Analysis: Investigating Seahawks’ Key Defensive 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. Even with Riq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe gone, 11 of the 13 players who logged at least 700 defensive snaps in 2025 remain under contract heading into the new season, presenting rare continuity for a defending champion.
Thanks to the minimal changes, Seattle will open the final phase of the offseason program without many starting jobs up for grabs on defense, leaving rotational reserve roles as the main competitions to play out over the summer. The entire interior defensive line and linebacker corps will return from last year’s Super Bowl squad along with the majority of key starters back in the secondary, headlined by All-Pro Devon Witherspoon and rising star Nick Emmanwori.
But while few starting jobs may be on the line, the Seahawks should still have some enticing competitions on tap on the defensive side of the football when they hit the practice field next week, including a pair of significant openings to replace Woolen and Bryant in the secondary that will be buoyed by using four draft picks at the two positions last month.
Which battles offer the most intrigue with two months until the start of training camp?
Analysis: Which Seahawks’ Future/Reserve Signings Could Break Out in 2026?
Ushering in a new offseason on the heels of their Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with 15 practice squad players on future/reserve deals, ensuring they would be on the 90-man roster once the new league year opens on March 11.
While these moves may not seem significant with the majority of the players signed by Seattle on Thursday offering minimal NFL regular season experience. But just this past season, third year safety Ty Okada went from being a future/reserve signing in January to emerging as a key starter with starters Julian Love and Coby Bryant battling injuries, recording 65 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups while starting a total of 11 games in coach Mike Macdonald’s secondary.
Looking at Seattle’s latest crop of future/reserve signings, which players have the best shot to become the 2026 version of Okada as an unexpected breakout player for the Seahawks?
Seahawks Add Safety Depth to Practice Squad
As Julian Love continues to work back from his latest hamstring injury, the Seahawks added extra insurance at the safety position on the practice squad.
Final Seahawks Seven-Round Mock: Who Will Seattle Land in 2025 NFL Draft?
Armed with five selections in the first 92 picks, the Seahawks have a prime chance to do real damage infusing young talent onto their roster in the 2025 NFL Draft. Who will John Schneider bring on board as part of his 16th class at the helm?