Five takeaways from Week 1 of the Seahawks’ preseason

The Seattle Seahawks’ preseason tie with the Las Vegas Raiders gave Seahawks fans a lot to think about as the 2024-25 season approaches. One should never read too much into the preseason, but Thursday’s game gave Seahawks fans some things to consider. Here are five takeaways from Seattle’s 23-23 draw with the Raiders.

1. Oustz has a role in this offense

Many fans were skeptical when Seattle drafted fullback Robbie Ouzts in the fifth round of this year’s draft. However, the former Alabama tight end made an immediate impact on the Seahawks’ first possession. 

On Seattle’s second play, Ouzts put a nice block on a penetrating defender, which allowed running back George Holani to spring outside for a 20-yard pickup. Four plays later, quarterback Drew Lock connected with Ouzts in the flat. The 6’3, 274-pound rookie plowed over two defenders on his way out of bounds for a 17-yard gain.

The Seahawks’ second drive saw Ouzts lay another great block for Holani, who made one man miss and scampered down the sideline for a 24-yard score. Could the Seahawks have drafted the league’s next star fullback? It’s too soon to tell, but the future looks bright for Ouzts and the Seattle running attack.

2. McIntosh out, Martinez in? Holani’s play changes things

Seahawks fans have yearned to see former Georgia Bulldog Kenny McIntosh get consistent reps, but the third-year pro suffered a season-ending ACL tear in July. Fans may have assumed that McIntosh’s RB3 spot would automatically fall to seventh-round draft pick Damien Martinez, but Thursday’s results have complicated that narrative.

Second-year back George Holani spent most of his rookie campaign on the practice squad, but he outshone Martinez in Week 1 of the preseason. The elusive Holani tallied seven carries for 61 yards and a touchdown, and also recorded one reception for 20 yards.

Meanwhile, Martinez struggled to reach the second level, taking six carries for just 10 yards. The rookie added two receptions for 15 yards, but he’ll need to do more if he wants to stay above Holani in the depth chart.

3. Horton shows more promise

Neither Jaxon Smith-Njigba nor Cooper Kupp played on Thursday. However, fifth-round rookie Tory Horton, who has been consistently turning heads during training camp, showed more flashes in his preseason debut.

Early in the second quarter, Horton fought through pass interference to haul in a 13-yard reception along the sideline. He capped the Seahawks’ next drive with a 10-yard score, ducking between two defenders and spinning past a third on his way into the endzone.

Horton’s had a stellar preseason. Pro Bowl cornerback Tariq Woolen referred to Horton as “Jerry Rice Jr.” in practice, while head coach Mike Macdonald reported that Horton was “making multiple plays every day.” Though Horton only played in the first half, his three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown added to the hype growing around the rookie receiver.

4. Penalties are an issue

The Seahawks defense picked off Aidan O’Connell twice, with Josh Jobe snagging the first and Nehemiah Pritchett nabbing the second. However, the Seahawks’ defensive starters rushed the field in celebration after each, earning twin 15-yard penalties as a result.

There were also several holding penalties that hurt Seattle. Rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe scrambled for a first down early in the third quarter, but poor blocking from undrafted center Federico Maranges negated the play. On the Seahawks’ next drive, a 45-yard rumble from fellow UDFA Jacardia Wright was called back following a foul by tight end/fullback Brady Russell. Both drives ended in punts.

It’s understandable to see increased fouls in the team’s first preseason game of the year, but discipline will need to be better when the regular season kicks off in September.

5. Lock and Milroe are still competing

Quarterback Drew Lock has been beloved in Seattle since he led a game-winning drive against the Eagles in December of 2023. When the former New York Giant returned to the Seahawks in April of 2025, fans rightly assumed he’d return to his role as backup quarterback, this time behind free agent signing Sam Darnold.

However, two weeks after Lock’s return, the Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe, who won over much of the fanbase with his positivity and sky-high potential. After one week of preseason football, Seattle’s QB2 role seems to be up for grabs.

Though Lock played most of Seattle’s snaps against the Raiders, he failed to impress, going 12/22 for 147 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Meanwhile, Milroe finished 6/10 for 61 yards and tallied 38 rushing yards on three carries. The rookie’s passer rating of 77.5 was also slightly higher than Lock’s 71.6.

Thursday’s game likely didn’t cement the pecking order behind Darnold, but it served as a solid first showing for Milroe. Lock will have to increase his production in the next two weeks, or he’ll risk being stuck as Seattle’s third-string quarterback.