Training Camp Preview: Who Will Win Seahawks Looming Positional Battles?
Opening up training camp as the defending Super Bowl champion, the Seattle Seahawks will have the vast majority of their roster back for their title defense in 2026 after losing only five players in free agency, leaving few question marks in the starting lineup on offense, defense, and special teams rolling into a new year.
But while their roster didn’t undergo near as much turnover as most Super Bowl champs do and most of the starters from last year’s squad remain under contract, with a new eight-player draft class in tow and a handful of veteran additions brought onboard to bolster depth in free agency, the Seahawks still have plenty of positional battles set to play out over the next six weeks and change. This includes the search for a new starting running back along with the need for a new gunner to emerge on punt coverage to replace long-time special teams standout Dareke Young.
With camp set to kick off on July 25, which roster battles stand out as Seattle’s most intriguing? And how will each of them play out over the course of training camp and the preseason?
Ranking Seahawks: Andre Fuller Among Trio of Recent Seventh Round Picks in No. 65-61
With the calendar quickly heading towards July and offseason workouts wrapped up league-wide for the summer, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will soon descend upon the Virginia Mason Athletic Center for the start of training camp, kicking off a much-anticipated 2026 season.
To celebrate the new incoming season, I will be ranking every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks leading up to report day, providing detailed profiles, exploring best and worst case scenarios, and breaking down what to expect from each player entering the 2026 campaign.
Continuing with No. 65-61 on my annual rankings, a veteran running back will look to rediscover his pre-injury groove and a pair of recent seventh round picks have a shot to vie for backup roles at their respective positions.
Stock Watch: Which Seahawks Have Edge in Roster Battles After Offseason Program?
Bringing another offseason program to a close, the Seattle Seahawks wrapped up mandatory minicamp with a spirited final practice session highlighted by strong defense, sending the team into summer break before returning to kick off training camp on July 25.
“I feel like it's been great,” veteran defensive tackle Leonard Williams said. “Great attendance from the leaders, from the older guys. Young guys working hard, trying to be sponges of the game, learn as much as possible. To me, I really just see our culture elevate to another level.”
Coming off an All-Pro season, Williams won’t have to worry about his starting job or roster spot being in jeopardy when Seattle returns to the practice field next month. However, several positional groups on offense and defense already have intense competitions well underway that will continue in earnest in training camp, whether for starting roles or one of the final spots on the 53.
Heading into a six-week moratorium, which competitions have emerged as ones to watch once training camp arrives? And where do things stand on the depth chart at those positions coming out of the offseason program?
Analysis: Investigating Seahawks’ Key Offensive Position Battles Entering OTAs
Set to kick off OTAs next week at the VMAC, the Seattle Seahawks will welcome back plenty of familiar faces from their Super Bowl squad. In fact, all 11 players who logged at least 700 offensive snaps in 2025 remain under contract heading into the new season, presenting rare continuity for a defending champion.
Thanks to the minimal changes, with running back being the lone exception to the rule after losing Ken Walker III to Kansas City in free agency and drafting Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick, Seattle will open the final phase of the offseason program without many starting jobs up for grabs on offense. All five offensive linemen who started last year will return, as will quarterback Sam Darnold and a dynamic receiving corps headlined by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp.
But while few starting jobs may be on the line, the Seahawks should still have some enticing competitions on tap on the offensive side of the football when they hit the practice field next week, including a pair of fun depth contests looming at guard and receiver further bolstered by selections made in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Which battles offer the most intrigue with two months until the start of training camp?
Analysis: Ranking Riq Woolen, Seahawks Projected 2026 Free Agents
Now officially in offseason mode after capturing a Super Bowl title for the second time in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks have several big questions to answer on the free agency front with a new league year set to begin on March 11.
Compared to prior offseasons, the Seahawks have a quite healthy financial situation, as OverTheCap.com has them currently with $62 million in effective cap space, the sixth-most in the NFL. But at the same time, in addition to 16 unrestricted and restricted free agents, general manager John Schneider has several young stars now eligible for extensions, including All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, inevitably meaning that the franchise won’t be able to keep everyone set to hit the market next month.
Looking at Seattle’s projected unrestricted and restricted free agents, who stands out as the players Schneider and company should prioritize re-signing?
