Sam Darnold, however, already proved last season that he can be the franchise quarterback Seattle envisioned. With Darnold leading the offense and a defense capable of carrying the team through difficult games, the Seahawks believe they have a legitimate chance to make another deep playoff run.

That is precisely why Darnold will not be playing today against the Tennessee Titans. Head coach Mike Macdonald has little reason to expose his starting quarterback to unnecessary preseason contact, particularly with the regular season approaching and the Seahawks opening their campaign earlier than most teams.

Why isn’t Sam Darnold playing against the Titans?

Sam Darnold’s absence is a precautionary decision. The Seahawks already know what they have in their starting quarterback, so there is little to gain from giving him additional preseason snaps and plenty to lose if he were to suffer an injury.

Seattle’s quarterback room also appears much more settled than those of several other NFL teams. Darnold is firmly established as the starter, meaning the preseason is primarily about evaluating the players behind him rather than determining who will lead the offense when the games count.

The timing makes the decision even more understandable. The Seahawks will open the regular season on September 9 against the New England Patriots, giving Macdonald another reason to prioritize Darnold’s health and preparation over preseason reps.

Who is starting quarterback today for Seahawks vs Titans?

With Sam Darnold sitting out, Drew Lock is expected to start at quarterback against Tennessee. Lock should receive several series as the Seahawks give their veteran backup an opportunity to run the offense in live-game conditions.

After Lock’s work is complete, Jalen Milroe could take over. Milroe is one of the most intriguing young players on Seattle’s roster and will use the preseason to continue developing behind Darnold.

The matchup therefore gives the Seahawks a chance to evaluate their depth without putting their most important offensive player at unnecessary risk. Lock’s experience and Milroe’s upside offer Seattle two very different options behind Darnold.

Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 reported that Mike Macdonald said “Sam’s not going to play” vs. the Cowboys. Not only that, but Macdonald also confirmed who will start. “Drew [Lock] will start the game, and then Jalen will come in, and they’ll rotate to some degree.” Sam Darnold is now a valuable asset.

Not only Darnold, but newly-drafted rookie Jadarian Price won’t play so the running back room will also rotate. Hence, plenty of the Seattle Seahawks who won the Super Bowl will rest.

Is Dak Prescott playing for Cowboys vs Seahawks?

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also stated that no Cowboys starters will be playing vs Seahawks. Meaning, Dak Prescott won’t see any action in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL Preseason.

Joe Milton III and Sam Howell are going to be splitting reps throughout the majority of the preseason. Milton and Howell are both known for their strong arms, so the offense will be explosive.

Both offenses have to prove stuff

Seattle lost its offensive coordinator and their best running back. Hence, the team needs to prove the offense won’t suffer any setbacks. Of course, during preseason, most starters won’t be playing, so it will have to wait until regular season.

As for Dallas, when Prescott plays, paired with weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens should be as explosive as ever. After all, they are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the NFL. The offense, however, must prove it can go all the way.

“It feels like a revamp, a new energy in the building, honestly,” he said via the team’s official website. “It feels good to put the past behind us and really focus on the future. On right now in front of us, that’s attacking training camp, and I can just tell by the vibe of the guys, talking to them in the locker room, we’re ready for that. We’re ready for the next thing. It’s awesome to be here now.”

Despite Kenneth Walker III’s departure to the Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Macdonald was able to retain key players such as JSN, as well as Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. It will be time to see, once the ball hits the gridiron, whether this team has everything required to achieve back-to-back titles.

Thinking ahead: The Seahawks’ message

Mike Macdonald is determined to keep his team competitive and focused on the upcoming season. Dwelling too much on past accomplishments does little to help a team achieve its goal of winning again. Cooper Kupp, one of the most experienced players on the roster, understands the importance of continuing to look ahead.

“The league moves on, just like life,” Kupp said. “Things happen, and shoot, the clock keeps ticking, life keeps moving forward. You’ve got to be able to adapt and move, and it’s the same way with football. Football keeps going, keeps growing, keeps changing, and you can’t be complacent.

“If you get stuck celebrating for too long, you’re going to be in trouble. Guys have done a great job of really just moving on. At the end of the day, it’s, what can you learn from last year? How does it apply to this year? Let’s take it and make it come to life.”

