In many cases, it would be deemed pretentious to overhype a preseason opener.
But there's a little more added motivation to this one as Pete Carroll heads back to familiar territory.
In what feels like something scripted in Hollywood, Carroll is set to coach his first game with the Las Vegas Raiders against the Seattle Seahawks. He was notably their head coach for 14 seasons, becoming the architect behind the iconic "Legion of Boom" defense in the 2010s. Under Carroll, Seattle won two NFC Championships and Super Bowl XLVIII.
The preseason opener will provide a sense of symbolism for the Raiders head coach. The many things he accomplished in Seattle he's now tasked with bringing to the desert.
"It came as an experiment coming out of USC to go to the NFL to see if the way we had developed, the culture that we had created, the concept of competing the way did would carry over," Carroll said of his time with the Seahawks. "Mostly it was the way we treated the people in our program. I had an inkling that it would be okay, but I didn't know, and a lot of people probably questioned it as well. We didn't change anything. We maintained the philosophy and we adapted to the players and the course of the game.
"After it's said and done, I feel really good about the time we spent there and that we were able to stay with what we believed in and make it work out. So, that's really what stands out about it."
It's not only a trip back for Carroll, but for his quarterback as well.
Geno Smith revived his career with the Seahawks under Carroll. He had a 12-19 record as a starting quarterback with the New York Jets and Giants before arriving to Seattle in 2019. He served as their backup quarterback for three seasons before getting his shot in 2022.
He delivered in a big way with his second opportunity, leading to two Pro Bowl selections, an NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and 27 wins.
"It means a lot to me as a place where I called home for six years, was able to have a son there, and I was able to really just kind of turn my career around," Smith said. "Met some really cool people, got to know a lot of great people there. A lot of great teammates over the years, and just really special things, special thoughts that come to my mind when I think about it."
Carroll's trust and faith in Smith's abilities led to the Raiders trading for him this offseason. While Smith might not see any game action against his former team Thursday, it will make for a full circle moment regardless.
"Looking forward to seeing my old teammates, old coaches, people in the building. It'll be fun," Smith said. "Also going back with Pete, that's pretty cool. And then another opportunity to compete with my guys. That's always what it's all about."
As Smith alluded to, competition is still at the forefront of this preseason game. There will be a time and a place to reminisce on the memories Smith and Carroll created together during their time in Seattle.
And that time will come to an end at kickoff.
"It's the only game we got, and it happens to be in Seattle," Carroll said casually. "I loved my time in Seattle and love the fans and the people that we met and dealt with and competed with, but it's a game for us. We are going to go play ball."
As the Silver and Black prepare for their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, take a look back at their past matchups through the years.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Pat Toomay (67) and defensive tackle Dave Rowe (74) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 6, 1977, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lindsey Mason (71) and quarterback David Humm (11) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 22, 1978, in Seattle, Wash.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, September 16, 1979, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders tight end Dave Casper (87) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 16, 1979, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland raiders defensive end Cedrick Hardman (86) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 20, 1981, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin (53) and linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 29, 1981, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders center/guard Dave Dalby (50) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 16, 1983, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the postseason AFC Championship home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) during the postseason AFC Championship home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders center Dave Dalby (50) and quarterback Marc Wilson (6) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 7, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Monday, November 12, 1984, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the postseason away AFC Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Saturday, December 22, 1984, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Dokie Williams (85) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 1985, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Napoleon McCallum (34) and guard Mickey Marvin (65) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 12, 1986, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders center Don Mosebar (72) and quarterback Rusty Hilger (12) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 25, 1987, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the postseason AFC Championship home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, January 8, 1984, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Monday, November 28, 1988, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder (13) and center Bill Lewis (51) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 18, 1988, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders placekicker Jeff Jaeger (18) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 1, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Los Angeles Raiders during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, October 1, 1989, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders tight end Trey Junkin (87) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, December 17, 1989, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, September 16, 1990, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Nick Bell (38) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 13, 1991, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders guard Steve Wisniewski (76) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 17, 1991, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Anthony Smith (94) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 18, 1992, in Seattle, Wash.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Aaron Wallace (51) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, November 15, 1992, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders running back Nick Bell (38) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, December 12, 1993, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert (54) and defensive tackle Jerry Ball (93) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, September 11, 1994, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Alberto White (96) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, December 18, 1994, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 8, 1995, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Pat Swilling (56) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, December 17, 1995, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert (54) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 24, 1996, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Lorenzo Lynch (43) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tight end Andrew Glover (87) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 22, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Tim Hall (45) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, October 26, 1997, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Darrell Russell (96) and defensive end Aundray Bruce (99) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 14, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Donald Hollas (12) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome, Sunday, November 1, 1998, in Seattle, Wash.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, November 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker K.D. Williams (59) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at The Kingdome , Sunday, October 3, 1999, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Sam Sword (56) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, December 5, 1999, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lincoln Kennedy (72) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, October 22, 2000, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Tony Bryant (94) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium, Saturday, December 16, 2000, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 30, 2001, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Grady Jackson (90) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium, Sunday, November 11, 2001, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders running back Charlie Garner (25) rushes for a 20-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, September 8, 2002, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo (8) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Thursday, August 31, 2006, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison (52) and linebacker Sam Williams (54) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Monday, November 6, 2006, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins (15) returns a punt for a 90-yard touchdown during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Thursday, August 30, 2007, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Carlos Francis (82) and cornerback Marquice Cole (18) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Thursday, August 30, 2007, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders fullback Luke Lawton (44), linebacker Jon Alston (47), defensive back Adam Archuleta (42) and tight end Chris Wagner (43) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field, Friday, August 29, 2008, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Chris Cooper (78) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 2, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bennett (32) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 2, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 31, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard Robert Gallery (76) during the regular season home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, October 31, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Derrick Hill (98) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Friday, September 2, 2011, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders running back Mike Goodson (25) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 30, 2012, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nathan Stupar (54) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 30, 2012, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 29, 2013, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings (27) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Thursday, August 29, 2013, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders guard Kevin Boothe (67) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at O.co Coliseum, Thursday, August 28, 2014, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Stacy McGee (92) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at O.co Coliseum, Thursday, August 28, 2014, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Sunday, November 2, 2014, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brice Butler (12) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Sunday, November 2, 2014, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Denico Autry (96) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) goes to make a 28-yard touchdown catch during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Shelby Harris (75) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Century Link Field, Thursday, September 3, 2015, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders tackle Darius Latham (75) and defensive end Jihad Ward (95) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Thursday, September 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) during the preseason away game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, Thursday, August 30, 2018, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, Eng.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, Eng.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during the Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, Thursday, August 29, 2019, in Seattle, Wash.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) during the Oakland Raiders preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, Thursday, August 29, 2019, in Seattle, Wash.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Matt Bushman (84) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium, Saturday, August 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) ad defensive end Carl Nassib (94) during the preseason home game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium, Saturday, August 14, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) makes an 18-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Seattle, Wash.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the regular season away game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Seattle, Wash.
