3 Reasons Why Seahawks Starters Could Sit vs. Titans

I’m sure many Seahawks fans would appreciate the chance to see the starters play a bit this week, but it’s more likely it’ll be another backup showcase.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the New England Patriots. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks didn’t play any expected starters on offense or defense against the Dallas Cowboys last week. It’s not hard to understand why the team decided to do this, and I’m sure most fans would agree it’s the correct move in the first preseason game. However, I suspect that we’ll see more of the same in the second game, and here’s why.

1) The Schedule Layout

The Seahawks play on Sunday this week, and then play their final preseason game the following Friday. That makes it a short week, so it’s unlikely that the team will be looking to play starters in both games. So you’re choosing one game to give the starters some time. And I suspect the team will be using the third game for this purpose.

Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) during warmups before the game against the Dallas Cowboys. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The team gets, effectively, a bye week between the last preseason game and the first regular season game, so there will be plenty of time for the team to get right and shake off any fatigue or minor injuries suffered when they get their chance. It makes more sense to warm the top guys up against Kansas City, which means more backups against Tennessee.

2) The Joint Practice Timing

The Seahawks probably feel like, by some definition, they’ve already gotten to play a game this week. Yesterday’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans may not have been an actual exhibition match, but the intensity is significantly ramped up from a typical practice. And the starters got plenty of opportunity to go at it in that practice.

Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (1) reacts during the second half against the Utah Utes. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

I don’t think the Seahawks will be eager to put their most crucial players in a game, even if it’s just for a drive or two, just a couple days after that practice. Better to do this next week, in the natural flow of things, instead of putting these players through multiple gauntlets in a short period of time when you don’t need to.

3) Tough Decisions Abound

There’s still so much to sort out on the back end of this roster. We’ve got at least one close call to make on the offensive line, maybe two. There’s a lot to sort out in the receiver room after Jake Bobo’s injury, with four or five players fighting for two spots. The cornerback depth is jumbled, and preseason reps can help sort it out. And there’s plenty more.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

I do think that you’ll see a little bit more than you did against the Dallas Cowboys. Jadarian Price might play, and that would be at least one more starter than we had last week, for instance. But overall, anticipate the second, third, and fourth stringers to get the action once again.

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