Sam Darnold’s offensive weapons

Sam Darnold managed to keep his two primary receiving weapons, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, while Rashid Shaheed rounds out the receiving corps as another key target.

In the backfield, despite his injury, Zach Charbonnet remains the top option although he is expected to miss at least a portion of the season. Seattle also added two more offensive players in the latest NFL Draft: Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Jadarian Price.

The first steps toward defending the title

The Seattle Seahawks will be looking to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles, something that is extremely difficult to accomplish in the NFL. To do so, getting off to a strong start in the 2026 season will be crucial.

• Week 1, vs New England Patriots
• Week 2, at Arizona Cardinals
• Week 3, at Washington Commanders
• Week 4, vs Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 5, vs San Francisco 49ers

According to insider Mike Garafolo via his X account, the opponent for Sam Darnold‘s Seahawks will come from these four candidates: the Arizona Cardinals, the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Chicago Bears.

For the second time in NFL history, the season will begin on a Wednesday, in this case on September 9. An international game led to this change in the schedule.

The Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers will play a game in Australia for the first time, a country with a 14-hour time difference compared to the U.S. West Coast. The matchup will take place on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET for viewers in the United States.

Seahawks will look to achieve a back-to-back title

Retaining the title and winning another Super Bowl is the main goal for the Seattle Seahawks. The task will not be easy due to the tough schedule ahead. They will host difficult opponents such as the Kansas City Chiefs, the New England Patriots, as well as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Traveling will also be far from easy for Mike Macdonald’s team. In addition to its divisional matchups, it will have to visit Mile High Stadium to face the Denver Broncos, battle the Philadelphia Eagles on the road, and also take on a revamped Las Vegas Raiders.

Seattle Seahawks head into their second season opener as reigning champions

The 2014 NFL season kicked off on September 4 with a high-stakes matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers. For the first time as the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks hosted the game and delivered a commanding performance, winning 36–16.

Led by Marshawn Lynch’s two rushing touchdowns and a relentless “Legion of Boom” defense, Seattle successfully began its title defense by shutting down one of the league’s most potent offenses in front of a record-breaking home crowd.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Seahawks would love to address Kenneth Walker’s exit in a unorthodox way. Walker joining the Chiefs left quite a hole in Seattle’s running game.

While the team addressed it by drafting running back Jadarian Price in the 2026 NFL Draft, the fact is that’s not the only alternative to get the running game going. Per Fowler, “The Seahawks have backfield depth and also hope to utilize dual-threat QB Jalen Milroe.”

Jalen Milroe is a highly-athletic QB

Milroe is a big body with explosive speed. We’ve seen previous teams use this strategy before. For instance, two years ago the Steelers did it with Justin Fields. The Saints have also done it with Taysom Hill.

Sam Darnold will still be the undoubted starter off the team, but he is a pure pocket passer, and his speed is not precisely one to dazzle anyone. Hence, everytime Milroe is on the field, pay attention to run-pass-options (RPOs) to either explode on the run, or launch his bazooka arm deep.

The Seahawks have other lesser weapons on the RB depth chart

The Seahawks will have Price as RB1, and Zach Charbonnet will come back from his injury at some point. Still, the Seahawks also brought in Emmanuel Wilson to join George Holani, Velus Jones Jr., Kenny McIntosh, and Jacardia Wright.

Their Super Bowl triumph came with a bittersweet footnote, as the Seahawks were aware that Charbonnet would require ACL surgery. The recovery timeline for the promising athlete hinges on how effectively his rehabilitation progresses. In light of this situation, Darnold’s teammate offered a heartfelt message regarding his procedure.

Zach Charbonnet shared a poignant Bible verse on Instagram: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you,” expressing a resolve to overcome his setback.

The injury occurred during the Seahawks’ NFC Divisional Round triumph over the San Francisco 49ers on January 17, 2026. Now, the Super Bowl champion faces a race against time to return stronger and reinforce his invaluable contributions to the Seahawks, who already signed multiple players to future contracts.

Darnold’s teammate eyes recovery timeline

Charbonnet underwent surgery nearly five weeks after the injury, a common delay designed to allow swelling to reduce. This postponement, however, affects his potential return. With the typical 9–12 month window for ACL rehabilitation, Charbonnet is poised to miss a significant portion of the 2026 season.

