3 Seahawks who were too quiet versus the Chargers despite their snap counts

Preseason games can be exceedingly misleading because they might imply a team is better than they are. For instance, when the Detroit Lions went 0-16 in 2008, they were actually 4-0 in the preseason. Still, Seattle Seahawks fans hope that the team's defense is as good as it appeared versus the Los Angeles Chargers in preseason Week 1.

That could be the case, too. Seattle played their defensive starters on the first two series of the game and the Chargers did nothing. LA had two straight three-and-outs. Unlike in previous regular seasons, 12s probably thought, "Yeah, the defense is OK on third downs now."

Once the starters left the game and the backups came in then that allowed the backups a chance to shine and earn a roster spot. The three players that follow were far too quiet, however, even though they relatively got a lot of reps. This cannot be the case moving forward for them.

Three Seattle Seahawks who were far too quiet in preseason Week 1

Tight end AJ Barner

Barner led all tight ends with 32 snaps, but he didn't appear in the box score at all. He was not targeted by either Sam Howell or PJ Walker even though 10 of his reps were pass plays. He also did not grade very well, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in run-blocking. Maybe that is just a one-off inefficient performance, but one of Barner's greatest strengths is his ability to run-block.

He is going to make the roster as TE3 behind Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown because he was a fourth-round 2024 draft pick. In time, Barner should be a productive player. The issue against Los Angeles was he disappeared in his first action against another team and he was outplayed by fellow tight end Brady Russell.

Russell, who has had a fantastic training camp, caught all three of his targets and showed some wiggle on a run-and-catch for a 13-yard touchdown. The Seahawks might not want to keep four tight ends, but if Russell keeps playing the way he has ahead of the regular season, he will be difficult to keep off the team.

Safety Marquise Blair

Blair did not play anywhere in 2023 and he was a wash-out with the Seahawks once before. He doesn't lack in athletic ability, but he doesn't seem to understand technique and self-control goes a long way toward making an NFL roster. He can hit hard and he probably has enough speed to cover well, but he is simply too undisciplined.

Against the Chargers, Blair tied for the most snaps among safeties. 20 of his reps were in coverage. He recorded only one tackle and he also allowed a completion of 29 yards. That was Los Angeles' second-longest offensive play of the game. Blair is physically capable of playing football somewhere, but it shouldn't be with the Seahawks in 2024.

Edge rusher Nelson Ceaser

There were hopes that undrafted free agent Ceaser would come into training camp and show the league what they missed by not drafting him. He was productive in college and he was good against the run. He also has not had a bad training camp. One of his competitors for a roster spot, Darrell Taylor, has not proven he can stop the run in his career, so Ceaser might have stolen Taylor's spot with an outstanding preseason.

Unfortunately, he did not get off to a great start in Seattle's three preseason games. He played 20 snaps against LA and did not record a stat. Even if he did not get a sack but got a quarterback hurry, that would have shown the coaches something. Instead, he disappeared. That cannot happen in the next two preseason games.

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