Anthony Bradford ‘Blocks Out Noise,’ Opponents as Seahawks’ Bullying Guard Finds His Rhythm
In the social media era where anyone can make their opinions known and accessible to everyone with the instantaneous click of a mouse or tap of the touch screen, NFL players face the near-impossible task of avoiding their critics and the vitriol spewed on X, Instagram, Tik Tok, and other platforms.
For fourth-year guard Anthony Bradford, his first three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks have tested that fortitude trying to weather a constant barrage of criticism sent his way by fans and to a lesser extent, analysts. Selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he stepped into the starting lineup early in his rookie season, enduring plenty of ups and downs as he acclimated to trying to block the best defenders in the world.
Along the way, Bradford has seen his fair share of posts and videos, including short clips that went viral highlighting a few missed blocks and using those miscues to create a narrative about his overall play for barn-storming 12s to grab their virtual pitchforks and torches and rally around. But as he has matured under the guidance of coach Mike Macdonald and offensive line coach John Benton, he has been able to drown out that static and maintain a clear, level head, leading to vastly improved performance last season as he helped Seattle march to a Super Bowl LX victory.
While the laid back Bradford doesn’t see it as vengeance or redemption per se, he admitted it felt pretty damn satisfying to hoist the Lombardi Trophy and eventually receive a Super Bowl ring to silence the naysayers.
Camp Takeaways: Tempers Flare, Tight Ends Explode for Seahawks in Heated Sixth Practice
Calling themselves a brotherhood, the Seattle Seahawks have as tight knit of a locker room as any to be found in the NFL, which played a crucial role in their recent run to a Super Bowl LX title.
But as any parent who has raised children understands all too well, that doesn’t mean that brothers don’t still fight from time to time, especially on a practice field in late July during the dog days of summer.
With ramped up intensity matching the rising 80-plus degree temperatures on the practice field in Friday afternoon’s second padded practice, coach Mike Macdonald and his staff had to step in to break up multiple skirmishes with tempers flaring on both sides. Most of the discontent came at the line of scrimmage, stemming from tensions that initially started to brew during one-on-one drills when guard Bryce Cabeldue appeared to get under the skin of a few of his defensive line mates.
Sure enough, without enough time to cool down in the heat of a competitive camp practice, those festering emotions boiled over midway through Seattle’s first 11-on-11 team period. Getting the ball rolling, defensive tackle Leonard Williams sprinted 15 yards downfield to tackle AJ Barner from behind in pursuit, something the tight end did not appreciate as the two started jawing at each other post-whistle.
Camp Takeaways: Running Backs to Take on Bigger Role in Seahawks’ Passing Game Under Brian Fleury
On the way to the second Super Bowl victory in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks put up sizzling offensive numbers, including setting a new single season record for points scored and finishing eighth in the league in passing yards.
Leading the charge, Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded 119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, joining Shaun Alexander as the second Seahawk to win Offensive Player of the Year honors. Away from the rising superstar, Sam Darnold had plenty of other capable weapons at his disposal, including Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, and standout tight end AJ Barner.
But for as much success as Seattle had attacking opponents through the air last season with former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak calling plays, the team managed to do so without relying much on running backs as receivers. Contrasting from Kyle Shanahan’s offense in San Francisco, the Seahawks finished 31st in targets (63) and 28th in catches (53) without a single touchdown reception from running backs in 2025, only utilizing former starter Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet sparingly in that fashion.
With a new play caller in Brian Fleury now at the wheel replacing the departed Kubiak, however, as Bob Dylan once wrote, the times they are a-changing in the Pacific Northwest.
Decisions Await Seahawks Entering Crucial Seasons for Jalen Sundell, Anthony Bradford
Taking a welcomed diversion from the past when the organization almost seemed hellbent on executing cost-cutting measures and regularly volunteered to play musical chairs at multiple positions along the offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks have pulled a near 180-degree turn when it comes to investing in the trenches.
Starting with the selection of North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel with the 18th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the highest-selected guard by the franchise since Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson back in 2001, Seahawks general manager John Schneider solidified the offensive line for years to come on multiple fronts. Along with Zabel being under contract through at least 2028 with a fifth-year option for 2029, tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas each signed lucrative multi-year extensions, locking up the young bookends who have been starting together since they arrived in tandem as rookies in 2022.
As things stand, those three players all remain under contract together through the 2028 season, keeping an impressive young nucleus in place while providing the type of rare offensive line continuity the Seahawks haven’t enjoyed since the days of Walter Jones, Hutchinson, Robbie Tobeck, and Chris Gray dominating opponents in the early-to-mid 2000s. And according to Spotrac, Schneider still has managed to do that without breaking the bank, as the team still ranks 23rd in offensive line spending for 2025 and currently sits 25th and 22nd in that metric for cap space allocated to the line in 2027 and 2028.
