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# Seahawks 90-Man Rundown: Josh Ross Has Distinct Advantage With Built-In Familiarity
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-seahawks-josh-ross-90-man-rundown/
- Published: 2025-07-11T16:40:35.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:19:23.000Z
- Author: Nick Lee
- Tags: Seahawks, Josh Ross, 90-Man Rundown

\[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="660"\]

![  Seattle Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross warms up prior to a Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Josh Ross/Instagram  ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/475250474_18483200881056194_5896195719489591263_n-format-original-1.jpg)

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross warms up prior to a Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Josh Ross/Instagram \[/caption\]

With their offseason program all wrapped up, the Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC on July 23, meaning the start of the upcoming season will be here before fans have a chance to blink.

In preparation for year number two under coach Mike Macdonald, I’ll be detailing every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks, dishing out fun facts, exploring best and worst case scenarios, and predicting what to expect from each player entering the 2025 campaign.

Familiar with Macdonald from his days at Michigan as well as with the Ravens, can Ross use that previous experience, along with his special teams abilities, to stick on the roster this time?

### Josh Ross

**Height/Weight**: 6-0, 229 pounds

**2024 Stats**: Nine tackles

During his time at Michigan in 2021, Mike Macdonald served as Michigan’s defensive coordinator. During that season, Ross completed his fifth season in the program and was one of the main linebackers in the group, totaling 106 tackles and nine tackles for loss as part of a much-improved Wolverines defense that led to Macdonald returning to the NFL a year later. Going undrafted in 2022, Ross followed his former coach to the Baltimore Ravens, spending his first few seasons primarily contributing on special teams while bouncing on and off the practice squad, pitching in two tackles in limited regular season action.

Reuniting with Macdonald again, Seattle claimed Ross off waivers from Baltimore in October 2024, shortly after trading for Ernest Jones IV, and he immediately added depth to special teams. Dressing for 10 games after joining the Seahawks, he contributed four tackles on special teams while playing 167 snaps in the third phase of the game. The team brought him back on a new one-year contract as an exclusive rights free agent, presenting another opportunity to latch on as a core special teams player and reserve off-ball linebacker in the Pacific Northwest.

**Fun Fact**: Ross logged over 345 special teams snaps at Michigan, coached by Jay Harbaugh before Harbaugh joined Seattle’s coaching staff, making Ross part of a well-known legacy of special teams performance under the Harbaughs.

**Best Case Scenario**: Ross carves out a role as a core special-teams ace, possibly advancing to rotational defensive snaps if injury or performance gaps emerge. His inside knowledge of Macdonald's schemes and strong Michigan relationship could make him a trusted depth piece - allowing him to appear on defense sporadically - and perhaps earn increased special teams responsibility and tackle count. There is not much depth behind Ernest Jones and Tyrice Knight, giving Ross a shot to use his history with Macdonald to his advantage.

**Worst Case Scenario**: Ross is out-played by others vying for spots on special teams, including Patrick O’Connell and D’Eryk Jackson. He becomes just a camp body until eventually being cut and sent to the practice squad.

**What to Expect in 2025**: As mentioned, Ross’ familiarity with Macdonald and Jay Harbaugh gives him a distinct advantage over the rest of the competition battling for a backup job at inside linebacker. The coaching staff holds the utmost trust in him to do his job correctly and be assignment sound, which matters a great deal for depth pieces who can be thrust into action at any time due to injuries ahead of them. But with Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight entrenched as starters in the middle and Drake Thomas ahead in the backup rotation, defensive snaps appear limited, so it’s far from a guarantee that he will be on the opening day roster.

If Ross is going to make the initial 53-man roster, it will be due to his special teams prowess. Still, during the preseason, he should get a handful of looks on defense at linebacker. His realistic ceiling in 2025 is that of a special teams regular, racking up five to 10 special teams tackles once again. If the injury bug hits the linebacker spot, Ross may be pressed into duty there because of his knowledge of the scheme and reliability. Given the lack of depth at linebacker, plus Ross’ experience in special teams, he has a good chance to at least crack the roster as a special teams-only player.