Seattle Seahawks fans are already doing what fans do best after the first week of training camp: turning every rep into a referendum.
The loudest overreaction right now centers on cornerback Josh Jobe, who has been beaten deep on a few plays and, in some eyes, instantly become the wrong choice over Riq Woolen, who left in free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles. But training camp tape can be a trick mirror, and the plays that look like disasters on social media do not always tell the full story.
One example came when quarterback Sam Darnold hit wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a deep ball, with Kupp having to fully extend to make the catch. There are also reps where Kupp works on that extension in practice.
Another came on a deep throw from Darnold to Rashad Shaeed in the end zone, where Shaheed slowed down just as he was ready to make the catch. Those are the kinds of details that can get lost when a clip is flying around online.
Yes, there are snaps where Shaheed, Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba win against Jobe in coverage or on a route. But that is part of a long training camp, not a final verdict.
The bigger point is simple: it is far too early to decide that the Seahawks made the wrong call by choosing Jobe over Woolen. And from a fit standpoint, Jobe still looks like the better answer.
That fit showed up in the first practice on Saturday, when HawkBlogger’s Brian Nemhauser said Jobe was aggressive on several plays. Nemhauser also reported that Jobe delivered an electrifying hit on tight end AJ Barner. That kind of edge is part of Jobe’s game, even though he is a smaller cornerback.
It was also on display in the Super Bowl LX matchup against the New England Patriots, when he delivered a hard and potentially late hit on wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Jobe plays with the kind of mentality that fits the Dark Side Defense: aggressive to the whistle, ready to finish the play.
Woolen, by contrast, is described as a player who often seemed more focused on his own spotlight than the broader defensive picture. That lack of consistent aggression stood out in Mike Macdonald’s defense and is a major reason he was benched.
Jobe is not perfect, but he has shown he can be trusted. Give him more time against route-runners like JSN and Shaheed, and he should settle in just fine.
In Other News...
Seahawks Camp Is Quietly Shaping Two Huge Week 1 Concerns
The early tone around Seahawks camp has been more encouraging than dramatic, which is exactly what a team with a lot of moving parts needs in late summer. Rashid Shaheeds development has been one of the brighter notes, and the arrival of new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury is helping preserve some continuity while the offense settles in. On the other side of the ball, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall and Dante Fowler have all put together solid offseasons, and there is a real sense that younger defenders such as Byron Murphy II and Drake Thomas are positioned to take meaningful steps.
What makes the next few weeks interesting is how much of the roster still feels like it is being sorted out in real time. The secondary has opened up competition after recent departures, and rookies Bud Clark and Julian Neal are among the players trying to carve out roles. Seattle is also keeping a close eye on injured players like Zach Charbonnet, which adds another layer to a camp that has been productive without yet answering all of its biggest questions. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Camp Is Already Revealing A Backfield Pecking Order
Training camp is already giving the Seahawks a clearer look at their backfield hierarchy, and the early competition is centered on Emmanuel Wilson, George Holani and Jadarian Price. With Seattle leaning into a running backs-by-committee approach, the first few practices have done more to sort out the top of the depth chart than to settle it, which is exactly why the battle at the position has become one of the more closely watched parts of camp.
The bigger question now is how the workload will be divided once the roster gets closer to full strength. Charbonnets return is still pending, and his presence could change the shape of the rotation just as the contenders for the RB1 and RB2 roles are trying to separate themselves. For now, the Seahawks are getting an early read on who can handle the most responsibility, even if the final answer is still waiting on another piece of the puzzle. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Cut Short Another Backfield Hope Fans Wanted To See
Kenny McIntoshs time with the Seahawks has been defined more by what never quite got off the ground than by any extended chance to prove himself. A 2023 seventh-round pick, he came into the league with some hope attached, but injuries kept interrupting the conversation, including a knee issue and an ACL tear that limited his playing time and slowed his progress.
Seattles backfield picture keeps moving without him, with Jadarian Price, George Holani, Emanuel Wilson and Zach Charbonnet in the mix when healthy. For a team that has spent the offseason sorting out depth behind its top options, McIntoshs absence is another reminder of how quickly the running back room can change, and how hard it can be for a young player to carve out a role before the next wave arrives. [Read more 🡒]