But coming off a Super Bowl LX win, which not so surprisingly coincided with the best line play the team had experienced in over a decade, Schneider’s past philosophy of going cheap up front will truly be put to the test. Though all five starters return from last year’s squad, quite the rarity for a defending champion, difficult decisions await on the futures of right guard Anthony Bradford and center Jalen Sundell, who will be unrestricted and restricted free agents respectively next March as they prepare for their second season starting alongside one another.
Analysis: Predicting Seahawks 2026 Offensive Breakout Candidates
Now less than a month from reporting date for training camp, the Seattle Seahawks will soon begin their Super Bowl title defense with sights on hoisting another Lombardi Trophy.
But even with most of their roster kept intact after losing only five free agents from their title squad, for the Seahawks to have a shot at a rare Super Bowl repeat in coach Mike Macdonald’s third season at the helm, they will need several players to take a step forward with every opponent ready to give them their best shot each week. On offense, the team will have a new first-time coordinator calling plays in Brian Fleury and have to replace the production lost with Ken Walker III bolting to join the Chiefs as a free agent, doing so without the services of an injured Zach Charbonnet until at least October.
Looking towards the 2026 season, which offensive Seahawks stand out as prime candidates for a breakout campaign?
Does O-Line Continuity Set Seahawks Up for Sustained Super Bowl Window?
Prior to their latest march to a Super Bowl victory last February, the Seattle Seahawks appeared to have a proverbial “peanut” allergy in regard to developing and maintaining continuity along the offensive line, particularly in the interior at the guard and center positions.
Consistently struggling to keep quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith upright and at times failing to establish a reliable ground game under several different offensive coordinators over a nearly decade-long period, the Seahawks have had a different Week 1 starting center in six of the previous seven seasons dating back to Justin Britt’s final year with the team. The guard spots have not been that much more stable during that span, with the exception of Damien Lewis starting four years in a row from 2020 to 2023, sandwiched by games of musical chairs on the left and right side.
But the tides have truly turned in the Pacific Northwest for general manager John Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and company as they aim to run it forward, not ironically coinciding with arguably the best season in franchise history for the Seahawks. Anchored by tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas along with standout rookie Grey Zabel, the offensive line improved leaps and bounds under the coaching of long-time NFL assistant John Benton in 2025, providing sterling protection for Sam Darnold and igniting a run game that got hot at the perfect time down the stretch and kept rolling into the playoffs, paving the way for a 17-3 record that culminated with hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Analysis: Latest on Devon Witherspoon, Potential Seahawks Extension Candidates
Wrapping up their offseason program last week, the Seattle Seahawks won’t be back in action until players and coaches report for the start of training camp on July 25, but that doesn’t mean the next five weeks will be quiet ones at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
While players and coaches take advantage of rare time off on the NFL calendar, general manager John Schneider and a suddenly patchwork front office following the departures of Nolan Teasley and Trent Kirchner to Minnesota will be digging in deep on potential contract extensions for several star players. Most notably, Seattle has yet to ink cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a new contract after the team made an offer to the player three months ago without an agreement being reached.
A little over a month away from the start of the 2026 season, will Schneider and the Seahawks be able to cross the finish line re-signing Witherspoon? And after extending pass rusher Derick Hall during OTAs, which other players entering the final year of their current contract could also be in line for a new deal this summer?
Here’s the latest intel on three veterans who may or may not have a new contract in tow when camp begins:
Seahawks’ Road to Super Bowl Repeat Becomes Far Trickier Following Pair of Blockbuster Trades
Closing in on a new season as the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks will have massive targets on their backs every single week, and rivals have already started throwing darts aiming for the bullseye two months before training camp even begins.
Kicking off the month of June with a rare flurry of blockbuster deals for the early summer, the Los Angeles Rams traded a 2027 first round pick, 2028 second round pick, and 2029 third round pick along with defensive end Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns to acquire superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett. Shortly after, the New England Patriots executed their own blockbuster to give quarterback Drake Maye a new No. 1 weapon, trading a 2028 first round pick and 2027 fifth round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for standout receiver A.J. Brown.
Of those two moves, the Brown deal carries the most significance in terms of immediacy, as the Seahawks will see Brown donning a silver shell, white jersey, and nautical blue pants right out of the gate in their season opening Super Bowl LX rematch versus the Patriots at Lumen Field. The talented receiver will be reunited with coach Mike Vrabel after previously spending several seasons together in Tennessee and will replace Stefon Diggs as the team’s top pass catcher atop a significantly different receiving corps.
Which Players Have Seahawks Drafted After Official 30 Pre-Draft Visits?
With the 2026 NFL Draft less than three weeks away in Pittsburgh, the Seattle Seahawks and all 32 teams are tying up loose ends and finishing official visits with a variety of prospects. These on-site meetings allow players to meet with coaches and personnel staff as well as undergo medical examinations and physicals.
So far, the Seahawks have been linked to 15 prospects for official 30 visits, including multiple potential first-round targets such as Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood and Missouri defensive end Zion Young.
