Abraham Lucas, John Benton Share Unique Bond With Seahawks Through Football and Music
Super Bowl champions Abraham Lucas and John Benton have hit it off since Day 1 since they paired up with the Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach's arrival in 2025, building a unique relationship with a shared love for heavy metal music. Emerald City Spectrum reporter Corbin Smith catches up with Lucas and Benton from the VMAC to dive into their evolving coach/player chemistry going into their second season working together, discuss the importance of developing a rapport between coaches and players beyond what happens on the field and in the film room, pick a metal theme song for several coaches and teammates, and more!
Camp Takeaways: Big Plays Galore as Sam Darnold, Seahawks Torch Skies in Eighth Practice
Smoke descending upon the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Monday afternoon came from the unfortunate Spokane fires raging on the other side of the state, with expectations air quality will continue to worsen over the next few days.
But putting the true serious nature of the flames in Eastern Washington aside, with Sam Darnold and company lighting up the skies all afternoon, an observer wouldn’t have been off basis for blaming a scorching hot passing game as the culprit for the increasingly hazy conditions in the Seattle Seahawks’ eighth training camp practice.
Coming out firing on all cylinders early in Monday’s session, Darnold zipped a 20-yard bullet to Cooper Kupp on his first throw against Seattle’s No. 1 defense, soon connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a 50-yard touchdown after he came loose working against Nehemiah Pritchett with a subtle push off at the top of the route. On the next series, he ripped a 20-yard completion to Tory Horton on a post route between two tightly converging defenders and then hit Kupp on a 25-yard in-breaking route in a three-play span.
Continuing to find success over the top against the normally stingy Seahawks defense in the next situational team drill, Darnold executed a play fake from under center and promptly set his back foot before launching a bomb down the middle of the field. Flying past rookie cornerback Michael Dansby and rookie safety Bud Clark on a skinny post, speedy receiver Rashid Shaheed had the pass land in his hands in strides for six points on a 55-yard touchdown reception.
Does O-Line Continuity Set Seahawks Up for Sustained Super Bowl Window?
Prior to their latest march to a Super Bowl victory last February, the Seattle Seahawks appeared to have a proverbial “peanut” allergy in regard to developing and maintaining continuity along the offensive line, particularly in the interior at the guard and center positions.
Consistently struggling to keep quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith upright and at times failing to establish a reliable ground game under several different offensive coordinators over a nearly decade-long period, the Seahawks have had a different Week 1 starting center in six of the previous seven seasons dating back to Justin Britt’s final year with the team. The guard spots have not been that much more stable during that span, with the exception of Damien Lewis starting four years in a row from 2020 to 2023, sandwiched by games of musical chairs on the left and right side.
But the tides have truly turned in the Pacific Northwest for general manager John Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and company as they aim to run it forward, not ironically coinciding with arguably the best season in franchise history for the Seahawks. Anchored by tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas along with standout rookie Grey Zabel, the offensive line improved leaps and bounds under the coaching of long-time NFL assistant John Benton in 2025, providing sterling protection for Sam Darnold and igniting a run game that got hot at the perfect time down the stretch and kept rolling into the playoffs, paving the way for a 17-3 record that culminated with hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Seahawks’ Road to Super Bowl Repeat Becomes Far Trickier Following Pair of Blockbuster Trades
Closing in on a new season as the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks will have massive targets on their backs every single week, and rivals have already started throwing darts aiming for the bullseye two months before training camp even begins.
Kicking off the month of June with a rare flurry of blockbuster deals for the early summer, the Los Angeles Rams traded a 2027 first round pick, 2028 second round pick, and 2029 third round pick along with defensive end Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns to acquire superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett. Shortly after, the New England Patriots executed their own blockbuster to give quarterback Drake Maye a new No. 1 weapon, trading a 2028 first round pick and 2027 fifth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for standout receiver A.J. Brown.
Of those two moves, the Brown deal carries the most significance in terms of immediacy, as the Seahawks will see Brown donning a silver shell, white jersey, and nautical blue pants right out of the gate in their season opening Super Bowl LX rematch versus the Patriots at Lumen Field. The talented receiver will be reunited with coach Mike Vrabel after previously spending several seasons together in Tennessee and will replace Stefon Diggs as the team’s top pass catcher atop a significantly different receiving corps.
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks in Great Shape for Present, Future Offensively
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s offense look for both the present and the future?
