Four takeaways from Week 2 of the Seahawks' preseason

The Seattle Seahawks generally dominated the Kansas City Chiefs en route to a 33-16 win on Friday. The run game and defense looked especially solid, but there are some things that can still be improved, and questions that can still be answered. Here are four takeaways from the Seahawks’ preseason victory over the Chiefs.

1. Kubiak’s run game looks potent

2024 Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb only lasted a year in Seattle. Why? Last year’s offense ranked 28th in rushing yards per game (95.7). His replacement, Klint Kubiak, made it clear on Friday night that this year’s offense aims to be different.

The Seahawks steamrolled the Chiefs to the tune of 268 rushing yards, 119 of which came in the first quarter. Four Seattle running backs (Zach Charbonnet, Jacardia Wright, George Holani, Damien Martinez) had at least 45 rushing yards, and both Charbonnet and Martinez found the endzone.

“The run game being successful is just what we’ve been working on the whole offseason,” offensive guard Anthony Bradford said postgame. “As an O-line we’re stressing running the ball right now.”

The strong run game also allowed the Seahawks offense to get creative through the air. On the first drive alone, Sam Darnold used play-action fakes to connect with both Elijah Arroyo and Robbie Ouzts in the flats. Darnold also connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a swing pass, which resulted in a first down.

The great Seahawks teams of the 2010s found success in running the ball and utilizing play-action. Friday night felt like a return to form.

2. Bobo threatening to push MVS further down the depth chart

Wide receiver Jake Bobo has been a fan favorite since landing in Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He’s shown flashes of excellent hands, route-running and body control, but his reps had previously been limited behind DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Smith-Njigba. 

On Friday, Bobo made a strong case for an increased workload. Early in the second quarter, Drew Lock connected with Bobo on a screen pass to the slot. The 27-year-old maneuvered expertly around his blockers, cut between two defenders and stretched across the goal line for a 12-yard score.

“There was nobody out there,” Bobo said of the play postgame. “Great call by (Kubiak).”

Late in the second quarter, Lock again found Bobo from 12 yards out. This time, Bobo ran a fade route along the far sideline before leaping above the defending cornerback to secure a spectacular toe-tapping score.

Despite his excellent performance, Bobo’s position in the depth chart is uncertain. Rookie Tory Horton has continued to get first-team reps in practice, meaning he’ll likely begin the year as Seattle’s WR3. However, Bobo’s not the only other wideout competing for that spot.

When the Seahawks signed veteran deep-threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling in March, many fans assumed he’d join Smith-Njigba and fellow signing Cooper Kupp in Seattle’s starting rotation. 

Two preseason games later, and the same fans are still waiting to see Valdes-Scantling make his first reception as a Seahawk. Valdes-Scantling didn’t play in last week’s game, and wasn’t targeted during the opening drive (his only appearance) of Friday’s game.

He turns 31 in October, and if Horton’s already outplaying him, the writing may be on the wall. Plus, Bobo is balling, and 26-year-old Dareke Young has also been productive. Valdes-Scantling will likely make the final roster, but his role with the team going forwards is in jeopardy.

3. The ‘Tush Push’: Our friend and Milroe’s

In May, the Seahawks joined 21 other teams in an attempt to ban the Philadelphia Eagles’ signature ‘Tush Push’, a seemingly-unstoppable quarterback rush from a pseudo-victory formation. 

The vote failed, and the ‘Tush Push’ remains legal. That may actually be good news for the Seahawks, as rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe successfully replicated the push in the first drive of Friday’s game. 

With Charbonnet and Ouzts behind him, Milroe drove through the Chiefs’ defensive line to pick up two yards and a first down. Six plays later, Seattle found the endzone.

Remember, Philadelphia’s offense finished third in fourth-down conversion rate (70.97%) in 2024, and first (67.86%) in 2023. Meanwhile, Seattle finished 21st (52.63%) in 2024 and 30th (37.50%) in 2023. If the Seahawks can consistently execute the push, it’ll be a valuable asset in Kubiak’s offense.

The push will also likely guarantee Milroe a full-time spot on the active roster. Drew Lock performed well (10/12 for 129 yards and two touchdowns) as Seattle’s second-string quarterback against Kansas City, and he’ll likely begin the season as the Seahawks’ QB2. Seattle only kept two passers on the active roster last year, but Milroe’s ability to threaten on the ground will likely earn him a full-time role with the Seahawks.

4. Special teams coverage needs work

Special teams are important, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Just ask the 2010 San Diego Chargers, who led the league in total offense and defense but missed the playoffs largely due to an avalanche of special teams errors.

Seattle’s offense and defense looked great on Friday, but Jay Harbaugh’s special teams unit struggled when giving the ball back to Kansas City. 

In the second quarter, kick returner Jalen Royals raced through a huge gap in the coverage, forcing kicker Jason Myers to make a touchdown-saving tackle at midfield. Seattle also allowed twin 34-yard kick returns from Chiefs Jimmy Holiday and Key’Shawn Smith.

Sadly, the problems didn’t end there. In the fourth quarter, embattled Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore was practically untouched on a punt return which he took 88 yards down the sideline for a late score. 

“(We) would love to have covered that punt better,” head coach Mike Macdonald said postgame. “That’s stuck in the back of your mind, and our coverage units need to improve, but I think (they) improved from the first game for sure.”