Seattle Seahawks Stun NFL with Game-Changing Trade: How the New Roster Alters the 2025 Playoff Picture

RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks have wrapped up Day 4 of 2025 training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, and Saturday’s practice produced several early-season storylines that should excite 12s counting the days until Week 1. Sam Darnold sharpening red-zone attack For the second straight day, new starting quarterback Sam Darnold looked decisive in tight quarters, firing touchdown strikes to second-year tight end AJ Barner and rookie Elijah Arroyo during a red-zone period that saw the offense go 4-for-5 inside the 20. Darnold’s timing with his tight ends is notable because new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme leans heavily on quick, play-action throws to the middle of the field—a weakness for Seattle last season. Interior line shuffle continues Head coach Mike Macdonald isn’t handing the starting center job to Olu Oluwatimi just yet. Former UConn guard Christian Haynes took first-team reps at center for the second practice this week, while rookie Jalen Sundell rotated in at right guard. Expect the competition to remain open through the first preseason game, but the staff clearly wants to identify its best five before joint practices with the Chargers in mid-August. Secondary stealing the spotlight All-Pro nickel Julian Love blew up an inside run for a loss and rookie safety Nick Emmanwori swatted away a goal-line pass intended for Cooper Kupp, continuing a camp trend of splash plays from a defensive backfield that already boasts Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen. The Seahawks finished 10th in takeaways last fall; Macdonald believes this group can reach top-five with better communication in the new split-safety looks borrowed from his Baltimore playbook. Tory Horton’s rapid rise Fifth-round rookie receiver Tory Horton missed most of OTAs with a hamstring tweak, but he’s stacking standout practices. Saturday he high-pointed a Drew Lock corner route for six and later separated on a deep over route in two-minute work. With DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba commanding coverage, Horton could push for WR4 snaps and immediate special-teams duty. Kenny McIntosh injury scare The lone dark cloud was a non-contact right-knee injury suffered by second-year running back Kenny McIntosh during kickoff return drills. Trainers helped him off before he was carted to the locker room for imaging. The former Georgia star battled knee issues as a rookie, and any extended absence would increase reps for UDFA George Holani and rookie Damien Martinez. Why it matters for 2025 The Seahawks’ revamped roster is younger (league-low average age of 25.1) yet suddenly more experienced at quarterback with Darnold replacing Geno Smith. Offensive efficiency inside the 20, depth along the I-OL, and turnover margin all ranked bottom-third in 2024—three areas already trending up through four practices. What’s next Players are off Sunday before pads come on Monday, when trench play becomes evaluable and the center battle could separate. Fans with tickets for July 29 should arrive early; Macdonald confirmed the session will feature a live-tackling goal-line period—a first under his tenure. Quick hits • Top pick Byron Murphy II has taken every first-team snap at 3-tech, a hint that veteran Jarran Reed may rotate more at nose this season. • Free-agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling hauled in a 40-yard go-ball from Jalen Milroe, flashing the vertical dimension the staff coveted. • Jason Myers drilled six straight from 50+ after a career-high 91.7 FG% last year. With positive momentum on both sides of the ball and a day of rest ahead, Seattle appears poised to turn a strong camp start into a statement preseason.