‘Our style of football’: Can Kubiak’s offense hit the ground running?

“It was our style of football” – Sam Darnold after a 268-yard rushing game in a 33-16 win over Kansas City

When Klint Kubiak arrived in New Orleans last year, he created a surprising early-season juggernaut that probably would have continued in similar style if the Saints’ top offensive players had not started dropping like flies.

That surely is one of the things that drew Mike Macdonald to Kubiak, who is from one of the NFL’s legacy coaching trees.

The Saints scored 91 points and ran for 370 yards in the first two games of 2024. He now has brought his versatile scheme and run-first philosophy to Macdonald’s Seahawks – and the preseason returns forecast a similar explosion for Seattle out of the gate in three weeks.

Seattle’s 33-16 win over Kansas City on Friday showed the very best of Kubiak’s offense. The Hawks followed up a 170-yard rushing performance against Las Vegas with 268 yards vs. the Chiefs.

As Sam Darnold said after his Seahawks debut, “It was our style of football.”

The offensive line, which was a mix of first- and second-teamers, dominated the Chiefs (playing six or seven starters) on two series. Josh Jones (No. 2 LT), Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell (No. 1B center), Anthony Bradford and Abe Lucas paved the way for 120 ground yards and two touchdowns. Darnold completed all four passes on a variety of plays – left, right, middle, play action, bootleg, etc.

Balance, power, movement, misdirection, creativity, efficiency, attitude, touchdowns … https://t.co/lBA6ECjYIX
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) August 16, 2025

It was everything we could have hoped to see out of the first-team offense – hopefully a huge sign of things to come when the Hawks open the season against the 49ers on Sept. 7.

“Just really pleased with how we started the game,” Macdonald said. “Right now our offensive operation I’m very pleased with.”

Julian Love added his perspective from the other side: “It’s really encouraging. I don’t think you can script it better on offense in terms of the flow of how we want to play.”

Here’s our take on the offensive position groups three weeks before the season begins, with one preseason game (at Green Bay) remaining.

Quarterback

As Jake Bobo said of Darnold, “Ever since he got here, he’s just been the dude.”

Darnold was “really sharp,’’ Macdonald said. “I’m sure he wanted to keep going, but you know he showed what he can do. Really great drive.’’

Drew Lock again played most of the first half, plus the first series of the third quarter, and he looked even better than he had vs. the Raiders. He completed 10 of 12 passes and hit Bobo for two second-quarter touchdowns.

Jalen Milroe again finished up, playing with the third team against the Chiefs’ third team. He had a rough night, missing a couple of plays in the red zone that could have been touchdowns. He also didn’t razzle dazzle with his feet, getting just 18 yards on five runs. Kubiak did use him as a gadget QB for a third-down play on the first drive though.

“I thought he did well,’’ Macdonald said. “There’s some things operationally we still want to improve on. A couple throws right there in the red zone could have been a little bit more on target.”

The pecking order at QB is incredibly clear — Milroe has a long way to go to even approach the sphere where Darnold and Lock are right now. But it is clear Kubiak will find uses for him as the season goes on. The Hawks have a really nice QB situation.

Running back

As Ken Walker III continues to rest a sore foot, Zach Charbonnet showed once again (like he did in 2024) that he is a more than capable replacement starter. He gained 45 yards on five carries, scoring from 15 through a big hole.

George Holani averaged nearly 10 yards on his five totes, and rookies Damien Martinez and Jacardia Wright both got chances as well. Martinez was more involved in this game, running 11 times for 50 yards and scoring from the 1 in the third quarter.

Holani, who also returned three kicks for 73 yards, seems to have the upper hand on Martinez. But perhaps the Hawks will keep four tailbacks, a hedge against Walker not being available at some point.

Wide receiver

Bobo was the big star in this one, scoring on a short middle screen and a fade along the right end zone sideline. He also returned a punt 20 yards, leading Macdonald to say he could factor there.

“Man, this guy is a Seahawk the way he operates,” Macdonald said.

Bobo is locked in a battle for the fourth and fifth spots with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Cody White, Dareke Young and Ricky White III. MVS, who will cost close to $4 million if he is on the team and $3 million if he is not, has shown nothing in preseason. But Macdonald said he has been practicing very well lately.

So, if MVS is No. 4 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and rookie Tory Horton, then Bobo is battling White and Young for the fifth spot. Special teams would factor greatly – and all three have shown their ability there. That could lead to two or maybe all three sticking.

Tight end

The tight ends were a great part of the success in the running game. Elijah Arroyo caught two passes, Eric Saubert helped spring Charbs on his TD jaunt and Brady Russell was all over the place. With Russell’s special-teams import, it seems likely that all four guys (led by A.J. Barner) will make the club.

Offensive line

Zabel played a stellar game, with big runs coming behind him. Jones was very stout filling in for Charles Cross at left tackle, and the rest of the group looked good, too. Lucas is back to 100 percent and anchoring that right side very well.

“Our offensive line dominated really most of the game, which is always great to see,” Darnold said.

Center is still a weak point. Sundell has been starting because Olu Oluwatimi has a back injury. But, if Bradford has taken a step, he and Zabel should support the center enough to mitigate that apparent weakness.