After a disappointing 2024 campaign on offense, the Seattle Seahawks hit the reset button.
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They overhauled the offensive coaching staff, bringing in coordinator Klint Kubiak and a pair of longtime NFL assistants to run a tried-and-true Shanahan-style scheme.
They traded away Geno Smith and DK Metcalf in a pair of blockbuster moves, then quickly pivoted by replacing them with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp.
And they added an infusion of promising young talent in the NFL Draft, using nine of their 11 picks on the offensive side of the ball.
Yes, it’s only the preseason. But through two games, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah can already see the vision from general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald starting to coalesce.
“I love it when you see a coherent plan that came together,” Jeremiah told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “John Schneider and coach Macdonald clearly had an idea of what they wanted this to look like. And man, you’ve gotta be pumped with the early returns.”
.@Seahawks offense looked flawless with Sam Darnold under center in their opening drive 👏
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/v33lfq3z1o
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
The ground attack already looks night-and-day different in Kubiak’s scheme, with the Seahawks piling up 438 rushing yards and 5.5 yards per carry through the first two weeks of the preseason – both of which lead the NFL by a considerable margin.
Darnold has only played one series, but he look sharp in Kubiak’s system, completing all four of his passes while guiding Seattle on a 10-play, 81-yard touchdown drive.
As for the rookie draft class? It’s certainly lived up to expectations.
First-round pick Grey Zabel has drawn rave reviews as Seattle’s new starting left guard. Wide receiver Tory Horton had a breakout training camp and shined in the preseason opener. Fullback Robbie Ouzts has already made a tone-setting impact as a run blocker, while also showing his pass-catching ability with a pair of receptions. Tight end Elijah Arroyo has impressed with his unique mix of size, speed and athleticism.
And even while working with the third-string offense, dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe has shown flashes of the tantalizing speed that makes him such a fascinating long-term prospect.
“There’s a lot of positive signs,” Jeremiah said. “I’m always one to caution that preseason’s a liar and don’t make any big-time assessments off preseason. But if you can’t watch Grey Zabel climb to the second level as explosive as he is and get excited, I don’t know what to tell you.”
Listen to the full conversation with NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah at this link or in the audio player near the bottom of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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