Seahawks’ Abraham Lucas Livin’ the Super Bowl Dream
One of Abraham Lucas’ first football memories comes from almost exactly 20 years ago.
At seven years old, he watched the Seattle Seahawks play in Super Bowl XL in Everett, wishing — like many kids — he could play in the big game someday.
People often say “Livin’ the dream” with sarcasm when asked how their work days are going.
Now a 6-6, 322-pound right tackle for the Seahawks, the Archbishop Murphy High School graduate truly is leaving that dream. On Sunday, “someday” arrives, and Lucas will start on Seattle’s offensive line against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
‘I’m a Seahawk, Damnit’: Could John Benton Stick Around Post-Super Bowl With Young O-Line Nucleus?
With Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to take the Las Vegas Raiders vacant head coaching job, it has been widely speculated that the play caller will bring offensive line coach John Benton along with him to the Sin City.
But with such decisions not to be made until after Super Bowl LX on Sunday, even considering his previous connections working with Kubiak both in New Orleans and Seattle as well as coaching under Kubiak’s father Gary in Houston, Benton staying put in the Pacific Northwest should not be ruled out.
Speaking with the Emerald City Spectrum during Thursday’s media scramble at the San Jose Convention Center, when asked about whether or not he could provide an answer on the possibility of following Kubiak to Las Vegas on the heels of speaking glowingly about his current offensive line group, Benton emphatically responded, “I’m a Seahawk, damnit!”
Five Distinct Advantages the Seahawks Have in Super Bowl LX
The Seahawks have one more game remaining, the much-awaited rematch against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Nothing is certain until the downs are played, but what are the Hawks’ key advantages going into the Big Game?
Marquee Matchups to Watch as Seahawks, Rams Duel in NFC Championship Game
Familiar foes will tangle once again at Lumen Field as the Seahawks and Rams vie for a Super Bowl berth. Which matchups hold the weight in a massive NFC West rubber match?
Seahawks Poised to Flip Script on Recent NFC West Playoff Woes
The Seahawks haven’t won a playoff game since 2019, most recently bowing out in wild card defeats at the hands of division rivals. As the top seed with the 49ers coming to town, can they finally conquer those NFC West demons in January?
Analysis: Which 2022 Draftees Will Seahawks Re-sign Following Charles Cross Extension?
Now with both of their young tackles locked in for the next three-plus seasons on extensions, the Seahawks can turn their attention towards the rest of their heralded 2022 draft class. Which of the five players currently on the final year of their rookie deal have the best shot at a second contract?
Comparing Rivals: How Do Seahawks, Rams’ Offenses Stack Up Against Each Other?
Racing out to 7-2 starts, the Seahawks and Rams have put a ton of points on the board behind their star quarterbacks, talented receiving corps, and improved offensive lines. Where does each team hold an edge going into Sunday’s first matchup at SoFi Stadium?
It’s Time to Say It: Seahawks’ O-Line is Best Franchise Has Had in Years
No, the Seahawks don’t have a perfect offensive line in 2025. But with many other teams struggling to build cohesive units in the trenches, the group has taken a massive step forward, emerging as a key reason to believe in Seattle as a contender.
Progress Report: How Have Seahawks’ Offensive Position Groups Fared Through 7 Games?
Ranking fifth in points per game, the Seahawks have eclipsed expectations amid a 5-2 start to the 2025 season thanks to Sam Darnold’s brilliance and an improving offensive line, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement heading into the bye week.
Keys to Victory: How Seahawks Can Defeat Texans on Monday Night Football
Trying to keep pace with the Rams and 49ers in the NFC West, the Seahawks will face the NFL’s top-ranked defense in the Texans on Monday Night Football. What must they accomplish to improve to 5-2?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Host Texans on Monday Night Football
Pitting two of the NFL’s fiercest defenses against each other in prime time, the Seahawks hope to find a kink in the Texans’ armor and heat up C.J. Stroud, while the visitors intend to make life tough on Sam Darnold with a vicious edge rush and ball hawking defenders on the back end.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks, Cardinals Square Off on Thursday Night Football
Seeking a third consecutive win and their first victory in the NFC West in 2025, the Seahawks hope a healthier secondary and an improved offensive line will allow them to match up well with the Cardinals’ strengths on Thursday Night Football.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Duel Saints in Week 3
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.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Battle 49ers in Season Opener
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.
Podcast: Seahawks Re-Sign Abraham Lucas, Cougars/Huskies Seeking 2-0 Starts
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.
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