Seattle’s preseason opener against Las Vegas ended 23-23, a result that mattered less than what it revealed. Offense ran with tempo and variety, even when the box score won’t. George Helani flashed as a versatile back who could handle lead blocking, zone runs, and third-down duties, hinting at a potential third-down role in a crowded room. The red-zone and early-down rhythm looked aligned with Clint Kubiak’s early vision, featuring multiple personnel looks and a smoother flow than typical vanilla preseason fare.

On defense, depth at nose tackle and edge rusher showed a clearer path forward. Quinton Bohana notched a decisive tackle-for-loss, while Brandon Peely chipped in; both helped ease the Jonathan Henricks return timeline. Undrafted defenders like Jared Ivy and Conro Tulle impressed with disruption, and Jamie Sheriff’s absence due to injury shaded the depth chart at linebacker and edge. In the secondary, Shaquille Griffin’s status plus the rise of Josh Job and Nehemiah Pritchett underscored a mix of proven vets and promising youngsters as Seattle contends with roster-bubble decisions ahead of week one.

Corbin Smith’s 53-man projection leaned into Seattle’s three-QB plan, added a fourth running back, and kept a trio of top receivers in Smith-Njigba, Co op Cup?—and Horton, with Helani’s two-way capability earning a spot on both offense and special teams. The result is a roster that looks sturdy up front, uncertain at cornerback depth beyond the top four, and ready to push for timely contributions from a handful of undrafted players who could slip through waivers and land on the practice squad. The next preseason test against Kansas City should sharpen these decisions and clarify where Seattle’s edge lies as the countdown to Week 1 continues.