In terms of relevance, the majority of players who fly out to Seattle for these pre-draft visits won't be drafted by the team, as only 26 of their 137 draft choices since 2011 have been used on players reported to make those visits, or just 18.9%. However, recent history suggests at least one of their slated four picks in this year’s draft will be a player who visited the team facility this spring, while several others could be signed as priority undrafted free agents or brought in for a tryout at rookie minicamp. These visits offer plenty of significance for general manager John Schneider and the front office, and that trend continued even after the arrival of Mike Macdonald as Pete Carroll’s successor.
Looking back at their past 15 drafts, with 2021 being excluded due to most visits being done virtually because of COVID protocols, which players who reportedly attended official “30” visits at the VMAC wound up being drafted or signing with the team?
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks in Great Shape for Present, Future Offensively
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s offense look for both the present and the future?
Analysis: Ranking Seahawks Biggest Remaining Needs After First Wave of Free Agency
The free agency period isn’t over in the NFL with plenty of players still seeking new homes, but only one week into the new league year, activity has slowed down substantially with most teams either bargain shopping or fully shifting attention to the looming 2026 NFL Draft.
Beginning the quest to defend their Super Bowl title, the Seattle Seahawks expectedly suffered a handful of big losses in the early stages of free agency, including three starters from that championship squad signing elsewhere. But general manager John Schneider fared quite well keeping the backbone of the team together, re-signing or tendering 13 of their 18 free agents, while adding four external free agents on one-year contracts to help fill the new voids to an extent.
Now entering the next stage of free agency as final preparations for the draft get underway, which positions stand out as the Seahawks’ biggest areas of need midway through the offseason?
Analysis: 7 Burning Questions to Determine if Seahawks Will Win or Lose Super Bowl LX
After nearly two weeks of relentless coverage and chatter that has left fans on both sides experiencing a bad case of cabin fever, the Seattle Seahawks will finally hit the field with a chance to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots as the two teams meet at Levis Stadium in Sunday’s big game.
With both teams boasting top-three scoring offenses and physical, well-coached defenses, Sunday has all of the ingredients for a back-and-forth brawl on the biggest stage in professional sports. To earn their second Lombardi, the Seahawks will have to hope for the right answers to seven burning questions.
‘I’m a Seahawk, Damnit’: Could John Benton Stick Around Post-Super Bowl With Young O-Line Nucleus?
With Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to take the Las Vegas Raiders vacant head coaching job, it has been widely speculated that the play caller will bring offensive line coach John Benton along with him to the Sin City.
But with such decisions not to be made until after Super Bowl LX on Sunday, even considering his previous connections working with Kubiak both in New Orleans and Seattle as well as coaching under Kubiak’s father Gary in Houston, Benton staying put in the Pacific Northwest should not be ruled out.
Speaking with the Emerald City Spectrum during Thursday’s media scramble at the San Jose Convention Center, when asked about whether or not he could provide an answer on the possibility of following Kubiak to Las Vegas on the heels of speaking glowingly about his current offensive line group, Benton emphatically responded, “I’m a Seahawk, damnit!”
‘Getting Into a Groove’: How Ken Walker III, Seahawks’ Emerging Run Game Fueled Super Bowl Run
The Seahawks hung tough in a tight NFC West race for much of the 2025 season behind Sam Darnold’s arm and a stingy “Darkside” defense. But no development has been bigger in the pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy than Ken Walker III and a mauling line finding their groove.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Tangle With Panthers in Battle of First Place Squads
Seeking division championships with two weeks remaining on the schedule, the Seahawks and Panthers’ hopes on Sunday could rest on which offensive line can fend off ferocious defensive fronts the best. Which matchups will dictate who earns a massive Week 17 win?
Seahawks ‘Optimistic’ Jalen Sundell Returns to Boost O-Line vs. Colts
The Seahawks have continued to play winning football since Jalen Sundell went down in Week 10 with a knee injury. With the second-year center ready to return to action, how should Mike Macdonald and his staff proceed installing him in the lineup?
Report Card: Top Performers in Seahawks’ 37-9 Road Win vs. Falcons
A second half blitz on offense, defense, and special teams pushed the Seahawks to a blowout win over the Falcons in Atlanta. Who stood out in Seattle’s 10th victory of the season?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Take on Titans in Nashville
Entering Sunday’s road tilt as heavy favorites against the one-win Titans, the Seahawks should have several advantageous matchups working in their favor, though the underdogs may have a big one to lean on with the visitors dealing with offensive line injuries.
Comparing Rivals: How Do Seahawks, Rams’ Offenses Stack Up Against Each Other?
Racing out to 7-2 starts, the Seahawks and Rams have put a ton of points on the board behind their star quarterbacks, talented receiving corps, and improved offensive lines. Where does each team hold an edge going into Sunday’s first matchup at SoFi Stadium?
Keys to Victory: How Seahawks Can Sweep Cardinals in Week 10 Rematch
With both teams battling through a bunch of injuries, the Seahawks and Cardinals will have some new faces set to make an impact as they battle for the second time in seven weeks. What must Seattle do to earn a season sweep against its rival for the second straight year?
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