3 quick takeaways from Seahawks loss to Steelers preseason game 1

The Seahawks played the Steelers in Seattle’s first preseason game of 2022 and we learned a lot about the possible future of the team.

Most of what we learned from the Seahawks versus Steelers, to be honest, wasn’t overly great. Seattle lost 32-25. The young guys looked like young guys and don’t yet appear ready to help the team be really good in 2022. Still, the Seahawks were in a position to have a chance to win by the end of the third period.

At least neither Seahawks quarterback looked atrocious but more on that in a minute. At least the offensive line, with rookie Charles Cross at left tackle, looked more comfortable as the game grew on.

But what are some things we might take away from Seattle’s first preseason game of the year? The three that follow are a starter.

The Seahawks had several things that stood out in preseason game 1

The young corners aren’t ready yet

Early in the game, the Steelers picked on Tariq Woolen and were successful. Pittsburgh’s first touchdown drive ended when Woolen completely misunderstood what his coverage assignment was and that left a Steelers receiver wide open for an easy touchdown pass. That kind of thing could cost a game for the Seahawks once the real season begins.

Coby Bryant played a bit better as the game worse on and maybe that’s a positive sign but he also got beat for a touchdown. The issue was the quarterback was Mason Rudolph for Pittsburgh and he isn’t good. It was a corner route in the end zone and one-on-one coverage so it was the scheme that beat Bryant, it was the throw. Against a good quarterback, Bryant wouks have looked silly.

This was just the first game against a team not wearing a Seahawks uniform for Bryant and Woolen but they only have a month to prepare for Week 1 of the regular season and that seems too soon.

Seahawks seem set on Geno Smith being QB1 but why?

The Steelers, also facing a battle for QB1 in 2022, rotated quarterbacks in the first half. Seattle, supposedly with the same quarterback battle, didn’t. Honestly, I don’t understand it. When Drew Lock came into the game in the second half, he looked good. Well, at least as good as Geno Smith.

Yet, Smith definitely seems to be the one being groomed for starting quarterback reps. He took all of the snaps in the first half and didn’t look terrible but also didn’t look – and hasn’t looked – so much better than Lock that it’s clear to the casual observer he should be the starter for the Seahawks. But Pete Carroll is a casual observer, obviously, and appears to have made his decision that Smith is the starter in Week 1.

Seahawks tackling is an issue

While Seattle was without Jordyn Brooks and other presumed starters, the switch to a base of 3-4 from a 4-3 needs work. No matter what the base defense is, though, a successful NFL defense cannot afford – and does not have – missed tackles. Seattle missed a bunch of open field tackles in the first half which allowed Pittsburgh to extend drives.

And Pittsburgh’s final touchdown was due to a missed tackle 12 yards from the end zone where the Pittsburgh receiver shed the tackle and ran the ball into the end zone.

This turned a few Steelers drives into a bit of PTSD for Seahawks fans as Pittsburgh stayed on the field and scored points. This happened way too much in 2021 and helped lead to a 7-10 record for Seattle. Based on this one preseason game alone, nothing has changed in Seattle and that’s not good.