Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Friday, August 11 — about your Seattle Seahawks.

Media Reacts To Thursday Night's Preseason Win Over Minnesota

It's been nearly eight months since the Seahawks' 2022 campaign ended in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but 12s once again had reason to celebrate Thursday, following Seattle's 24-13 comeback win in the preseason opener over the Minnesota Vikings. With a blend of highly-anticipated rookie talent, returning veteran presence and hopefuls searching for a roster spot - the Seahawks climbed to victory in dramatic fashion.

The first game of the preseason is an opportunity for players to shake off the jitters and rust, as they adjust to the speed of the game and being on the field again in a contest that counts. Seattle got off to a slow start in the first quarter in front of a packed house at Lumen Field, as a good number of Seattle’s projected starters and returners sat out or played limited snaps. With starting quarterback Geno Smith not playing, quarterback Drew Lock completed 17-24 passes while leading the offense for the majority of the contest, throwing for 191 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. After being held scoreless in the first quarter and falling behind 10-0, Lock connected with wideout Easop Winston Jr. in the redzone on a contested pass across the middle to go into the half down 10-7. Winston would keep the touchdown ball following the contest, his first-ever score in the NFL. The Washington State alum spent time sparingly with the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns before latching on to Seattle in 2022 via the practice squad. After signing a reserve/future contract in January, Winston. Jr continues to fight for a role in the Seahawks offense. The 26-year-old commented on his feelings about Seattle and his plans for the ball at the post-game presser.

"I'm giving this to my mom," said Winston Jr. "This is my first touchdown in the NFL and it's my fourth year. This is a big moment for me, and she sacrificed a lot for me so I think it's only right that I give it to her."

Lock recorded his second passing touchdown to wideout Jake Bobo for his first-career score, who caught three passes for 55 yards. Seattle's backfield maintained a balanced attack, with six running backs and quarterbacks Lock and Holton Ahlers taking carries. Rookie UCLA alum Zach Charbonnet ran for 14 yards on four carries, along with two receptions for 14 yards. Ahlers went 4-4 through the air for 43 yards and a passing touchdown, connecting with wideout Matt Landers in the fourth quarter. But it was Seattle's young defense that told the story of the night.

Seattle's young mix of rookie talent and second-year players shined Thursday, holding the Vikings to 13 points and just 83 yards on the ground with an average of 3.2 yards per carry. Rookie defensive linemen Mike Morris and Derick Hall flashed early, while second-year defensive end Boye Mafe recorded three tackles and a quarterback hit. Rookie linebacker Levi Bell and defensive end Jordan Ferguson recorded Seattle's two sacks on the night, while corner-turned-safety Coby Bryant came downhill for five combined tackles. Linebacker Jon Rhattigan led the defense with nine combined tackles (seven solo), as Seattle held Minnesota without a rushing score.

After a highly-anticipated offseason filled with big moves, Coach Pete Carroll discussed his team's comeback effort to kickoff the preseason.

"Tonight was nothing but fun," said Carroll. "We had a great time. It was hard getting started. You could tell. This was the first time we tackled anybody. That's why we use the preseason game. We needed the first quarter to shake the cobwebs. The defense came back in the second quarter and played great all night long. Those young kids did a beautiful job of playing the scheme and making the plays we needed to make. I thought all in all it was really a really strong win for us because if we can build on all of the things that happened. The cool thing was the young guys playing in the fourth quarter, playing well enough to win the game, hold the defense, all of that. I thought Drew did really well tonight, did a nice job. I believe the ball got tipped on the pick. He was reading the right guy and all that. Ball got tipped at the line of scrimmage. Other than that, he was in command, had a nice night. We didn't run the ball as well as we did early. Same thing, blocking and tackling took us a while to get going. That's why we got to play these games. There's so many names to talk about. You guys ask me the questions. But I was really excited about Holton. Holton, in the end of the game, did what he needed to do, finished up, found a way to make plays. I know they're hooting Tebow and all that kind of stuff. He did a great job for us tonight to finish the game."

Carroll commented on wideout Cade Johnson, who left the contest on a stretcher after being shaken up during an early play.

"The first thing that we heard was that it was no findings," said Carroll. "I think he got concussed, but there were no findings beyond that at this point, so we got a real good report, the early one, I'm hoping that's conclusive, but that's what we heard… They just went to the max precautions, and the findings were already really positive."

Linebacker Bobby Wagner returned to Lumen Field to great applause from Seahawks fans after spending the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. Despite not playing in Thursday's contest, Wagner suited up, signing autographs for fans before cheering for his teammates on the sidelines. Seattle will remain at home for Week 2 of the 2023 Preseason, as the Dallas Cowboys come into town on August 19.

Social Post Of The Day

Seahawks wideout Easop Winston Jr. keeps his first touchdown ball as a souvenir, following Seattle's 24-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Thursday's preseason opener.

Read more on the thoughts of local and national media following Thursday's contest here:

Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks’ top rookies stand out, young WRs step up in preseason win over Vikings.

Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: 'Surreal': Told he’d never play again, Ben Burr-Kirven plays again for the Seahawks.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks overcome bumpy start with big second half to beat Vikings in preseason opener.

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times: Back at Lumen Field, Bobby Wagner still setting the standard for Seahawks.

The Associated Press: Recap: Drew Lock throws 2 TDs, Seahawks beat Vikings 24-13.

Stacy Rost of Seattle Sports 710AM: Rost: Observations from Seahawks’ preseason-opening win.

Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus: NFL Preseason Week 1 Game Recap: Seattle Seahawks 24, Minnesota Vikings 13.