RENTON — The conclusion of the preseason and setting of the initial 53-man roster also meant a news conference with Seahawks general manager John Schneider to sum it all up.
Here are five things that stood out:
Schneider likes look of the offensive line
What projects as Seattle’s starting offensive line features four holdovers — left tackle Charles Cross, center Jalen Sundell, right guard Anthony Bradford and right tackle Abraham Lucas — as well as first-round pick left guard Grey Zabel.
But it also features a new scheme focused around the outside zone running game under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and line coach John Benton.
Schneider said he’s liked what he’s seen of how the line has developed in the preseason.
“We like it,’’ he said. “Again, it comes back to the developers, and the teachers. There’s an attitude that they can have in this scheme where they can come off the ball and feel confident about themselves. They spend a lot of time together. I think you’ve seen a lot of growth within the group. There’s camaraderie that’s starting to come together too, that’s the whole team, not just the offensive line. That group is the kind of group you’d like to see spending a lot of time together because they have to work as one.
“We like it. Like every other position, we’re going to keep trying to work it. We’ll be looking at practice squads, looking at tryout guys, trades, whatever we have to do, we’ll be continuing to work that position. But this group in particular, that’s here right now, they’re doing a really nice job.”
Zabel has “been awesome’’
Schneider simply put said he thinks Zabel has been “awesome” so far.
“He’s a huge piece, and the fact that he played with Jalen (Sundell), too (at North Dakota State). The fact that those guys played together, you got two guys that there’s a familiarity there, that unit bonding and that cohesiveness.
“He’s a tough guy, he’s got a great personality. He hasn’t acted like anything’s too big for him but yet he’s still doing all the rookie hazing stuff and carrying helmets.”
Extensions for 2022 class could still be in offing
The Seahawks have yet to sign any members of their 2022 draft class to extensions even though all are now eligible. The team did exercise an option on Cross for the 2026 season. But players such as Lucas, running back Kenneth Walker III, cornerback Riq Woolen, safety Coby Bryant and rush end Boye Mafe can be free agents at the end of the season.
Schneider indicated there have been some talks with some players but nothing has materialized.
“It depends on the individual, where they are, how they’re performing, or what their story is,’’ Schneider said. “Everybody has a different story. There’s a lot that goes on behind closed doors, and we’re proud that we can keep that in house. We love our guys and we’ll keep working with them. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and if it doesn’t, just have to move on to the next guy. We will never stop trying to do that. But there isn’t one just standard philosophy, other than the fact that since we got here, (former owner) Mr. (Paul) Allen and his philosophy is that we wouldn’t do anything without one year out (meaning, no deals before a player has just one year left on his contract). So, we’ll continue that route.”
And Schneider indicated deals could happen at any time.
“It’s always going on,’’ he said of contract talks. “It’s constantly going on. It’s kind of in flux again, depending on the individual, depending on representation, how’s it going.’’
Schneider excited about Milroe progress
Rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe was one of the spotlight players of the preseason, getting the start and playing the entire game in a 20-7 loss at Green Bay on Saturday. Milroe lost three fumbles in what was a spotty performance.
Milroe now reverts to being the number three QB behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock for the regular season. But as coach Mike Macdonald said earlier this week, Schneider hinted that there could be a role for Milroe this season in specialty packages.
“Those guys are very well coached in Alabama,’’ Schneider said. “His work ethic is outstanding. He’s got a great, live personality. He’s got a lot of juice, he’s got swag. He studies like crazy and he’s following Drew and Sam around and spending a ton of time working on his craft and doing the extras on his own. I’m sure you would have liked things to go his way with the ball security the other day, it could have been better. But, excited to see what the offensive staff is going to do, how we work him in and what the plan’s going to be good. Very excited about his development.”
Seahawks may keep adding to ILB position
It was reported and confirmed Wednesday that the Seahawks intend to sign free agent linebacker Chazz Surratt, who was released this week by the 49ers.
Surratt may be able to help both on and off the ball after starting five games for the Jets last season.
Schneider said he could not comment on Surratt, whose signing figures to be announced Thursday.
But he acknowledged the team is looking to upgrade the inside linebacking depth.
Ernest Jones IV is set as the starting middle linebacker but missed some time early in camp while easing back in after having offseason knee surgery, while Tyrice Knight is back as the weakside linebacker but did not play in the preseason while dealing with a knee issue and an undisclosed medical issue.
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Seattle kept only one backup ILB on its initial 53-man roster in Drake Thomas. But the Seahawks on Wednesday re-signed Patrick O’Connell to the practice squad.
Thomas and O’Connell spent much of camp working as the starters with Jones and Knight out or limited.
“We’ve got to get Tyrice going,’’ Schneider said. “I’m sure Ernest (Jones IV) wants some more traction behind him as well. Drake and Paddy-O (O’Connell) did a great job in the preseason. We wanted to add to the group. We will. We’ll continue to be working at that position. I thought Paddy and Drake both had nice preseasons. They carried the defense all throughout the preseason.’’
Bob Condotta: bcondotta@seattletimes.com. Bob Condotta covers the Seahawks for the Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout the year.