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Julian Love named as one of 3 Seahawks captains against the Colts
The Seattle Seahawks’ announcement of their captains for Week 15, a crucial late-season tilt against the Indianapolis Colts, is more than a ceremonial nod; it’s a strategic signal revealing the team's current identity and its blueprint for navigating the playoff gauntlet. Quarterback Sam Darnold, safety Julian Love, and fullback/tight end Brady Russell will carry the captaincy, a trio that perfectly encapsulates the 2025 Seahawks’ formula: high-octane offense, defensive intelligence, and unheralded special teams grit.For Darnold, this marks his fifth captaincy, a testament to his remarkable resurgence. Currently sitting fifth in the NFL with a 103.8 QB rating, Darnold has transformed from a reclamation project into the engine of Seattle's attack. His performance this season invites comparisons to the late-career mastery of a Rich Gannon, a quarterback who found his perfect system and thrived.The matchup against a potentially vulnerable Colts secondary, which may be tested by a 44-year-old Philip Rivers who just arrived in Indianapolis, sets the stage for a fascinating chess match. Will Head Coach Shane Waldron unleash Darnold in a shootout to exploit this softness, forcing a rusty Rivers into a high-scoring duel he may not be equipped to win? The analytics suggest a pass-heavy script could be devastatingly effective, turning this game into a statement performance for Darnold’s MVP-caliber campaign.On the other side of the ball, Julian Love’s designation is a storyline of resilience and timing. Returning last week from a two-month hamstring injury, Love was limited to just 20 snaps, but his elevation to captain speaks volumes about his value.He is not just a safety; he’s the defensive quarterback, a rangy, cerebral presence in the mold of a younger Earl Thomas whose primary function is erasing mistakes—whether poor plays or the limitations of surrounding players. His return to a full-time role couldn’t be more critical as Seattle faces a Colts offense that, even with Rivers’ limited prep, possesses the weapons to exploit any communication lapses in the secondary.Love’s intelligence and positioning are the glue holding together a unit that must be airtight for a deep January run. Then there’s Brady Russell, the special teams ace stepping into his third captaincy this year.With nine solo tackles and a fumble recovery, Russell embodies the hidden yardage and momentum swings that define championship football. His potential for offensive snaps due to injuries at tight end adds another layer, reminiscent of how a player like Michael Robinson once provided value across phases for the Seahawks.This captaincy trio tells a complete story: Darnold for the star power and offensive firepower, Love for the defensive stabilizer, and Russell for the foundational, blue-collar effort. As the 10-3 Seahawks, locked in a fierce battle for the NFC’s top seed, host the 8-5 Colts, these captains aren’t just leaders by title.
#Julian Love
#Seattle Seahawks
#Sam Darnold
#NFL captains
#Indianapolis Colts
#featured
