The NFC West has long been a trendsetter in the NFL, with teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams leading the charge in innovative strategies. The Seahawks' defense is a blueprint many teams aspire to replicate, while the Rams' offense, especially their use of multiple tight ends, is a model for others to follow.
Interestingly, the Seahawks have also embraced the tight end-heavy approach. Despite Sean McVay's offensive acclaim and Mike Macdonald's defensive prowess, Seattle's defense emerged victorious in 2025.
This offseason, the Seahawks welcomed a new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, following Klint Kubiak's promotion to head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Fleury is expected to continue utilizing tight ends prominently in his game plans, potentially bringing back a familiar face from the Rams.
The buzz around a potential reunion with Colby Parkinson is growing, especially if the Rams decide to release him before final roster cuts in late August. It's not a question of talent-Parkinson is a capable NFL player-but rather the depth at the tight end position in LA that could lead to his release.
Seattle already boasts a promising tight end lineup with rising star AJ Barner and the rapidly improving Elijah Arroyo, who could see a significant boost in his receiving stats this year. Veteran Eric Saubert, who has a history with Fleury from their time with the San Francisco 49ers, adds valuable experience and insight into the new offensive system.
Could the Seahawks make room for four tight ends? Absolutely, especially if the offensive scheme demands it. Tight ends aren't just pass-catchers; their blocking prowess is crucial for masking offensive plays and adding versatility to the lineup.
While Colby Parkinson remains a Ram for now, his proven track record as a red-zone threat-evidenced by his eight touchdowns last season-makes him an attractive option for Seattle. General manager John Schneider's faith in Parkinson dates back to his selection in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, reflecting his potential fit in the Pacific Northwest. Should the Rams release him, Parkinson could seamlessly integrate into Brian Fleury's system, adding another layer to Seattle's dynamic offense.
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3 Overlooked Seahawks Could Become Mike Macdonald Favorites Fast
Chazz Surratt, Rylie Mills and Rodney Thomas II are the kind of under-the-radar additions that can matter more in January than in September. Surratt has already carved out a real lane for himself by helping on special teams, the sort of work that rarely grabs headlines but usually earns trust inside a building. Mills, meanwhile, brings a different kind of intrigue after flashing in limited action and giving Seattle a glimpse of how disruptive he can be when he is on the field.
Rodney Thomas II fits the same theme in a different way, a veteran safety looking for a clean reset in a system that asks a lot from the back end. Under Mike Macdonald, there is room for players like this to move quickly if they can take to the details and give the staff reliable snaps when called upon. For a Seahawks team trying to stockpile dependable depth, each of these three has a path to becoming far more important than the outside noise suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Drake Thomas Just Changed The Seahawks Depth Conversation
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The Seahawks clearly noticed, too, by re-signing him after the breakout season and locking in a player who fits what they want on defense. Thomas gave Seattle production, reliability and the kind of flexibility that matters in a modern scheme, which is why his rise now feels less like a pleasant surprise and more like a roster decision the team had to make. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Backfield Buzz Just Made Charbonnets Camp Status Even Bigger
The Seahawks backfield is drawing extra attention as training camp nears, and not just because of the usual summer churn at running back. ESPNs Jeremy Fowler noted that rookie Jadarian Price has already caught the teams eye with his open-field vision, while Seattle also starts sorting through broader offensive changes under Brian Fleury, including more motion and shifts designed to keep defenses guessing.
For a group that already has several moving parts, Zach Charbonnets recovery remains the swing factor in how the depth chart takes shape early in camp. Fowler also highlighted encouraging chemistry between Sam Darnold and Rashee Shaheed as the offense evolves, but the real question for Seattle is how much clarity it gets before the roster ramps up with rookies reporting first and veterans joining soon after. [Read more 🡒]