Nevertheless, there is optimism for an earlier-than-expected return. Charbonnet’s presence could provide much-needed depth in the latter stages of the season, offering the Seahawks a vital option in their quest to defend their title, a scenario fans are eagerly anticipating.

Seahawks contemplate next moves

With Charbonnet’s surgery behind him and his potential return slated for October or November, the Seahawks face additional uncertainty concerning another key player’s future in the NFL.

Star running back Kenneth Walker III, who claimed the Super Bowl LX MVP honors, is set to enter free agency in March. If Walker departs while Charbonnet continues rehabilitation, the Seahawks will be left with a void at the starting position as they approach the 2026 Draft.

One receiver already sent a message to the team, but Smith-Njigba’s message almost seems like a warning. Speaking to Jonah Javad of WFAA, JSN admitted he wants to be the highest-paid wideout in the NFL.

“I know my time is coming and when we get it done it’s gonna be a great deal. God’s timing is perfect timing… I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that’s worth a lot, lot more.” Smith-Njigba said. “I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don’t have to. I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

The Seahawks offense must remain untouched

The Seahawks lost Klint Kubiak to the Raiders already, so they will change offensive coordinator. However, it’s imperative for them to keep their offensive personnel as untouched as they can. With JSN knowing his contract is next, as well as running back Kenneth Walker III and WR Rashid Shaheed going into free agency. Hence, it’s go time for the Seahawks front office.

Sam Darnold is the only one under contract, at least for two more years. Hence, at least the quarterback is locked and loaded to run it back. Crucial days are coming for the Seahawks right now. After all, JSN, Walker, and Shaheed were all instrumental for the Seahawks win.

The Seahawks must take advantage of Darnold’s contract

Darnold is the 18th-highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Hence, that leaves the Seahawks with plenty of room to operate. That’s why they have the sixth-most cap space. Hence, the Seahawks must be eager and willing to spend the money if that means keeping their Super Bowl roster intact.

For WR/Returner Rashid Shaheed, coming back to Seattle is the priority. Shaheed appeared on The Insiders podcast and said what he wants. “Conversations are definitely going to be heating up towards March. But you know, I would love to come back. I loved my experience here, I’m loving the Pacific Northwest, and obviously the organization is second to none. I kind of want to run it back. We just won the Super Bowl, so, you know, why not?”

Shaheed was instrumental for the team’s success. Not only did he become the deep threat of the team and helped Sam Darnold, he also was stellar as a returner on special teams. Shaheed’s impact on the roster can’t be overstated.

The Seahawks should bring him back

The Seahawks have $62 million in salary cap space, which is the sixth-highest in the NFL. Bringing back Shaheed, who is not an expensive player, should be a priority. Shaheed earned Pro Bowl honors this year for his special teams’ output.

As a receiver, he had 59 catches for 687 yards and two touchdowns, which is a very nice output for a guy who is the third option in the depth chart. As a returner, he had 786 yards for two touchdowns. Hence, Shaheed ended with 1,542 all-purpose yards in 2025.

Shaheed was key for the Seahawks in must-win games

Shaheed turned the tide in Week 16 against the Rams. He housed a punt return that shifted the momentum of the game in Seattle’s favor, and then went to have a rush for 31 yards that almost killed the game. That pretty much sealed Seattle as the first seed in the NFC.

During the playoffs, he returned the opening kick all the way to the endzone and instantly put the 49ers in a world of trouble. It was a knockout blow in the first play of the game. In the Super Bowl, he had two receptions that ended in first downs for the Seahawks as well. The Seahawks really need him back as he is an absolute threat to opposing teams.

On the defensive side, Nick Emmanwori has had an outstanding rookie season, establishing himself as one of the key assets at his position. Even so, the safety knows he hasn’t reached his ceiling and will aim to keep improving in the upcoming season.

“It’s exciting for me because I can’t wait to go to the offseason and put the work in,” Emmanwori said recently on The Richard Sherman Podcast. “I know I’m just scratching the surface. I’m thinking of my prime, like how can I get to my prime?

