Do not turn the ball over. That is key. New Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold had his introductory press conference with the team this week, and while he has a clear idea of what he wants to do moving forward, he likely also gave insight into what general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald truly want from the team.
The fact is that Seattle has spent more money and had a higher priority on who to sign defensively this offseason. The offense? Well, let's just hope they score enough to win low-scoring games. Darnold even gave away the farm in his press conference when he name-dropped Seahawks punter Michael Dickson.
He stated several times that one of his keys was not to turn the ball over. If a drive fails then Dickson will get to do his job. That is all the real truth, but it might not be exactly what most fanbases want to hear. Many want to have their favorite team's starting quarterback say, "We are going to be explosive and outscore the other team."
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold leaks the truth in introductory press conference
That is not the case in Seattle, and everything the team has done this offseason has shown that. Previous starting quarterback Geno Smith was traded, and so was alpha receiver DK Metcalf. Veteran Tyler Lockett? He is gone, too. At least Seattle signed Darnold and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
But the defense? Seattle spent the money needed to bring back linebacker Ernest Jones IV. Defensive tackle Jarran Reed re-signed, too. The team also signed former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency. If Seattle is going to win at a high level, it is the defense that is going to lead the way, and Darnold knows it.
That is not a bad thing. The quarterback knows he cannot risk poor decisions. The Seahawks likely know they could have made the playoffs last year had Geno Smith not had some atrocious throws in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams. Smith led the NFL in red-zone interceptions last year. It hurt the team. Darnold, hopefully, will not do that.
In essence, John Schneider is hoping to replicate what the Seahawks did in the early 2010s. The offense needs to be efficient, but the defense needs to win games. The team is becoming one in the image of head coach Mike Macdonald, and it should. 12s should get used to seeing a bunch of ugly games, but ones where Seattle wins most of the time and Michael Dickson gets to punt a lot.
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