The Seattle Seahawks might have lost the opener to their 2025 season, but there were some promising takeaways. The defense wasn't terrible, even though it needed to adjust after rookie Nick Emmanwori was injured. The offense was an issue, though.
The team needs to run the ball better, and that was supposed to be a tentpole for this season's success. If that doesn't happen, the offense is doomed. In Week 1, Seattle's Week 2 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, gave up nearly 200 yards rushing against a bad New York Jets team. Surely, Seattle can run well against Pittsburgh. That's the hope.
Defensively, however, the team had several standouts against the San Francisco 49ers. One was unexpectedly great. Cornerback Josh Jobe got more of a chance to play in 2024, did well, and was re-signed this offseason.
Josh Jobe could be the best free agent move the Seattle Seahawks made in 2025
Seahawks general manager John Schneider was not aggressive in trying to sign a free agent at cornerback this offseason, which meant Jobe was going to have a good chance to be the third corner in three conrerback sets. Otherwise, Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon would be the players on the field.
Jobe, though, not only played exceptionally well in Week 1, but he also outplayed Woolen. When the 49ers needed to take a chance on their final drive of the game (one that ended in a game-winning touchdown due to two blown plays by Woolen), they didn't target Jobe.
That could be because San Francisco hadn't been able to beat him earlier in the game. Jobe was targeted five times, but allowed just one completion for one yard. He also had an impressive interception in tight coverage. Plus, he was involved on four tackles and didn't miss any.
Asked Mike Macdonald about #Seahawks CB Josh Jobe's readiness: "This time last year he wasn’t playing for us...There’s a consistency there that you respect. He’s earned these opportunities...really cool.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 10, 2025
“If you were the coach of a team, wouldn’t you want it to work like that?"
A question that might develop as the season grows old is if Jobe continues to play well and Woolen continues to make atrocious mistakes whether the Seattle Seahawks will begin putting Jobe in more on two cornerback sets instead of Woolen.
Maybe Jobe can't play at the same level as Week 1. Or possibly he is one of the many players who take a second-year leap in Mike Macdonald's system. As opposed to Riq Woolen, who appears to rely more on his raw physical ability, Josh Jobe's game is grounded in scheme. He is succeeding, and Woolen isn't through just one game of the season.
The Seahawks have a good problem if Woolen reverts to form. Jobe and Woolen could both be productive players in 2025. Josh Jobe appears to already be well on his way to being so for the Seahawks.