Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald Reveals Exhibition Roster Decisions and New QB Strategy for Dallas Game

The Seattle Seahawks return to Lumen Field for the first time since their NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams in January, hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game — but many of the team's key players will not suit up The News Tribune.
Coach Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury plan to change how Seattle handles its quarterbacks, Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe, in exhibition play this year Yahoo Sports.
Macdonald is keeping several key players off the field for the exhibition matchup against Dallas The Olympian. Preseason games often serve as auditions for roster hopefuls, not tune-ups for starters. That means fans at Lumen Field should expect a different-looking Seahawks lineup than the one that made a deep playoff run last season.
The team's approach follows a growing trend across the NFL. Top coaches are protecting their best players from preseason injury risk Tri-City Herald. Macdonald appears to be firmly in that camp as he heads into his second season leading Seattle.
Brian Fleury takes over as offensive coordinator this season, and he is already putting his stamp on how the Seahawks use their quarterbacks in the preseason Yahoo Sports. Drew Lock, a veteran backup, and Jalen Milroe, a younger option, are both expected to see action against Dallas. The question is how Fleury splits their reps.
Macdonald said the staff plans to change its approach to quarterback usage in these games compared to prior seasons ca.sports.yahoo.com. Details on exactly how reps will be divided were not released, but the shift signals Fleury wants to evaluate both players on his own terms before the regular season begins.
The game also carries a personal milestone for at least one Seahawks player. According to reports, this preseason marks the final exhibition year for a player identified as Lawrence Bellingham Herald. No further contract details were shared, but the note adds a layer of stakes to what is otherwise a low-stakes tune-up game.
Seattle's return to Lumen Field carries real energy. The Seahawks won the NFC Championship over the Rams in January, punching their ticket to the Super Bowl The News Tribune. That success raises expectations heading into 2025, and this preseason game is the first public look at how Macdonald plans to build on it.
The Cowboys are a marquee opponent, even in August. Dallas draws national attention, which means a large crowd and real intensity for a first preseason look Bellingham Herald. For fringe roster players fighting for a job, a packed Lumen Field against a recognizable opponent is about as good as a tryout gets.
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