Seattle Seahawks open 2025 training camp with QB Sam Darnold and WR Cooper Kupp leading a new-look offense. Can a rebuilt O-line protect their new star?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The familiar faces are gone. No Geno, no DK, no Tyler. As rookies hit the field and veterans prepare to report to the VMAC, a new chapter for the Seattle Seahawks has truly begun. All eyes are on new quarterback Sam Darnold, fresh off a career year, as he takes the reins of an offense retooled with stars like Cooper Kupp and tasked with one mission: prove that this new-look team can contend right away.
4,319 yards and 35 TDs. That's the stat line new QB Sam Darnold is bringing to Seattle from his career-best season with the Vikings.
Sam Darnold isn't just the new guy; he's the guy who just cracked the NFL's Top 100 list. His spectacular 2024 season in Minnesota has set a high bar, and the Seahawks are betting he can replicate that magic in the Pacific Northwest. To do so, he'll need help. The team added a reliable, elite target in veteran Cooper Kupp, but the real story of this camp will be told in the trenches. The offensive line is under a microscope, with rookie Grey Zabel making a push for the starting left guard spot and a fierce battle brewing at center between Olu Oluwatimi and Jalen Sundell. Protecting Darnold is Priority A, B, and C for this coaching staff.
The front office is clearly all-in on its youth movement, and they're putting their money where their mouth is. Second-round pick Nick Emmanwori inked a massive four-year, $11.6 million contract that is fully guaranteed—a rare commitment that signals the team sees him as a foundational piece for years to come. This vote of confidence extends across the rookie class, who have been hard at work for days. The team also shrewdly navigated a potential issue with another key rookie, making a decision to ensure there would be no distractions heading into camp. It's a clear message: the focus is on football.
The news isn't all positive. The Seahawks will start camp without one of their defensive leaders, as linebacker Uchenna Nwosu was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list following offseason knee surgery. While the prognosis is good—he's expected back by Week 2 of the regular season—his absence creates a significant hole. This opens up a huge opportunity for other linebackers to prove their worth and earn snaps during camp. The pressure will also be on new veteran edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence to set the tone for the pass rush early and often.
As the rookies get acclimated and the veterans prepare to report on July 22, the storylines are set. Can the offensive line gel quickly enough to protect the team's biggest investment? Who will step up in Nwosu's absence? This is one of the most pivotal training camps in recent memory, and the answers we get over the next few weeks will tell us everything we need to know about the 2025 Seattle Seahawks.
