Rapid Reaction: Jalen Milroe Impresses Despite Seahawks Settling for 9-9 Preseason Tie vs. Chiefs
Ushering in the regular season with a draw, Jalen Milroe threw his first touchdown pass of the preseason as the Seattle Seahawks tied the Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 9-9 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Enjoying the best performance of his young career, Milroe completed 16 out of 26 passes for 223 yards and connected with Nick Vannett on a four-yard touchdown while adding 20 rushing yards. Cornerback Trevon Diggs kicked off his time as a Seahawk with a bang, intercepting a pass on the second series of the game, while defensive linemen Jared Ivey and Bubba Thomas each finished with two tackles for loss apiece to lead the defense.
Finishing the preseason with a tie after two losses to Dallas and Tennessee earlier in exhibition season, here are five quick takeaways from Seattle’s final dress rehearsal in Kansas City:
1. More decisive and in rhythm, Milroe takes the positive step forward Seattle hoped to see with a full game of action.
Desiring a more extended opportunity to evaluate the young signal caller and let him establish a rhythm, the Seahawks opted to start Milroe with the plan to play for him the entirety of the preseason finale after an uneven first two games rotating in behind Drew Lock. Making strides less than a week after getting intercepted twice against the Titans, he came out firing with confidence on Friday night, launching a 40-yard completion on a post route to Cody White and connecting with tight end Elijah Arroyo for a 24-yard completion over the middle on the team’s opening series to set up a Jason Myers field goal.
Jalen Milroe Under Microscope as Seahawks Play Final Dress Rehearsal in Kansas City
As he did in the preseason finale during his rookie season, Jalen Milroe will play all four quarters under center for the Seattle Seahawks when they travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Friday's exhibition finale.
Emerald City Spectrum reporter Corbin Smith analyzes what he has seen thus far from Milroe through two preseason games, breaks down what he hopes to see him improve upon with a full game of action in Kansas City, including more decisiveness from the pocket and willingness to let it rip as a passer, and examines three position battles with the most on the line from a 53-man roster standpoint heading into the last audition.
Jalen Milroe Set to Play Seahawks Entire Preseason Finale, Trevon Diggs to ‘Get a Look’ vs. Chiefs
Preparing to hit the road for their final dress rehearsal for the 2026 season in Kansas City, the Seattle Seahawks will hand the keys to the offense to Jalen Milroe for all four quarters, while a veteran newcomer should get his first opportunity to show what he can do in the secondary.
Speaking with reporters following Thursday’s walkthrough practice, Macdonald confirmed that while backup Drew Lock “will be ready” to go if needed, the Seahawks plan for Milroe to play the entire game against the Chiefs on Friday. Now with a handful of practices under his belt since signing with the team on August 19, cornerback Trevon Diggs also is expected to suit up and see some snaps as he aims to land a spot on the 53-man roster.
In his second season after being drafted in the third round by Seattle out Alabama, Milroe has endured a mostly rocky preseason to this point. Checking in for Lock to start the second half in Nashville last Sunday, he completed six out of 11 passes for 54 yards and threw two costly interceptions, telegraphing a throw that was picked by linebacker Anthony Hill in the third quarter and misfiring behind rookie receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. late in the fourth quarter. He also took a pair of sacks, including on a decisive fourth down to close out the game.
There have been a few highlights sprinkled in there for Milroe, however, who has showcased his physical and athletic talents as a runner in both preseason games while connecting on a few longer passes. Macdonald hopes that being able to stay in the game from start to finish without having to come in cold midway through on Friday will allow the young signal caller to get into a better rhythm and play with improved decisiveness and consistency as a result.
Which Dark Horses Could Emerge on Seahawks’ 53-Man Roster After Preseason Finale at Chiefs?
Every year, the Seattle Seahawks seem to have a player or two make the final 53-man roster who wasn't expected to stick around, including center Jalen Sundell and tight end Nick Kallerup in the past two years.
With one exhibition game remaining in Kansas City on Friday, Emerald City Spectrum reporter Corbin Smith identifies six dark horses who could become this year's Sundell or Kallerup with a strong performance versus the Chiefs and/or certain dominos falling on final cutdown day.
5 Burning Questions as Seahawks Face Titans in Second Preseason Game
Taking their training camp show on the road for detour to Nashville, the Seattle Seahawks held a spirited joint practice with the Tennessee Titans on Friday, likely meaning that no noteworthy starters will play for Mike Macdonald’s squad in Sunday’s second preseason game.
However, that doesn’t mean that the second dress rehearsal at Nissan Stadium isn’t still an important one. Even if Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Leonard Williams, and other stars stay on the sidelines with a jersey and ball cap on, plenty of roster spots remain up for grabs in all three phases with Seattle’s matchup against Tennessee providing another valuable opportunity to impress the coaching staff with cutdown day now less than two weeks away.
Looking to turn in a far better performance than they did in a 17-7 loss to the Cowboys on their home turf last weekend, here are five key questions for the Seahawks heading into their latest preseason tuneup against the Titans:
1. Will Seattle's quarterback duo of Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe bounce back after underwhelming openers?
