Seahawks adapt to Nashville heat and new play-calling system ahead of Sunday clash
Defending champions face a stark climate change and offensive transition as they prepare to meet the Titans, whose quarterback Cam Ward showed signs of progress in Friday’s joint practice.
The Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans held a joint practice in Nashville on Friday, setting the stage for their Sunday night matchup on FOX. The session took place at the Vanderbilt Health Football Center, where the defending Super Bowl champions found themselves adjusting to conditions significantly different from their home environment.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold noted that the team struggled with the mid-80s temperatures and high humidity, a sharp contrast to the cool weather typical of Seattle. Darnold observed that several teammates battled heat-related issues, while the Titans players appeared to welcome the break from the muggy conditions.
Beyond the physical environment, the Seahawks are navigating a strategic transition with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. Fleury, who replaced Klint Kubiak after the latter was named head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in February, is in his first season as a playcaller. Darnold described the process as one of learning the flow of play-calling, including timing, tempo, and play clock management.
The Titans, aiming for improvement under new coach Robert Saleh, showed offensive promise during the session. Quarterback Cam Ward, the previous year’s No. 1 overall pick, threw two touchdown passes to second-year receiver Elic Ayomanor and tight end Daniel Bellinger. Ward’s performance offered a positive sign following an uninspiring preseason opener the previous week.
While Ward demonstrated the ability to extend plays and make timely throws, he was not without error, throwing an interception to Seahawks safety Ty Okada. Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV praised Ward’s mechanics, noting that the quarterback was on time with his throws.
The matchup pits a team with the league’s No. 3 scoring offense last season against a young quarterback looking to build momentum. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, on the roster, the Seahawks enter the game with significant talent, though questions remain regarding their offensive execution under new leadership.
