After failing to make it to the postseason for the last two yearsthe Seahawks hope that the team will see some improvement in the 2025 season.
Central to the campaign will be Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year deal with Seattle in March and will be tasked with leading a new-look offense when the regular season gets underway in September.
Geno Smith performed the role last year, ending with 4,283 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 17 games – the best figures of his career. But Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders on the same day Darnold arrived. Head coach Mike Macdonald is in no doubt about who will be his starting quarterback, as he told Seattle Sports this week.
Macdonald confirms Sam Darnold as the Seahawks QB1
When asked by hosts Brock Huard and Mike Salk if there was a chance Drew Lock or Jalen Milroe might be considered for the QB1 role, Macdonald replied, “No, you guys are crazy. I respect that you’ve got to ask it, but it’s just a crazy question. It’s just not going to happen. Sam’s our starting quarterback. We love him. He’s doing a tremendous job. I think it’s funny that the media’s out there for the first day then all of a sudden, they know exactly how good we’re going to be and how good all the players are and all the tempos… we haven’t even put on pads yet! It turns out a practice is a great way to build culture by letting guys know that they can’t make mistakes… We want these guys to prepare the right way, go on the practice pitch and let it rip. And then we’ll go fix it – we’ve got time, it’s June”
He added “Sam’s getting the vast majority of the reps. It’s important for everybody to rep and get the experience and now that, there’s only so many minutes that you can be out on the field but we want Drew to get a ton of reps too, we want Jay Mil to get a ton of reps – so, how do you manage it? There are different ways you can balance them outyou can use that time to develop the young guys. But Sam’s gonna get the vast majority and as we get closer to the season, that’ll get skewed even further”.
Darnoldwho ended last season with the Vikings throwing for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns, is looking forward to linking up with new arrival WR Cooper coup in the Seahawks revamped offense.
“Coop’s amazing. The way he moves is very unique,” Darnold told the Rich Eisen Show. “Being able to get a ton of reps with him and see how he gets in and out of routes is different. That’s what’s made him such a great player. Just the way he can make certain routes look the same, and he ends up in a completely different spot. It’s very unique.”
The Seahawks preseason plans
The Seahawks begin their preseason hosting the Raiders at Lumen Field on Thursday, August 7. A week later they take on the Chiefs at home and conclude their schedule on the road, against the Packers on Saturday, August 23 at Lambeau Field.
Macdonald’s men open the new campaign at home to the San Francisco 49ers on September 7, then travel to Pittsburgh – the team will alternate home/away games through the first nine games before back-to-back road games in Weeks 11 and 12.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverageright at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
