Sam Darnold is Under Center, and the Hawks are a Team Nobody Expected

Alright, 12s, it's early April, the regular season is rolling, and if you haven't checked the Seahawks roster lately, buckle up. Things are *different*. Sam Darnold is our quarterback, Cooper Kupp is on our roster, and a whole new era is kicking off at Lumen Field. We're talking fresh faces, fresh plays, and a whole lot of anticipation for our squad as the season gets underway. This isn't your older brother's Seahawks, folks, not by a long shot.

Seahawks Shockwave Rocks the Emerald City

Let's be real, the biggest story in the Emerald City right now is the sheer overhaul we've seen with our beloved Hawks. Sam Darnold, yeah, *that* Sam Darnold, is officially our quarterback. No more Geno Smith, no more the familiar, electrifying catches from DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett. Instead, we've got a completely new receiving corps stepping up, featuring Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and the undeniable talent of veteran Cooper Kupp. It's a massive shift, and frankly, it's wild to think about. New head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Brian Fleury are clearly in the driver's seat, building something completely different from the ground up. We're talking a totally fresh start from the top down. Kenneth Walker III's explosive runs, Coby Bryant's coverage, Riq Woolen's speed, Boye Mafe's pressure on the edge? All gone from this 2026 squad. This isn't just a minor tweak, it's a full-on transformation that demands our full attention. Every snap in this early season is going to be about seeing exactly who this new team is, and what they're truly capable of doing on the field.

Across Seattle: Mariners, Kraken, and Sounders Keep Pushing

While the Hawks are grabbing all the headlines, don't forget our other Seattle squads doing their thing. Over at T-Mobile Park, our Mariners have Julio Rodriguez patrolling center field and Cal Raleigh behind the dish, two absolute cornerstones. Their bat flips and big moments are what we live for, and we're ready for more of them. And across town, the Kraken's 2025-26 season is rolling with Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle as captain, Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, Berkly Catton, Kaapo Kakko, and Tye Kartye leading the forwards. On defense, we've got Adam Larsson, Vince Dunn, and Brandon Montour, with Joey Daccord in goal. These guys bring the energy to Climate Pledge Arena every single night. Even the Sounders are in action, with Cristian Roldan recently called up to the USMNT, and Jordan Morris making plays. It's a packed sports calendar, even if all eyes are on the massive changes for our football team. So, what's next? Every single game, especially for the Seahawks, is a discovery. We're watching a team form right before our eyes, with Sam Darnold under center and a whole new crew on offense and defense. Will this fresh start pay off? That's the question hanging over Lumen Field. Keep your eyes glued to our Kraken, Mariners, and Sounders too, as their seasons continue to unfold. We live for this, Seattle. Let's see what happens!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.