Seahawks Press

Top Takeaway

Safety Julian Love officially declared that the Seahawks are rejecting a complacent “running it back” championship mentality for 2026, choosing instead to pivot to a growth mindset of “running it forward”. Love emphasized that despite coming off last season’s Super Bowl run, the locker room is treating this year as a fresh climb from the bottom of the mountain where everyone has a target on their back.

Press Conferences & Interviews

Julian Love | Safety · Julian Love: “We Have To Try To Level Up In Certain Ways” | Seattle Seahawks Julian Love brought a mix of veteran confidence and sharp, competitive edge to the podium, reacting with amusement to Rams rival Puka Nacua explicitly “name-dropping” him in the media by stating Nacua’s dislike only proves Love’s physical, on-field edge. Love defined the team’s official 2026 philosophy as “running it forward,” explaining that defending a title is a trap and they must constantly level up rather than stagnate. He also shared some lighthearted locker-room insight, describing cornerback Devon Witherspoon as incredibly frugal (“Spoon doesn’t pay for anything”) but praising him as a consummate professional who is completely accountable and respected by everyone. Love’s overall tone was candid and highly focused, showing that the locker room is fully embracing the challenge of joint practices and playing with a championship target on their backs.

“Running It Forward” Highlight · The Seahawks are running it forward in 2026. This focused clip centers entirely on safety Julian Love defining the cultural mindset of the Seahawks’ 2026 campaign. Love highlights that the team is rejecting the standard “running it back” approach in favor of a growth mindset, stating that they are at the “bottom of the mountain again” and must actively progress rather than try to defend their past achievements. He urges that the team must “level up in certain ways” both on and off the field to challenge whoever lines up against them. The tone in this highlight is highly intentional, laying out Mike Macdonald’s core philosophy for keeping the roster hungry.

Grey Zabel | Offensive Lineman · Grey Zabel: “We Love Going Against Competition And We Don’t Stray Away From It” | Seattle Seahawks Entering his second year, offensive lineman Grey Zabel was fired up about matching up with Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons in upcoming joint practices, calling it a premier “marker stick” to evaluate the unit’s progress. Zabel spoke highly of offensive line coach John Benton’s coaching, noting a “method to his madness” that includes creative off-field bonding techniques like using Google Earth during meetings. He credited Benton with lifting him out of a heavy “rookie fog” after a rough start in last year’s OTAs, helping him slow the game down and play fast. Zabel also praised new coach Brian Flurry’s “run-first mentality” and demanding standards, while sharing a laugh about the O-line’s fine system which has rookie “Bo” enduring full rookie duties as the “rookie hype machine”.

Grey Zabel | Competition vs. Titans · “We love going against competition and we don’t stray away from it” - Grey Zabel This short segment spotlights Grey Zabel’s mindset regarding the physical test of joint practices in Nashville. Zabel shows zero hesitation about facing the Titans’ formidable defensive front and specifically All-Pro three-technique Jeffrey Simmons, declaring that the Seahawks “love going against competition and we don’t stray away from it”. He explains that facing this caliber of opponent is vital because going against elite talent helps the offense diagnose and correct their weaknesses at a rapid rate. The tone is hungry and physical, echoing the relentless competitive identity that coach Mike Macdonald demands upfront.

Injury & Roster Updates

While no physical injuries were mentioned, roster and status updates focused on Arnold, who is expected to be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Julian Love noted that while Arnold will not be able to practice or play, they hope to keep him close as part of the team culture. Love also discussed welcoming a newly arrived player (transcribed in camp notes as ‘carry carry on’ but widely expected to be a key roster addition), stating that the locker room is excited to get him rolling and learn more about his story.

Reading Between the Lines

• Complacency is the Enemy: Julian Love’s focus on “running it forward” and Grey Zabel’s excitement to go against All-Pro Jeffrey Simmons show a team that is actively avoiding the “post-championship hangover”. Instead of resting on their laurels, the leaders are treating the upcoming road trip to Nashville as an opportunity to expose their deficiencies.
• Unlocking the Ground Game: Zabel’s high praise for Brian Flurry’s “run-first mentality” indicates a physical scheme identity that will define the 2026 offense. Backed by John Benton’s “method to his madness” and a tight-knit O-line culture (complete with a lighthearted fine system and rookie hazing), the Hawks are building their offense from the trenches up.
• Locker-Room Chemistry and Accountability: The playful but respectful remarks from Love about Devon Witherspoon’s frugality show an incredibly tight, high-trust locker room. When players can rib their highest-paid stars while simultaneously praising their elite accountability, it signals a strong, self-policing culture that is built to withstand a grueling season.

🎧 This would make an incredible audio briefing if you want a quick, podcast-style summary of today’s pressers to listen to on your commute.