ended up starting most of the season and earning Pro Bowl honors. The front office rewarded Love with a new three-year, $36 million extension this week, ensuring he’ll remain a key fixture in Mike Macdonald’s new defense. The drum beats are strong for edge rusher Boye Mafe. Although he had nine sacks last year, it was a tale of two halves; he only had 2.5 sacks over the final eight games. Mafe believes Macdonald’s system will help him become a more well-rounded contributor: “The biggest thing that I love about this defense is you can do so many different things in one spot. It doesn’t matter where you are on the field, your assignment can always move, and your responsibility can always be different. So to me, I think that’s the beauty of it is that you’re not doing one job and one job only.”
