After a bitter ending to the home opener for the Seattle Seahawks, the team in white and wolf grey came back to produce a much sweeter product in Week 2. It’s all part of an annual reminder to not judge teams based on one game. The gathering of additional empirical data teaches us more and more about the 2025 Seahawks.
The Hawks finally looked like a team that could move the ball on offense, and put the clamps on any threat of an aerial assault by old man, Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, PA.
DK Metcalf’s
revenge game did not come to pass after all… instead it was another playmaker who stole the spotlight and allowed Seattle to savor a win. Let’s dive into the Winners and Losers!
Winners
Kenneth Walker III
After being banished to the shadow realm (the bench) in the minds of a lot of 12’s, K9 burst back onto the scene with a vengeance! Walker was tearing off chunk gains with regularity and stuck a dagger in the heart of the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 19-yard weaving TD run. KWIII racked up 105 rushing yards at 8.1 yards per carry, the score and a 13-yard catch to remind everyone how explosive he is when he gets a crease. Let him and Charbonnet switch off to see who will carry the day against each specific team, I say!
Byron Murphy II
It’s here everyone, we finally made it! Byron Murphy has arrived and is finally making a mark in the pass rush. No more nose tackle snaps, right? He’ll probably still contribute on that level, but to see him hunting QB’s is a beautify thing. Murph was Seattle’s third leading tackler (5) on the day, put in 1.5 sacks, a TFL and provided at least one other pressure just for the heck of it.
Jarran Reed
The whole starting interior of the defensive line ate today. J-Reed came up with a sack and a TFL of his own in the box score. He and Murph were big factors in keeping the Steelers below 75 yards rushing.
Josh Jobe
Jobe had multiple instances of tight coverage against DK Metcalf, helping to hold him to 20 yards through the air. Does this justify the trade out? Maybe not quite, but impressive work from the former UDFA corner. Jobe also made a big hit along the sidelines that got his teammates hyped up. There may be a new bully on the block.
Sam Darnold
Darnold’s second game as a Seahawk didn’t immediately clear up a ton of hesitancy among the Seahawks’ fan base. Darnold tossed 2 INTs, but the difference between he and Rodgers is that Darnold matched that total with 2 TDs as well. He did make some timely throws and recorded a solid QB Rating of 89.8, while helping Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp to 103 yards and 90 yards receiving (respectively). Tory Horton and A.J. Barner got in the end zone with Darnold passes in hand. It was far from perfect, but here’s to hoping this helps to build confidence and development in new OC, Klint Kubiak’s new system on offense.
Derion Kendrick
The final winner could’ve been a few different guys, but Kendrick deserves credit for stepping up on a day when Seattle’s secondary was missing both Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori. After being in position to defend a pass (and drop an interception), Kendrick came down with a desperate Rodgers heave in the red zone!
Losers
Zach Charbonnet
After causing a stir as the clear RB1 in the season’s opening match, Charbs could not keep the train rolling in the direction of a backfield coup. He took 15 attempts on the ground for 10 yards. All 12’s have now seen what he can do now, but he has a capable running mate in Ken Walker.
Jason Myers
Sure, Myers made a 54-yarder… but he also absolutely DOINKED a field goal from 36 yards out. Can Seattle rely on Jason in high pressure games?
Tyrice Knight
He may still be working his way back from injury, but Knight was largely responsible for a meandering 65-yard catch and run (the longest of the day from the yellow and black) by Jaylen Warren. Not only did he get burned but missed the tackle that would’ve ended the play. Not a great look from a mobile linebacker. Mike Macdonald immediately inserted Drake Thomas into the lineup after that play, although Knight did return later on.
Uchenna Nwosu
It’s a relief to see Nwosu back in the pass rushing rotation, but the rust showed. He didn’t seem to put a ton of pressure on the passer and also lined up offsides on a free play that led to Metcalf’s first catch of the day. Hopefully better days ahead for the Nigerian nightmare.
Riq Woolen
There was already talk of Woolen’s job security being in jeopardy after the 49ers game the previous week, but the injuries in the secondary necessitated his involvement today. He got called for a hold on Calvin Austin on 3rd down, allowing the Steelers to get into 3-point range.
Klint Kubiak
This isn’t about last week… but Klint Kubiak was already getting the side-eye after abandoning the play-action game in the season opener. What was that 4th and 1 call, though!? a play-action rollout, Klint? All 12’s are glad you remembered that portion of the offensive strategy, but not on short yardage, got to have it!