Putting up just seven points on the scoreboard to kick off exhibition season, there were far more hands in the cookie jar of offensive dysfunction for the Seahawks than just Lock and Milroe, who each completed north of 60% of their passes but failed to generate much yardage with their passing opportunities, combining to average a dismal 3.6 yards per attempt against the Cowboys. As subs started to rotate into the lineup, the offensive line progressively got worse as the game wore on with the third-team unit allowing consistent pressure on both quarterbacks, including Milroe getting sacked twice in the second half. Penalties also proved to be a major issue, including reserve tackle Logan Brown being flagged twice for crucial fourth down holding penalties.
Ranking Seahawks: Amari Kight, J.R. Singleton Seeking Sophomore Leaps in No. 75-71
With the calendar quickly heading towards July and offseason workouts wrapped up league-wide for the summer, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will soon descend upon the Virginia Mason Athletic Center for the start of training camp, kicking off a much-anticipated 2026 season.
To celebrate the new incoming season, I will be ranking every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks leading up to report day, providing detailed profiles, exploring best and worst case scenarios, and breaking down what to expect from each player entering the 2026 campaign.
Continuing the annual rankings with No. 75-71, a pair of second-year players will be looking to jump full-time onto the 90-man roster and a reclamation project seeks a spot in a crowded tight end group.
Analysis: Investigating Seahawks’ Key Defensive Position Battles Entering OTAs
Set to kick off OTAs next week at the VMAC, the Seattle Seahawks will welcome back plenty of familiar faces from their Super Bowl squad. Even with Riq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe gone, 11 of the 13 players who logged at least 700 defensive snaps in 2025 remain under contract heading into the new season, presenting rare continuity for a defending champion.
Thanks to the minimal changes, Seattle will open the final phase of the offseason program without many starting jobs up for grabs on defense, leaving rotational reserve roles as the main competitions to play out over the summer. The entire interior defensive line and linebacker corps will return from last year’s Super Bowl squad along with the majority of key starters back in the secondary, headlined by All-Pro Devon Witherspoon and rising star Nick Emmanwori.
But while few starting jobs may be on the line, the Seahawks should still have some enticing competitions on tap on the defensive side of the football when they hit the practice field next week, including a pair of significant openings to replace Woolen and Bryant in the secondary that will be buoyed by using four draft picks at the two positions last month.
Which battles offer the most intrigue with two months until the start of training camp?
Analysis: Which Seahawks’ Future/Reserve Signings Could Break Out in 2026?
Ushering in a new offseason on the heels of their Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with 15 practice squad players on future/reserve deals, ensuring they would be on the 90-man roster once the new league year opens on March 11.
While these moves may not seem significant with the majority of the players signed by Seattle on Thursday offering minimal NFL regular season experience. But just this past season, third year safety Ty Okada went from being a future/reserve signing in January to emerging as a key starter with starters Julian Love and Coby Bryant battling injuries, recording 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups while starting a total of 11 games in coach Mike Macdonald’s secondary.
Looking at Seattle’s latest crop of future/reserve signings, which players have the best shot to become the 2026 version of Okada as an unexpected breakout player for the Seahawks?
5 Burning Questions For Seahawks Approaching 53-Man Roster Cuts
There will be no shortage of difficult decisions for John Schneider and the rest of the Seahawks’ brass to make in the next 48 hours and beyond, making the process of finalizing the 53-man roster a fascinating one to watch.
Instant Takeaways: Sloppy Seahawks Blasted 20-7 By Packers in Exhibition Finale
Coughing up the football four times total in the game, Jalen Milroe and the Seahawks couldn’t stay out of their own way in a rough finish to the preseason in Green Bay.
Key Storylines to Watch as Seahawks Close Out Preseason at Packers
In their final dress rehearsal before the real bullets start flying on September 7, several young Seahawks will be looking to shine at Lambeau Field with roster spots and practice squad opportunities hanging in the balance.
Camp Takeaways: Seahawks ‘Take Foot Off the Gas’ in Sloppy Family Day Practice
As Mike Macdonald put it, the Seahawks wouldn’t be batting 1.000 in training camp, and Wednesday’s final practice heading into their second preseason definitely dragged the batting average down with flags, mistimed snaps, and more.
Camp Takeaways: Ken Walker III Ready For Week 1, Seahawks’ Rookie D-Linemen Coming of Age
Back in full pads for the first time in nearly three weeks, the Seahawks’ bell cow back looked ready to face the 49ers in Tuesday’s final open practice for fans, while an intriguing group of undrafted rookie defensive linemen led by Jared Ivey continue to make positive impressions.
Seahawks 90-Man Rundown: J.R. Singleton Seeking Rotational Role After Stellar College Career
A key cog on defense for Iowa State in its run to the Big 12 title game last fall, J.R. Singleton hopes to show other teams that they made a mistake overlooking him as he battles for playing time with the Seahawks.
Seahawks Announce 17 Undrafted Free Agent Signings
The Seahawks have a storied history of finding undrafted gems under John Schneider. Which players stand out from their latest crop of priority free agent signings as they open rookie minicamp?
Breaking Down Seahawks Reported Undrafted Free Agent Signings
The Seahawks have a storied history of finding undrafted gems under John Schneider. Which players stand out from their latest reported crop of priority free agent signings following the 2025 NFL Draft?