As the NFL rolls into Week 2 of the 2026 season on September 19, the Seattle Seahawks are riding a wave of cautious optimism mixed with a dash of anxiety. The defending Super Bowl champions eked out a narrow victory over the New England Patriots in Week 1, but the win came at a cost: starting quarterback Sam Darnold was sidelined with a glute injury that will keep him out for at least a few weeks. Despite that setback, the Seahawks faithful are feeling bullish, according to the latest fan survey conducted by SB Nation Reacts and analyzed by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk. A staggering 95% of polled Seahawks fans believe the team is headed in the right direction, a testament to the resilience of Mike Macdonald’s defense and the steady hand of backup quarterback Drew Lock.
Defense and Depth Fuel Fan Confidence
Seattle’s Week 1 performance against New England was a defensive showcase. Macdonald’s unit harassed Patriots quarterbacks all afternoon, forcing timely turnovers and keeping the game within reach until the offense found its rhythm. Lock, who has proven time and again that he can step in and win games, managed the offense efficiently. But the real story may be the emergence of rookie running back Jadarian Price. In his NFL debut, the former Notre Dame standout logged just 24 snaps but flashed the explosiveness that made him a second-round pick. Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury acknowledged the limited workload, saying, “We wanted to be cautious in terms of his workload,” but added that Price has “earned more reps moving forward.” That endorsement clearly resonated with the fanbase.
Price vs. Love: A Rookie Rivalry Renewed
When asked which former Notre Dame running back would tally more rushing yards on Sunday, 82% of polled Seahawks fans sided with Price over his former teammate and fellow rookie Jeremiyah Love, who now suits up for the Arizona Cardinals. The two backs posted nearly identical stat lines in Week 1: Price carried 10 times for 52 yards, while Love managed 11 rushes for 41 yards. Through the air, Price caught two passes for six yards, and Love hauled in two for nine. The margins are razor-thin, and both rookies find themselves in eerily similar situations—each is currently the No. 1 back on his respective depth chart, but each faces competition from veteran teammates. In Arizona, Love will share carries with Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight. In Seattle, Price must fend off George Holani and Emanuel Wilson. Moreover, both teams have big-name veterans on injured lists who will eventually siphon touches: James Conner (injured reserve) for the Cardinals, and Zach Charbonnet (physically unable to perform list) for the Seahawks.
“Both backs are number one, but they both have some veteran running backs in their room who will steal some carries away. This will surely be one to watch all season.” — Vulius NFL Analysis Desk
The Road Ahead
Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals will be the first chapter in what promises to be a season-long comparison between two promising rookies. For Seattle, a win would not only validate their fans’ confidence but also keep them atop the NFC West early on. For Arizona, spoiling the Seahawks’ home opener would be a statement. As the season unfolds, the Vulius Sports team will track every carry, every yard, and every touchdown in this budding rivalry. For now, the poll results suggest that Seahawks fans are putting their money on Price—and with good reason. After all, he’s already shown he can produce when given the opportunity.
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