'He's Earned a Role': Nehemiah Pritchett Thriving in Double Duty for Seahawks' Defense, Special Teams
Coming into his own in his third NFL season and playing with renewed confidence as well as a far more physical mindset, Nehemiah Pritchett has been a revelation not only on defense for the Seahawks, but also on special teams.
RENTON, Wash. - Throughout the offseason, from the first open OTA practice all the way through the final preseason game, Mike Macdonald refused to divulge on the unofficial leader in the Seattle Seahawks' third cornerback competition.
From the outset, however, even if Macdonald didn't acknowledge the fact at numerous points where he could have, third-year defender Nehemiah Pritchett had firm control of the spot vacated by a departed Riq Woolen wire-to-wire. He began the spring receiving extensive reps with the first-team defense over the likes of free agent signee Noah Igbinoghene and three incoming draft picks at his position, maintaining the spot over the course of training camp.
While some may have questioned Pritchett's standing in the secondary hierarchy when Seattle signed both Trevon Diggs and Terrion Arnold leading up to the regular season, neither of those moves were made as an indictment on the ex-Auburn standout's offseason. Stepping up to the plate with an opportunity to seize, he made a momentum-changing interception in the third quarter of a 13-10 season-opening win over New England off of a deflection from safety Rodney Thomas, kick-starting what has been a wildly successful third year thus far.
In Sunday's 32-29 loss to the 49ers, Pritchett almost single-handedly willed the turnover-ridden Seahawks back into the game with heroics on defense as well as special teams. First, he blasted returner Jacob Cowing in the first quarter in punt coverage, forcing a fumble that led to an Emanuel Wilson rushing touchdown. In the third quarter, he made a clutch interception on third down against Brock Purdy, again setting up a touchdown with Jaxon Smith-Njigba scoring from 16 yards out.
"Nehemiah played a great game, man," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Pritchett's performance afterward. "Probably the best play was the special teams play. Guy's playing double duty as a gunner and as a corner for us. The guy should be really proud of himself [and] the position he's put himself in. He's playing really good football."
