Anthony Bradford’s Struggles Continue as Seahawks Push for NFC Supremacy
The Seattle Seahawks are flying high at 11-3, tied atop the NFC with the Los Angeles Rams and poised to make some serious postseason noise. But even amid all the winning, one glaring issue continues to surface week after week - the play of right guard Anthony Bradford.
Now in his third NFL season, Bradford has logged more snaps than ever before. A 2023 fourth-round pick out of LSU, he’s been given every opportunity to settle in as a reliable piece of Seattle’s offensive line. But instead of taking a step forward, his performance has become a weekly concern - and it’s not just showing up on film, it’s going viral.
Bradford’s outing in Sunday’s narrow 18-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts was another tough watch. It was a game that marked Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL after a five-year hiatus, but it also spotlighted Bradford’s ongoing struggles in pass protection.
On multiple key plays, the guard looked out of sync - missing assignments, getting beat off the line, and failing to anchor against pressure. The clips circulating online don’t lie: Bradford is having a hard time holding his ground.
And this wasn’t an isolated case. Bradford has had a rough go of it all season.
According to Pro Football Focus, he’s committed three penalties and allowed two sacks so far. His overall PFF grade sits at 50.0, but it’s the pass-blocking grade that really jumps off the page - and not in a good way.
At 37.7, it ranks 71st out of 77 qualified guards. That’s a number that tells the story of a player who’s struggling to keep up with the speed and power of NFL interior defenders.
Now, to be fair, it’s not uncommon for young offensive linemen to take time to develop. The jump from college to the NFL trenches is massive.
But at this point in the season, with the Seahawks in the thick of a playoff race and chasing the NFC’s top seed, every snap matters. Seattle’s margin for error is razor-thin, and breakdowns in protection can be the difference between a first-round bye and a road trip in January.
What’s made Seattle’s success even more remarkable is that they’ve managed to win despite issues like this. The defense has been the backbone of the team, allowing just 17.3 points per game - second-best in the league behind only the Houston Texans. That unit has consistently bailed the team out, keeping games close and giving the offense just enough breathing room to get the job done.
And credit where it’s due: Sam Darnold has been a stabilizing force at quarterback. After bouncing around the league, he’s found his rhythm in Seattle and has been a clear upgrade over Geno Smith, who’s struggled mightily this year with the Raiders. Darnold’s poise and decision-making have brought consistency to the offense, even when the line hasn’t always held up.
Then there’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s taken his game to another level. The second-year wideout leads the league with 1,541 receiving yards, turning into a true WR1 threat and giving Seattle a dynamic weapon in the passing game. His emergence has helped offset some of the offensive line’s shortcomings, giving Darnold a reliable target who can create separation quickly.
The Seahawks are already guaranteed to snap their three-year playoff drought, but the question now is how far they can go. With a Thursday night showdown against the Rams looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win would give Seattle sole possession of first place in the NFC and a clearer path to home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But for that to happen, they’ll need every part of the machine running smoothly - and that includes the offensive line. Whether the coaching staff decides to stick with Bradford or explore other options, it’s clear that something needs to change up front. Because come January, the pass rushes get fiercer, the margins tighter, and every weakness gets magnified.
Bradford still has time to turn things around, but the clock is ticking. The Seahawks are contenders - and contenders can’t afford liabilities in the trenches.