While both teams enter Week 3 battling injuries at key position groups that could dictate who wins Sunday, slowing down the Saints’ still elusive, dynamic running back stands atop the goals for the Seahawks.

From the Seahawks’ tackle duo dealing with Nick Bosa to a new defender coming onboard to potentially line up against George Kittle, Sunday’s opener between bitter rivals features no shortage of intriguing matchups.

Banking on better health moving forward, the Seahawks locked up one of their young tackles with a multi-year extension, while the Huskies and Cougars ramped up preparation for Week 2 with sights on a second straight win to open the college football season.

Injuries have derailed Abraham Lucas’ career through three seasons, but the Seahawks believe his best football remains in front of him. Did they make the right call handing him a lucrative extension before the final year of his rookie contract?

Looking to find their way back into the playoffs after a two-year drought, how will the 2025 season play out for the Seahawks in year two under Mike Macdonald?

For far too long, the Seahawks have been held back by the play of their offensive line. But for the first time in a long time, there’s a real sense of optimism in the trenches. Can the group deliver on growing expectations?

With 2023 serving as an exception due to the player being well below 100 percent, the Seahawks have been a dramatically different team with Abraham Lucas on the field over the past three years. In fact, no player may be more critical to their NFC West odds in 2025.

From a trio of new quarterbacks getting their first extended look running Klint Kubiak’s offense to free agent additions in the secondary impressing, plenty of action unfolded during the Seahawks three open OTA practices at the VMAC.

In a nice change of pace, Abraham Lucas isn’t having to sweat out a lengthy rehab process this spring, while the Seahawks new starting quarterback continues to strengthen his connection with new receivers and centers during OTAs.

The Seahawks continued to struggle in the trenches on offense last season, but with a young core returning a year older and a proven veteran offensive line coach now in town, the team hopes to see the unit take a big step forward this spring.

Still armed with plenty of cap space for 2025 and 2026 after the recent NFL Draft, the Seahawks have the financial means to extend several of their 2022 draftees. Which ones have the best chance at receiving a new deal this summer?

When it comes to competing for an NFC West title and a return to the postseason, all eyes will be on Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp as newcomers filling big shoes. But the Seahawks will only go as far as their most maligned unit, which looks largely unchanged, performs under a new coaching staff.

Following numerous cap-creating moves, the Seahawks have set themselves up to not only add outside free agents, but potentially extend a few of their own players heading towards free agency in 2025.

It’s a tale as old as time, but the Eagles provided the blueprint for the Seahawks to get back to Super Bowl contention and it starts with the trenches.

Offering more than 20 years of coaching experience in the NFL, John Benton will be tasked with fixing one of the league’s worst offensive lines as part of a new-look Seahawks coaching staff.