Grey Zabel’s “Love-Hate” Take on the Seahawks-Rams Rivalry

Seattle Seahawks rookie left guard Grey Zabel, who entered the league during the Seahawks’ 2024 Super Bowl run, described his feelings toward the Los Angeles Rams as a “healthy dislike and a healthy respect.” In a recent appearance on the *Green Light with Chris Long* podcast, Zabel said the rivalry feels like a “hand-to-hand, best on best” contest that pushes both teams to elevate their play.

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The two NFC West clubs met three times in the 2024 season: two regular-season games and the NFC Championship Game. The combined margin of victory across the trio was seven points. Los Angeles won the Week 11 showdown 21-19, while Seattle responded with a 38-37 overtime win in Week 16, securing the NFC’s top seed. In the championship, the Seahawks prevailed 31-27 in what Zabel called a “heavyweight boxing match.”

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Zabel emphasized the familiarity between the squads, noting that each side “knows us well, we know them well,” and that the constant “calling out plays” allows players to anticipate schemes. He highlighted defensive tackle Kobie Turner as his “kryptonite” last season and warned that the Rams’ offseason acquisition of Myles Garrett—and the possible return of Aaron Donald—could intensify the rivalry further in the upcoming season.

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• “I hate the Rams, but I love the Rams because it is mano a mano, best on best,” — Grey Zabel, Seahawks guard

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• “They know us well, we know them well. You’re just sitting there trying to win every single rep. When they’re calling out plays, we can tell what they’re doing based off the defensive scheme, it’s fun football.” — Grey Zabel

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• “Just talk about a clash of three completely different games,” — Grey Zabel

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• “We didn't play well the first game and then the second game it was kind of a slow start and then we got hot late in the game and then the third game … we kind of got hot earlier in the game and then we really couldn't separate ourselves and it was just kind of a heavyweight boxing match in the end in that NFC championship. It was unbelievable.” — Grey Zabel

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If the Rams activate former Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and integrate Myles Garrett, Zabel expects the rivalry to become “even more interesting,” suggesting that future Seahawks-Rams contests will remain a focal point of the division’s competition.

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