Week 1 is just a few short days away, and you know what that means: the initial batch of Seattle Seahawks game captains has been announced.
Sam Darnold, Brady Russell, and Leonard Williams will be the first group of captains for the 2025 Seattle Seahawks. Most notably, Darnold played for the rival San Francisco 49ers back in 2023, signing with San Francisco in free agency and serving as Brock Purdy’s backup for much of the year. Darnold did not re-sign for 2024, instead opting for a one-year deal
with the Minnesota Vikings.
This will be Darnold’s second matchup against the Niners since he initially left in free agency in the 2024 offseason; he last faced San Francisco in Week 2 of last season, helping the Vikings to a 23-17 victory. 2024 was perhaps Darnold’s best season as a full-time starter, going 14-3 as a starter as Minnesota reached the postseason.
Darnold will be entering his first regular season start as a Seahawk, having obtained a sliver of preseason action in a 33-16 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 15. His first regular season start will be an important one, as this game will likely have NFC West implications later on in the year in addition to being a revenge match versus one of Darnold’s former squads.
Russell and Williams do not have any previous ties to the 49ers, but they have served as captains together in the past. Both players made multiple appearances as captains for Seattle in 2024, with both appearing as captains in last year’s Week 5 matchup vs. the New York Giants.
Week 1 of the Seahawks’ 50th season begins on Sunday at 1:05 PM PT.
