The Seattle Seahawks closed their 2025 preseason with a 20-7 thud against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 23, a game that felt more like a survival test for the backups than a true contest. With starters like Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker, and Devon Witherspoon spectating in matching team hats, rookie QB Jalen Milroe and a cast of reserves faced a Packers defense that kept its regulars in early, exposing Seattle’s depth issues. Here are the key takeaways as the Seahawks head toward Tuesday’s 1 p.m. roster cut deadline and their Week 1 clash with the San Francisco 49ers.
1. Jalen Milroe’s Rough Day Highlights a Steep Learning Curve Rookie QB Jalen Milroe, a third-round pick from Alabama, got the full-game start but looked overwhelmed behind a porous backup O-line. Sacked five times and coughing up three fumbles (all lost, including a botched snap late), he struggled under pressure from Green Bay’s first-team defense. His stat line—13-of-24 for 148 yards, one TD, and 31 rushing yards on seven carries—had bright spots, like a 27-yard dart to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and an 18-yard TD to Cody White. But Pro Football Focus wasn’t kind, slapping him with a team-low 36.3 grade. Coach Mike Macdonald stressed growth: “Taking care of the football is probably the number one thing, and he knows that.” Milroe owned it too: “All of those are on me. I have to be better with ball security.” He’s no 2012 Russell Wilson, but his legs could see him in gadget roles or short-yardage packages with Darnold and Drew Lock ahead. Key takeaway: Milroe’s got tools, but he needs polish—and protection—to be NFL-ready.
2. Backup O-Line Woes Expose Depth Concerns Seattle’s starting offensive line shone in the first two preseason games, but the backups were a disaster against Green Bay’s starters. They allowed five sacks, mustered just three yards per carry (excluding Jacardia Wright’s 61-yard burst), and left Milroe running for his life. A promising drive to the Packers’ 4-yard line fizzled with no-gain runs, a flagged TD, and an incomplete pass. With rookie guard Christian Haynes nursing a pectoral issue (not as serious as feared, per Macdonald), depth up front is a glaring issue. Key takeaway: If injuries hit starters like Charles Cross or Jalen Sundell, the Seahawks could be in trouble—expect GM John Schneider to hunt the waiver wire.
3. Ty Okada and Cody White Shine Bright Amid the gloom, safety Ty Okada and wideout Cody White made strong cases for roster spots. Okada, a practice-squad regular, stole the show with a one-handed interception off Malik Willis to end Green Bay’s opening drive, earning a 92.4 PFF grade (92.2 coverage, 86.2 tackling) over 69 snaps. White, battling for a receiver spot, led with 69 yards on three catches, including a TD, and added a 35-yard punt return (78.0 offensive PFF grade, 69.0 special teams). Key takeaway: Both are long shots for the 53-man roster but bolstered their chances—Okada for depth at safety, White as a versatile WR5 or special-teams ace.
4. Defensive Depth Shows Fight, but Corners Struggle Despite short fields from turnovers, Seattle’s backup defenders held up decently. Undrafted rookie edge rusher Jared Ivey (eight tackles, pressures), LB Patrick O’Connell (seven tackles), and second-year LB Jamie Sheriff (sack, edge disruption) stood out, with nose tackle J.R. Singleton (91.0 PFF) and Alphonzo Tuputala (85.4 PFF) impressing too. But cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett (38.4 PFF) and Shaq Griffin (48.7 PFF) got torched in coverage, raising red flags about secondary depth. Key takeaway: Young front-seven players like Ivey and Sheriff could stick, but the cornerback room needs work—especially with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen as the only sure bets.
5. Special Teams: Dickson’s Magic, Injury Scares Punter Michael Dickson was a lone bright spot, averaging 47.3 yards on six punts and pinning Green Bay inside their 20 four times. Kick returner Anthony Tyus III added spark with 58 yards on two attempts (71.1 PFF). But a punt return collision injured Jake Bobo (concussion) and Tyler Hall (knee, structurally OK per Macdonald), raising concerns for a special-teams unit that’s been shaky under Jay Harbaugh. Key takeaway: Dickson’s elite, but Bobo’s injury might force a roster rethink—White or Tyus could seize returner roles.
6. Roster Clues from Who Sat Out The holdouts spoke volumes. Running back George Holani didn’t play, suggesting he’s locked as RB3 behind Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Center Jalen Sundell was in street clothes, with Olu Oluwatimi as emergency backup, confirming Sundell’s Week 1 starting role. Nose tackle Brandon Pili sat while Quinton Bohanna played—Pili’s likely safe. But Marquez Valdes-Scantling, on a $4M deal, played early despite no special-teams value, hinting his roster spot’s shaky with rookie Tory Horton pushing. Key takeaway: Bobo’s concussion might save an extra WR like MVS initially, but a run-heavy scheme and Milroe as QB3 could squeeze the receiver room.
7. Turnovers Must Be Fixed Seattle’s five fumbles (four lost) fueled Green Bay’s 20-0 halftime lead, echoing last season’s minus-6 turnover differential (tied for 23rd). Milroe’s three fumbles and Jake Bobo’s muffed punt were killers, with two leading to 10 Packers points. Key takeaway: Macdonald’s team, which turned it over in 13 of 17 games in 2024, can’t afford this sloppiness against the 49ers in Week 1.
8. Preseason’s Over—Now the Real Work Begins The 20-7 loss (253 yards, 9 first downs, 2-of-13 on third downs) was ugly, but preseason’s fool’s gold. Seattle dominated their first two games with starters; this was about evaluating fringes while preserving the core. Macdonald praised the effort: “They put a heck of a training camp together. They should be proud.” Key takeaway: With cuts looming and a brutal opener against San Francisco on September 7, the focus shifts to tightening operations, cutting penalties, and unleashing the starters. Milroe, Okada, White, and Ivey showed potential—now it’s about who sticks and who steps up when it counts.
The Seahawks leave Lambeau bruised but not broken. Time to cut the roster, heal the wounds, and bring the thunder in the regular season.
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