Preseason is over. Real games are next. What did we learn?

The next time the Seattle Seahawks take to the field it will be for real.

The Hawks wrapped up their preseason with a 9-9 tie against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team we'll see at Lumen Field for a Sunday Night Football matchup in late October.

For now, in August, it was a matchup largely featuring backup players who are fighting for roster spots and depth chart position.

Which leads me to the point of this story.

What can we, or did we, learn about the Seahawks this preseason?

After all, the offensive and defensive starters didn't play much or even at all in most cases, so the outcomes of these games (two losses and a tie) aren't really at all indicative of what we'll see on September 9th.

So, again:

What did we learn?

I've told whoever would listen, the thing that impressed me most about the Seahawks this summer at training camp was the fact that it felt like any other training camp.

In other words, you'd never tell this was the Super Bowl champs save for the talent on the field.

They did not care.

They did not change.

Added distractions were possible with the constant presence of HBO's Hard Knocks gathering incredibly riveting content but they never crept in, never changed this team for a second.

And that's the sign of a championship team.

Every drill, every rep felt like a team hungrier than ever. One that isn't coming off the dream of winning it all.

And, back to Hard Knocks, I think my favorite part about the show is that the team the country is watching now is the one that anyone who's at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center sees every day.

Real, authentic.

They really do play for one another and truly understand that if they are to compete for a repeat, it will take an effort exactly like we've seen so far.

The culture is real and will keep this team as a contender for years to come.

It's harder than it looks to kick a football

Some would argue that Jason Myers had a very strong case to be Super Bowl XL MVP.

No discredit to the performance of Kenneth Walker III, but Myers was a perfect 5/5 on field goal attempts helping the Seahawks methodically pull away before the offense and defense each scored a touchdown.

And who could forget that Colts game in December where all the points came from six Myers field goals in an 18-16 win.

As reliable as they come.

So, with Myers and punter Michael Dickson being the only 'starters' playing the entire time, it's a little surprising to see Myers preseason kicking numbers

2/4 on field goals and much more concerning 1/3 on extra points.

Now, again, it is the preseason and I would still fully expect Myers to be on point on September 9.

If anything I think this sheds light on how just impressive it was that Myers felt automatic in 2025.

While not anticipated, it's worth watching to see if this is something that creeps into the regular season. Not anticipated because of just how good Myers has been for so long and of course, because the Seahawks have arguably the best Special Teams Coordinator in Jay Harbaugh.

With the previously stated caveat that almost all the starters didn't play a snap, there's something to be said for the improvement that we did see.

It was quite obvious that this team, even if it was 2nd- and 3rd-stringers, got better with each game. Jalen Milroe's growth over the three games was wildly apparent.

Drew Lock was good in the first preseason game and absolutely outstanding in the second.

The growth can be measured in young players getting their first experiences on the field or even veterans making a return. Recently signed corner Treyvon Diggs stepped back on the field and made an interception in his first action.

The point is, regardless of the player or experience level, there was an easily evident common theme.

The Seahawks coach the heck out of their guys, and there's just always growth.

I was struck by Emanuel Henderson Jr.'s game against the Chiefs, along with Montorie Foster Jr. whose story has been well documented by Hard Knocks.

Now the Seahawks have the difficult decision of figuring out which 53 players make the roster and who will be the 17 after that on the practice squad.

It's a decision made more unique by devastating injuries to key players like Jake Bobo, Bud Clark, and Mason Richman, but one that will be aided by the growth we've seen all summer.

Next Stop: Regular season.