The Seattle Seahawks returned to Lumen Field this week for their annual Football Fest, marking the third straight year the franchise has staged the event under head coach Mike Macdonald.
Padded Practices Signal a New Safety Emphasis
The 2026 edition introduced a notable change: all on‑field drills were conducted in full pads, a departure from the previous non‑padded sessions that had raised safety concerns among players and staff.
One player who was expected to be on the field was Jadarian Price, but the team confirmed he was held out due to lower‑body soreness, leaving a spot in the lineup unfilled.
Veteran Marshawn Lynch made a cameo appearance, walking onto the practice field, but the club did not sign him nor have him take part in any drills.
The most talked‑about moment came from second‑year defensive tackle Rylie Mills, whose relentless interior pressure left coaches and onlookers impressed with his technique and stamina.
The festivities were briefly interrupted when a fan shouted ‘Jesus Saves’ on the concourse, prompting security to enforce the venue’s ‘No Religion’ policy and escort the individual out of Lumen Field.
Organizers said a detailed recap of Saturday’s practice will be published later this week, promising deeper analysis of the new padded format and its impact on player readiness for the preseason.