Seahawks Designate Elijah Arroyo for Return Off Injured Reserve
Aided by a week off as the NFC’s top seed, the Seahawks hope to have another athletic pass catching option back available for Sam Darnold as they begin preparation for the Divisional Round.
Jay Harbaugh, Seahawks Putting ‘Special’ in Special Teams in NFC West Title Pursuit
A top-five scoring offense and scoring defense has propelled the Seahawks to the top of the NFC standings. But as evidenced again in Atlanta on Sunday, the third phase of the game may be the reason why Seattle belongs in the Super Bowl contender tier.
Scrambling Sam Darnold Rediscovers Mojo in Seahawks’ Blowout Win in Atlanta
In the midst of a lengthy slump with turnovers and sacks stacking in bunches, Sam Darnold pivoted to the most underrated part of his game to get back on track as the Seahawks blitzed the Falcons in the second half on Sunday.
Seahawks Place WR Tory Horton on Injured Reserve, Elevate 2 From Practice Squad to Face Titans
After already missing the previous two games, the Seahawks will be without their standout rookie playmaker for at least another month as he continues to battle through a shin injury.
WATCH: Expect Heavy Dose of Rashid Shaheed in Seahawks’ Debut vs. Cardinals
The Seahawks may not have been inclined to ease Rashid Shaheed into action anyway, but thanks to a litany of injuries, there won’t be any training wheels as his new team has no choice but to fully unleash him five days after arriving from the Saints.
Unsung Heroes Thrive as Seahawks Throttle Commanders in Primetime Thrashing
Throwing four touchdowns in the first half, Sam Darnold deserved all the flowers leading the Seahawks to a blowout win in Landover. But with injuries on both sides of the ball, it was a complete team win with no shortage of standouts shining under the lights.
Halftime Observations: Seahawks Come Out Humming Post-Bye, Lead 31-7 in Washington
Spearheaded by an all-world performance by Sam Darnold, the Seahawks showed no rust coming out of their bye week, racing out to a 24-point lead on the road in prime time.
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Face Commanders on Sunday Night Football
Closer to full strength in the secondary, the Seahawks will be challenged by Jayden Daniels’ mobility, while the chance to awaken an inconsistent run game may present itself for the visitors in prime time against a Commanders defense that has endured plenty of struggles thus far.
Seahawks Rule Out 5 Players For SNF Road Battle at Commanders
Headlined by Julian Love’s prolonged absence, early half a dozen players were ruled out by the Seahawks two days before kickoff, a sign that more moves could be coming in the next 24 hours as the team gears up for a tough road contest against the Commanders.
Injury Report: Seahawks Rule Out 3 Veterans For Season Opener vs. 49ers
Though he’s ramped up his activity at practice, Uchenna Nwosu won’t be ready to suit up for the Seahawks in Sunday’s opener, while two veteran wideouts will also be held out against the 49ers.
Analysis: Breaking Down Seahawks’ Initial 53-Man Roster
The Seahawks have selected their initial 53-man roster with 27 offensive players, 23 defensive players, and three specialists, including a trio of undrafted rookies. Which positions look most regular season ready and where could more moves be on tap in coming days?
Seahawks 90-Man Rundown: Cody White Seeking Significant Role in Retooled Receiver Corps
When he has been gifted the chance to play, Cody White has been impressive for the Seahawks, but it hasn’t led to further opportunities. Will that change now that DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have left town?
What We Learned About Seahawks During Offseason Program - And What We Still Don’t Know
Only so much can be learned about an NFL team in non-padded practices, but that doesn’t mean some questions about the Seahawks weren’t answered over the past three weeks during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, including having a ways to go for the offense to level up to the defense.
Seahawks Minicamp Takeaways: Sam Darnold Shows Unexpected Fire, Line Competition Gets New Wrinkles
As the Seahawks wind down their offseason program with a two-day minicamp, teammates have come to learn a few surprises in regard to Sam Darnold, while the defense’s quick start has been anything but unexpected.
Seahawks OTAs Preview: What to Watch From Cooper Kupp, Revamped WR Corps
With two of the biggest stars in franchise history now gone, the Seahawks will start anew at receiver with several quality veterans and a pair of incoming draft picks set to duke it out for reps behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp this spring.
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