“In my mind, this is just stuff that I’m putting together, but when I put everything together as far as the coverage and the pass rush and the playbook and just seeing the game, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

The pivotal moment before the Super Bowl

Although Emmanwori’s first NFL season was outstanding, it’s clear that one of the most important moments for the former South Carolina player came in the divisional matchup against Matthew Stafford’s Rams.

“That was definitely a cool moment. I just remember being in my zone that game. I was in the zone. … It was just natural,” he said. “Whatever’s in the scheme, whatever’s in the playbook, I would flawlessly kind of just adjust to it and I can just make those plays.

“So it was like, I’m guarding the running back, making the play, guarding Puka in the slot, like guarding Davante Adams. Setting the edge, getting off blocks. I was just really in the zone that game and we were just focused. It was just a different feeling.”

Once again led by Darnold

The Seattle Seahawks are looking to reclaim their spot at the top of the NFC with Sam Darnold leading the offense. By pairing Darnold’s veteran experience with their explosive young playmakers, the team aims to build a high-powered scoring unit capable of a deep postseason run. With a revamped strategy and a focus on consistency, Seattle is betting on this new partnership to guide them back to the Super Bowl.

Klint Kubiak and the Raiders will enter a new era as the coach tries to rebuild a dysfunctional organization. For the Seahawks, they want to remain as strong as possible to have back-to-back Super Bowl wins. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Seahawks will interview the San Francisco 49ers tight ends coach, Brian Fleury, for their OC vacancy.

Given that head coach Mike Macdonald runs the defense, the OC job is very important for Seattle, as that coach is in charge of not only gameplanning, but designing and playcalling on offense.

Who is Brian Fleury?

Fleury entered the NFL in 2013 as the Bills quality control coach. He then shifted to the defensive side of the ball, becoming the Browns assistant linebackers coach. In 2019, he arrived in San Francisco to become the 49ers defensive quality control coach. In 2020, the team put him back on offense as the offensive quality control coach. It was in 2022 when he was put in charge of the tight ends, and in 2025, he continued to do so alongside having run game coordinator duties.

In classic Kyle Shanahan fashion, he reinforced his offensive assistants by putting them on defense first. This is good as Fleury knows the ins-and-outs of defense, and he then acts accordingly on offense.

The 49ers would lose another coach

After losing DC Robert Saleh to the Tennessee Titans, now they could lose another one. However, it could be worse. The 49ers OC is Klint Kubiak’s brother, Klay. The Seahawks instead opted for Fleury, but they could’ve gone for the other Kubiak all the same to work alongside Sam Darnold.

Shanahan is used to losing coaches at this point. His coaching tree is one of the most popular ones in the NFL. Hence, he is constantly promoting and bringing new people to his staff. It seems that if he loses Fleury, a new guy will get his shot.

Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon was amazing during the Super Bowl game. He later revealed the Patriots had a tell, and that helped the defense prepare for what was coming.

“I knew what was going on,” Witherspoon said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. “We had a good tell on what they like to do and how they like to play and how they were going to attack us.” He then went further. “We had a tell on their guards and their tackles, how they like to set, they’re going to overset on certain rushes, they’re going to fall for certain moves any time a group of guys get after them, and today I think we did that,”

Patriots must be fuming

Losing the Super Bowl is hard, but for some, it’s harder. It was reported how a Patriots player didn’t even give interviews postgame. However, one person must be going ballistic after reading what Witherspoon said, and that’s Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels is regarded as one of the best OCs of all time, and he is known for his eye for detail. His expertise on adapting and adjusting mid-game rely on him solving the puzzle of the opposing defense. Watching how he was absolutely dominated by the Seahawks defense because of a detail they caught must burn McDaniels’ inside out. He lost at the game he is best.

Seahawks have a ‘Mamba Mentality’

The Mamba Mentality was made famous by NBA superstar, the late great Kobe Bryant. This meant it’s full gas, all game, no break. Witherspoon admitted that in the middle of the Super Bowl LX celebration, they were still holding each other accountable for the two fourth-quarter the team allowed.

It’s clear this team wants to win, but it wants to be absolutely elite while doing it. The players will celebrate victories. But, they are also on the lookout as to how and where they can improve for the next time. That’s how champions are built.