The Seattle Seahawks’ first padded practice of the 2026 training camp gave Mike Macdonald exactly the kind of day he wants to see in August.
After a scheduled day off, Seattle was back on the field Thursday, and the head coach didn’t hide how much he liked the whole scene. The pads came on for the first time this camp, the work got a little more physical, and Macdonald came away raving about the setting and the energy.
“Well, I don't know if it gets much better than this,” Macdonald remarked of the Seattle summer day in his press conference. “Beautiful weather, training camp, pads on, playing football, we got bald eagles flying, we got the blue angels in the sky, it's pretty awesome.
We're very blessed, awesome day, great practice. Guys were after it [for the] 10 a.m. practice coming off an off day.
Guys were in it. It was all around a really great day, really pleased.”
It was the first padded session of camp, a step up from the non-padded work that still matters for installing the scheme and sharpening technique. The difference Thursday was the added physical edge, even without tackling to the ground.
That kind of contact fits the way Macdonald likes to run things. He has leaned into competitive, physical practices, and that approach remains a big part of Seattle’s identity in camp.
A few players made the most of the opportunity. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II kept rolling, winning battles in one-on-one pass-rush work and adding another strong day to what has already been an impressive camp. Rookie safety Bud Clark also kept building momentum after Macdonald had already pointed to him as having his best practice of camp, strengthening his push for a future spot in a deep Seahawks secondary.
Linebacker Tyrice Knight continued his steady start as well. Knight played multiple roles last season after returning from a knee injury in 2025, and he’s opened this camp on solid footing.
There was also a notable return, with rookie defensive tackle Deven Eastern back from the physically unable to perform list for his first practice. Safety Nick Emmanwori, meanwhile, remained out while recovering from ankle surgery.
A handful of other players sat out Thursday with what Macdonald called routine training camp issues: wide receiver Jake Bobo, cornerback Julian Neal, nose tackle Brandon Pili, and linebackers Jamie Sheriff and Jared Ivey.
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