What is, and is not concerning, after Seahawks joint practice with Titans
The Super Bowl champs are going to have to learn to operate with a target on their back everywhere they go. That includes the campus of Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. On Friday, the Seattle Seahawks took part in a joint practice session with the Tennessee Titans.
If you pay attention to the Titans players and the Titans beat writers, they feel encouraged that they stood tall against the defending champions.
If ever there was a fanbase that needed their team to just put in a good showing in a joint practice against the World Champs, it was us lol
- Two Tone Talk (@twotone_podcast) August 21, 2026
The Tennessean reports that, The Seahawks' first-team offense only found the end zone twice across 10 periods of best-versus-best work." Those weren't the only periods that comprised practice, and, to quote the original A.I., we are talking about practice.
Here's what Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald had to say: I think we're going to watch the tape and like a lot of things we saw, and then we're going to watch the tape and not like some things," he said. It's kind of par for the course, but I think it's a great opportunity. You're going against a different operation, different run schemes, different pass game, play our rules out, just kind of go play ball. And so, there's some things that are off the top of my head that are not above the line, which we'll attack those and get those things figured out. But overall, I thought it was a good day."
Despite all of the Titans propaganda, here is how I categorize all of the reports.
Not worried- Cam Ward and the Titans offense was effective in the red zone and 2-minute.
- Apparently, they made it an emphasis to work the short game. If teams have to resort to dump offs and quick hitters, that might play into The Dark Side's" hands. This stop unit played zone defense at a 72% rate, and zone defense leaves spacing for short throws. It sometimes necessitates a patient passer.
- Nick Emmanwori will be back, this team plays with swarming pursuit and more complex blitzes and drops will come back to the arsenal come the regular season. For what it's worth, the Seahawks defense did record at least two sacks" and a Ty Okada pick-6 against Ward in this practice.
- The Titans offensive line cleared room for the run game to thrive against the Hawks.
- During the time of Pete Carroll, run defense was an up-and-down proposition: elite during the L.O.B. days, and declining steadily over time. Pass defense was commonly on point, but the threat of being gashed on the ground was ever-present. Mike Macdonald seems to have fortified rush defense in his short amount of time on the job. It has been consistently dominant since Ernest Jones IV arrived on the scene.
- Drake Thomas is very good, and Tyrice Knight is waiting in the wings. Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams are studs in the middle. Joint practice struggles" in drills that are not fully live, in 90 degree weather (with humidity) have me completely unconcerned.
- Jake Bobo sustains long-term injury.
- Positive vibes going out to Jake Bobo, a consummate Seahawk. Not worried from the Seahawks' perspective: Cody White and Montorie Foster Jr. seem to be good bets as wideouts who have made plays and can block. Ricky White III, Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Rashad Rochelle offer special teams value as well. You just have to feel bad for Bobo.
- Bobo has worked hard, had a great attitude and, by all indications, seems to be loved by his teammates. Darnold said, He works, talks a lot of... stuff. He's just one of those - kind of like Spoon, in a way, offensively. He brings the juice, every single day. He just does his job." Wishing a speedy recovery to J.B., and that he comes back mentally and physically strong.
- The Tennessee defense was effective against Seattle in the red area.
- New OC, Brian Fleury has a new offense to establish and master. Red zone scoring requires speed, physicality, decisiveness and crispness of operation. Hoping to see progress in this area as the next couple of preseason contests commence.
- Titans defenders pressured Darnold often.
- Darnold said, their 4-man rushes are really, really good." That's without first-round pick Keldric Faulk out there, as well. This team will go as far as the offensive line can improve. Development from the interior three of Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, and Anthony Bradford is expected, and health from the OT's is the goal.
- Ty Okada's Pick-6 on former Coug (and and former No. 1 overall pick) Cam Ward comes against Carnell Tate (this year's No. 4 overall pick).
- Macdonald talked up Ty, saying, He's got a ton of confidence, and he's taken on more of a leadership role." Adding later, from my stance, he's playing really good football."
- Ernest Jones IV explained that, as a linebacker, You depend on Ty - you know Ty is going to be where he needs to be."
- George Holani procured a wheel route TD with starting corner, Cor'Dale Flott in coverage.
- Holani has Super Bowl experience as a pass protector and may just be getting into his bag as a 3rd down back. Holani and Velus Jones Jr. both produced TD catches out of the backfield, and there was this from John Boyle: [Jadarian] Price had multiple catches in the practice". *Coach Fleury deviously licks his chops from a shady corner of the visiting sidelines*.
That's six for 36. @GeorgeHolanipic.twitter.com/mE3O8wPrJX
- Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 21, 2026
Another one of the wilder parts of it all was how a team who is known for being aggressive and physical didn't give into brawling all practice (like the Saints and Cowboys). Byron Murphy II may have almost started a scuffle after taking down running back, Tyjae Spears, but there were no viral moments.
The head man isn't afraid to chew out a player on the field. Mike Macdonald made sure that was an emphasis for today's business trip.
If you play starters in a preseason game, you're looking at maybe upwards of 20 reps, but now you're getting upwards of 40 or 50 really good physical reps, but in a more controlled environment, which is a positive for everybody. But you got to nail the execution. It takes both clubs to work together. It takes both teams to work together. There's a lot of logistics involved. And so that's why I think why I'm so pleased is just it took everybody kind of pushing in the same direction to get it done today."
Jones IV said, We didn't come here to fight, man. I've been telling guys, we came here to work, man. We want good work. We want to see where we're at, see where our defense is at, see where our offense is at."
This team really is focused and out to take care of their mission. M.O.B., after all.
Sunday should be fun, even if the starters don't get a ton of run. These two teams had a nice and physical introduction to one another and will get more work for some of the less established players in the second preseason game for both clubs.