Seahawks Biggest Winners, Losers and Role Changes From Preseason Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks learned a lot of their team after an up-and-down preseason week 2

Aug 23, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans safety Ammani Hooker (37) for a touchdown during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The start of preseason week two for the Seattle Seahawks wasn’t great. The Seahawks had intense practices coming off the previous preseason game loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Then the Seahawks started slow in their joint practice with the Tennessee Titans. They also lost wide receiver Jake Bobo for the year to a torn ACL in the process.

Seattle started the first half against the Titans on Sunday well before the third-string players gave away the lead. This game and week gave a lot for the Seahawks to think about as they head into the final week of preseason.

Biggest Winners

Aug 23, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Each position group faced challenges after a lackluster performance against the Cowboys. One group that benefited from the challenge was the second group of younger linebackers. Chris Paul Jr., Chazz Surratt and Connor O’Toole have been on the team for a few years, but they haven’t received many opportunities to shine.

In the game against the Titans, they were among the most productive players. Paul accounted for eight total tackles, six solo tackles and a tackle for loss. Surratt had five total tackles, with four solo, one sack and one tackle for loss. Finally, O’Toole had four total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. This should set up an exciting competition for one or two of them to make the 53-man roster.

Drew Lock showed why he deserved the second-string quarterback title with a solid performance Sunday night against the Titans. Lock completed 12-of-14 of his passes for 103 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of 121.1.

He took command of the offense and consistently drove the ball down-the-field against the Titans’ first-team defense. He rarely made mistakes, with only one of his incompletions being from a dropped pass.

Biggest Losers

Aug 23, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Mohamound Diabate (44) and linebacker Truman Jones (56) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This past week was difficult for many players, including some who needed a standout performance. Just as Lock showed he deserved the main backup quarterback spot, second-year dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe showed he was rightfully the No. 3 quarterback spot. After a rough performance against the Cowboys, Milroe needed to show more in his competition against Lock.

Instead, Milroe was one of the main reasons why the Seahawks blew a 16-3 lead at halftime. He was incapable of extending drives, making the throws when needed and made critical mistakes. He finished the game completing 6-of-11 of his passes for 52 yards, two interceptions and got sacked twice.

This week saw many backup and third-stringers step up for their spot on the 53-man roster. Power back Emanuel Wilson remains out with an injury, allowing other running backs to make a case for the third-string spot. Second-year running back Jacardi Wright not only overlapped Velus Jones on the depth chart after Sunday, but he is now a legitimate threat to Wilson.

Wright rushed for 81 yards on eight carries, including a 69-yard touchdown run against the Titans’ first-team defense. The longer Wilson remains out, the more players like Wright become threats for a roster spot.

Role Changes

Aug 23, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) makes a catch in front of Tennessee Titans running back Kalel Mullings (31) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Seahawks made a few changes against the Titans going into the game. One of them was the players who returned punts and kickoffs. Those players were veteran Cody White and rookie Emmanuel Henderson.

White had two decent kickoff returns, but made a terrible decision on a punt return that gave the Titans the ball deep in Seahawks’ territory. Henderson hesitated in one kickoff return, but was more consistent and didn’t turn the ball over.

With rookie Bud Clark out for multiple months with a broken ankle, the Seahawks stressed the importance of the next safety coming in. Veteran D’Anthony Bell stepped up and was all over the field. He played a good bit of safety and nickel throughout the game against the Titans.

He might have earned a spot on the roster because of Clark’s injury, but his experience and dynamic are significant for the Seahawks’ defense.

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