Tyler Lockett finished Sunday's win in Atlanta with only four receptions, which on the surface might seem like a quiet day for the second-leading receiver in franchise history.
But as has so often been the case throughout his 10-year career with the Seahawks, Lockett's importance to the team was evident not so much in the volume of production he had than it was the significance of the plays he made.
Lockett's first catch, which came on the opening drive of the game, went for 6 yards on third-and-5. The Seahawks appeared to have a touchdown on the next play, but it was called back for a penalty. Even so, Lockett extended a drive that ended with a field goal. At the end of the first half, Lockett had the first two catches of Seattle's two-minute drive, gaining 15 and 16 yards on consecutive plays, getting started a drive that ended with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to DK Metcalf. In the fourth quarter, Lockett had an 8-yard catch on third-and-4 to keep alive a drive than ended in a field goal.
The final stats showed a modest four-catch, 45-yard performance, but what those numbers don't show is how directly Lockett contributed to three scores.
"Tyler is so good at understanding coverage and space and finding those holes in the coverage," offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. "He's just a savvy player, can understand how to put the route concept together with the coverage, and then just apply it and get the easy hit. Him and Geno are on the same page, two veteran guys who know what the concept is and how to attack the coverage. So, I think just (he's a) smart savvy football player."
Lockett is at the stage of his career—one very few players reach—in which he occasionally gets asked questions about how long he'll keep playing. Lockett doesn't have a specific end date in mind, at least not that he's making public, but one way he evaluates his career is by how reliable he still is when called upon.
"As long as I feel like I can still play at a high level, which I think I am, taking advantage of every opportunity, and also just understanding, as you get older and as people view you older, reliability is really a big thing," he said. "Like you don't know how many targets you're going to get, or you don't know how much you're going to be involved but it's about when your name is called, are you being efficient? Are you making those plays? Are you helping the team win?"
And Lockett is very much helping the team win even on days when the raw numbers don't indicate a very productive day. Lockett did lead the Seahawks in receiving in Week 1 with 77 yards, but what really jumped out about that performance was his one-handed grab on third-down that clinched a Seahawks win, Had Lockett not hauled in that catch, Denver would have gotten one more possession with a chance to take the lead, instead Smith could take a knee to finish off a victory.
In Week 2, Lockett caught just two passes, but one of them was a 16-yarder in overtime to turn what would have been a long field goal attempt into an easy 31-yard winner for Jason Myers. Lockett also drew a third-down pass interference call to help set up a touchdown, as well as another PI call on that winning drive in overtime.
With DK Metcalf listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Buffalo, Lockett could very well see the ball coming his way more often on Sunday, but even if his opportunities are limited, his coaches and teammates know he'll come through when it matters most.
"It's just how poised he is," quarterback Geno Smith said. "He's steady, he's been that way throughout his entire life, throughout his entire career, and so he's never going to change. His demeanor's not going to change. Whether he gets 10 targets in the game or he gets five or he gets three, he's going to run his routes the same way. He's going to give maximum effort. He's going to be the consummate leader that we need. He's going to bring the right energy and the right approach to the huddle. And when his time's called, when his number gets called, he makes the play every single time and we know just how special he is and the work that he's put in a lot of stuff behind the scenes to make sure his body's ready and shoot man, he's one of my best friends and I just want to continue to throw him the ball. I've got to throw it to him more if I can, but I know I can always count on him and he's always going to be there.
"I mean we've got so many great guys that it makes my job that much easier. I just got to go out there and let the defense dictate where the ball goes. But a lot of times, man, it comes down to it being Tyler and he's always in the right spot. He always makes the catch. He gets his toes in bounds when he needs to, and he's even out there making blocks. He's doing it all. So I think Tyler is going to continue to get better. We're growing as an offense. He's not reached his peak yet. I think he's still got more life in him and he's showing us that."
Like any receiver, Lockett enjoys games where he is frequently targeted—he does, after all, rank second to Steve Largent in franchise history for receiving yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns, so he's more than capable of putting up big numbers—he also takes pride in being a player who can come through when it matters most, even when his opportunities are limited.
"I take a lot of pride in it just because I think every receiver wants to be involved early on, and you want to be able to get going and stuff like that," he said. "Sometimes things like that don't happen and it's easy to be able to get mad, get upset, get down on yourself, whatever are but at the same time for me I don't want to get to that place where I'm so angry to the point where when I do start getting opportunities, now I'm not making the play because I'm not in sync with myself. I always tell myself just stay ready because when that opportunity comes, if you were mad, you weren't getting the ball, now you got the ball, you didn't make the play. It doesn't make your situation any better at all. For me, take advantage of the opportunities. Continue to try to get open because you never know when it's going to be your opportunity and you never know when a play breaks down if it's going to be your opportunity, so I think that's just a great message for anybody in life, too, is you've got to stay ready. Because sometimes things don't happen the way that you it to happen, and sometimes the way that you want to play doesn't happen the way you want to play but you're still able to have a great game."
The Seahawks participated in a practice on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in preparation for the team's upcoming Week 8 matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5), long snapper Chris Stoll (41) and punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33) and linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Miles Boykin (81) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37)practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Faion Hicks (30) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and cornerback Faion Hicks (30) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
