Stock Watch: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not After Seahawks’ 17-7 Preseason Loss to Cowboys
As coach Mike Macdonald loves to say, the Seattle Seahawks value the process over the result, particularly in the preseason, but Saturday’s exhibition opener certainly didn’t live up to usual expectations in a sloppy 17-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Lumen Field.
“Any time you line up in anything competitively, we’re trying to win, but right now our process needs to improve,” Macdonald said in his opening statement after the defeat. “That’s really the biggest takeaway really in both phases, on offense and defense. Our operation is not up to par, and how we’re finishing plays is not up to par. That will be a focus moving forward, but it’s good to know.”
Looking back at Saturday’s loss, which players improved their stock the most? And which ones failed to make the most of the first dress rehearsal gearing up for the regular season?
STOCK UP
Montorie Foster Jr.
Continuing a fantastic summer thus far, Foster capped off Seattle’s lone scoring drive on the opening possession reeling in a screamer from Drew Lock on a dig route for a five-yard touchdown, turning out of his break with the fastball already halfway to him as it rocketed just over the outstretched hand of a linebacker dropping in coverage. While he did have a bad drop in the fourth quarter, he quickly amended for that mistake two plays later on third down, snatching a first down reception coming back to the football on a curl route to move the chains and showing his mettle overcoming in-game adversity. He finished the night with a team-high five catches for 36 yards and those numbers could have been dramatically better if Lock would not have overthrown a potential 65-yard touchdown where the second-year wideout had come wide open down the left sideline.
Rapid Reaction: Seahawks Fizzle After Fast Start, Fall 17-7 to Cowboys in Preseason Opener
Despite a fast start to kick off the exhibition season with an opening drive touchdown, the Seattle Seahawks whiffed on multiple fourth down opportunities and the offense went ice cold for the final three quarters of play as the Dallas Cowboys earned a 17-7 victory in the preseason opener.
Rotating snaps under center, Drew Lock completed nine out of 13 passes for 40 yards and tossed a five-yard touchdown to receiver Montorie Foster Jr., while Jalen Milroe rushed for 36 yards and added 36 yards as a passer. Seemingly playing with clones on the field, linebacker Tyrice Knight stuffed the stat sheet with a team-high 10 tackles and two pass breakups, starring in the middle with mostly backups playing on defense for Seattle, while edge rusher Jalan Gaines and safety AJ Finley produced the team’s only tackles for loss.
Here are five takeaways from the preseason opener at Lumen Field:
1. A methodical drive aided by a big penalty finishes with Lock’s arm giving the Seahawks a quick lead.
Playing with all backups on the offensive side of the ball, Lock didn’t waste much time going into aggressive mode from the pocket. After a short run by George Holani and a quick completion to Jake Bobo on the first two plays of the series, the Seahawks faced 3rd and 4 and the veteran backup uncorked a deep ball down the left sideline for veteran receiver Cody White, who got grabbed by cornerback Caelan Carson from behind as the pass sailed over his head. With his progress severely impeded to prevent a big play, he drew a 19-yard pass interference penalty to extend the opening possession.
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.
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