While NFL fans can celebrate the return of football with tonight’s kickoff to a full weekend of preseason action, many will have to wait a bit longer to see their favorite stars on the field. Most teams choose to rest their starters early in the preseason to avoid injury.
The Seattle Seahawks face the Las Vegas Raiders tonight in their first preseason game, but will big-name additions like quarterback Sam Darnold, one of the team’s major free agent signings, take the field? Here’s everything to know about Seattle’s plans for their preseason opener.
Are the Seahawks Starters Playing Tonight?
The short answer is no. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that most of the team’s starters will sit out tonight’s game. However, Macdonald mentioned in a press conference that some of the team’s younger players would get playing time against the Raiders.
“It’s not like, ‘Hey, we’re taking the 22 guys that are penciled in with the ones and they’re not playing.’ It’s kind of selected guys,” Macdonald said.
So while players like quarterback Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba may not take the field, several of the team’s rookies will. That includes first-round pick Grey Zabel on the offensive line and second-round pick safety Nick Emmanwori, both of whom are expected to see action tonight.
It’s a positive sign that some of the rookies will get meaningful reps, as it gives them valuable experience facing real NFL competition instead of just taking snaps in training camp.
With Darnold sitting out, the Seahawks plan to split quarterback duties between veteran backup Drew Lock and 2025 third-round pick Jalen Milroe, who will be making his NFL debut tonight.
There are a lot of new faces on the Seahawks this season after several longtime veterans left the organization.
Read More: Is Sam Darnold Playing in Seahawks-Raiders Week 1 Preseason Game? Latest on the QB’s Status
Quarterback Geno Smith was traded to the Raiders, who happen to be Seattle’s opponent tonight. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett also moved on during the offseason.
While the starters will not play tonight, head coach Macdonald said in the press conference that he plans to start most of them in the team’s second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, August 15, 2025. He noted that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid often plays his starters in the preseason, which factored into Seattle’s approach.
“Coach Reid, they have a history of playing their starters in the game, so our guys will have an opportunity to go next week,” MacDonald said.
So while the Seahawks starters may not take the field in their preseason opener, fans can expect to see them in action during week two.
