What happened: The offensive coordinator said he “didn’t do a good enough job” and that the Seattle Seahawks “out-everythinged” his side. McDaniels said the loss produced lessons while framing the opener as a new year and a new game.
Why it matters: The Sept. 9 matchup gives McDaniels’ offense an immediate test against the defending champions. With no 2026 game tape available beforehand, the opener will provide the first evidence of how his approach has changed.
By the numbers: Seattle won Super Bowl LX 29-13 on Feb. 8.
What to watch: Watch for McDaniels’ opening script and his answers to Seattle’s four-man pressure.