The Seattle Seahawks just have one more preseason game to get out of the way before the regular season. It hasn’t been the prettiest preseason, but we’ve still been able to learn quite a bit.
Some players have stepped up and secured spots for the 2026 season, while some others are really starting to feel the heat. Today, let’s identify the four bubble players who are most in need of a big performance in the preseason finale if they want to stick around.
QB Jalen Milroe
The Seahawks definitely don’t want to give up on Jalen Milroe just a year after drafting him in the third round. However, Milroe hasn’t exactly lit it up this preseason.
Through two preseason matches, Milroe has just 88 passing yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions. The quarterback has made some nice plays with his legs, but he needs to show more as a passer if he wants to stick around long-term.
The Seahawks have plenty of uses for a roster spot other than keeping a third quarterback. We know Sam Darnold is in place as the starter and Drew Lock is a solid backup. Is it smart to keep Milroe around? I still think the Alabama product gets one more season.
WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr. is trying to prove he belongs in the NFL after being a sixth-round pick this year. Henderson has impressed at camp, but he’s mostly been unable to carry that over to the preseason.
Through two preseason contests, Henderson has just one catch for seven yards. The rookie has shown some value on special teams though, with two kick returns and two tackles. Jake Bobo’s injury opens up a spot at receiver, but has the rookie shown enough to claim it?
If the Seahawks keep six receivers, Henderson is likely in. If they only keep five, though, it’s not looking good.
OLB Connor O’Toole
Connor O’Toole is a bubble player who definitely helped his case in the second preseason game. Against the Titans, O’Toole collected four tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
The thing is there’s no guarantee the Seahawks keep a fifth edge rusher. We know Demarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall, and Dante Fowler Jr. are making it, which could bump O’Toole out.
It seems like the Utah product needs one more solid performance to force the Seahawks’ hand. It helps that O’Toole played in eight games for the team last year, so he has an edge over other edge rushers competing like Marvin Jones Jr. and Aidan Hubbard.
CB Noah Igbinoghene
It may seem like Noah Igbinoghene would be a lock to make this team. After all, the veteran has looked solid at camp, and the Seahawks don’t have great depth in the secondary.
However, the roster math may make Igbinoghene a tough cut. We can assume Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett, and Julian Neal are all locks to make the team. Assuming the team keeps five corners, Igbinoghene would have to beat out recent addition Trevon Diggs for a spot.
There’s also the possibility of Terrion Arnold joining the fold. If that happens, Igbinoghene seems like the player most likely to be negatively impacted. Of course, if Igbinoghene performs well in the finale, the team could rethink adding Arnold altogether.
