After being inactive for the first 11 games of the season, rookie Sataoa Laumea made his first start of the season and his NFL debut during Sunday's win over the Jets.
In Week 12, starting right guard Anthony Bradford left the game vs. the Cardinals with an injury, and rookie Christian Haynes filled in. During the week, Bradford was put on injured reserve with an ankle injury and head coach Mike Macdonald was asked about the plan for right guard and he said they would be taking a "long look" at Laumea throughout the week. On Friday, before heading to the East Coast Macdonald said, "The plan is, we're going to start Sataoa at guard. He's just done a tremendous job. [Sataoa Laumea and Christian Haynes] have been competing the whole way, and Christian, if and when he gets his opportunity, he had a great week as well, so we're excited about these guys, and we've got all the confidence in the world in them, but Sataoa will start the game out."
A four-year starter at Utah, Laumea started 44 straight games playing two seasons at right tackle and two seasons at right guard.
Macdonald evaluated Laumea's game as a whole, saying, "I think he started off a little slow on a couple of assignments, but bounced back and gave us a winning performance."
And the reason for that could have been because of nerves, Laumea said it took him the first few drives to really settle in. When accomplishing something like playing in your first NFL game there are going to be emotions.
"There were a ton of nerves. My heart was racing, I was trying to control my breathing. It was a long time coming, so I was very nervous at first, adrenaline for sure. As the game went on, I started thinking 'Yeah, you know you belong'."
And Laumea, while he had a few mistakes, his quarterback, Geno Smith thought Laumea did a great job in his first NFL game.
"Honestly, I thought in the run game, just a couple of those big runs that we had, he was right there in the thick of it in the double teams and I thought he did a great job and I think he's only going to gain from this experience. I think he's going to gain confidence and I think it's going to help him in the future. I think he's going to be a really good player."
The Seahawks pulled out a close win on the road vs. the New York Jets to win their third consecutive game and extend their division lead. Check out some the best postgame celebration scenes from their Week 13 victory.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider and wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) celebrated the Week 13 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
