Expect Geno Smith, Seahawks starters vs. Browns starters in semi-real preseason finale

Finally, a preseason game that will seem semi-real.

Seahawks starters, including Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith, will play on offense and defense Saturday in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns at Lumen Field (7 p.m., KING-5 television). Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said that Thursday following a walk-through practice.

“The plan is, you will see a lot of starters to start the game,” Macdonald said. “How many reps and all that? That’s kinda on a per-person basis, but the plan is to see a good bit of the guys.”

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in Ohio this week “all of our starters should expect to play” Saturday.

Smith and the bulk of the 11 players on Seattle’s starting offense have not played in the first two preseason games. The starters on defense played two series, six plays, in the preseason opener at the Los Angeles Chargers Aug. 10.

Macdonald discussed the reasoning behind his decision others in the league — notably, Aaron Rodgers and his Jets — have not made this preseason, to play starters.

“Offense, we just haven’t had a chance to get everybody out there and operate, especially at our home field and go through all those things,” Macdonald said. “You know, there is something to putting the pads on and actually go out and move the ball before we do it for real.

“Defensively, we only got six snaps in the first game. So, an opportunity to go out there and put some more good film on tape and have some confidence going into the first game.”

Also obvious, though left unsaid: The Seahawks are still in the process of installing all-new schemes on offense, with new play caller Ryan Grubb, and on Macdonald’s defense. The coaches and players will benefit from continuing that install in game situations, particularly against another team’s starters.

A trade for a new linebacker

Jerome Baker was on the field for the light practice, including in 11-on-11 work. That’s the first time the starting weakside linebacker next to middle backer Tyrel Dodson has done that in about two weeks. He’s had a hamstring injury.

To augment depth and options at inside linebacker, the Seahawks traded from their strongest and deepest position Thursday. They traded former starting cornerback Michael Jackson to Carolina, coached by former Seahawks assistant coach Dave Canales.

In return the Seahawks got Michael Barrett, a rookie seventh-round draft choice. The 6-foot, 239-pound Barrett played collegiately at Michigan. He was the captain of the Wolverines’ defense last season, the unit that thottled Grubb’s Michael Penix Jr.-led Washington Huskies offense in January’s national championship.

Macdonald was Michigan’s defensive coordinator. He coached Barrett for the Wolverines in 2021.

“Guys at Carolina spoke very highly of him. Mike was very productive at Michigan, obviously,” Macdonald said. “We had a chance to eval him coming out (of college into the draft).

“Just excited to have him in here. He has an opportunity to come compete and earn himself a spot here for, hopefully, a while.”

Pro Football Focus rated Barrett last season as the second-best major-college linebacker in pass rushing.

The NFL deadline to cut the 90-man preseason roster to 53 for the initial regular-season roster is Tuesday. Given that the Seahawks will have only two full practices between now and then, Macdonald did not rule out Barrett playing Saturday in the preseason game.

Offensive line du jour

The offensive line remains the team’s most concerning area two weeks before the season begins Sept. 8 against Denver.

Thursday, the starters were Charles Cross at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Olu Oluwatimi at center, rookie Christian Haynes at right guard and George Fant at right tackle.

Typically, those who start in the lighter practice going over plays specific to that opponent two days before a game start in that game. So Haynes is for now ahead of Anthony Bradford in the ongoing competition to be the starting right guard.

Wednesday, Connor Williams got his most extensive work at center of the three practices he’s had as a Seahawks. The 27-year-old former Miami Dolphins starter signed with Seattle two weeks ago. He tore the anterior crucitate ligament in his knee eight months ago.

Thursday, Williams watched Oluwatimi take the first-team center plays.

Macdonald confirmed the team’s plan to have Williams ready to start the opener does not include him playing Saturday in the preseason finale.