The Seattle Seahawks didn’t spend the offseason acting like a team that had already arrived. That’s the point. Even after winning 14 regular-season games, finishing as a top-five team on both offense and defense, getting through brutal playoff competition, and staying in control in the Super Bowl, John Schneider still went to work and added pieces for Mike Macdonald’s roster.
Most of the starting lineup looks set, with Coby Bryant and Kenneth Walker III among the few exceptions. But that doesn’t mean the new arrivals are just depth for depth’s sake. Three newcomers in particular could force their way into bigger roles and start changing the shape of the depth chart early in 2026.
Bud Clark is the kind of addition that can make a secondary even more annoying to face. Julian Love, Ty Okada, and Nick Emmanwori are expected to handle most of the snaps at safety, but Seattle also brought in a true ball-hawk in Clark. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde should have plenty of reasons to get the second-round pick on the field.
Love brings the most experience, and Emmanwori has already shown he can line up just about anywhere. That leaves Clark in position to challenge Okada for playing time. His athletic traits and instincts could eventually put him in line to take over Okada’s starting spot, and his presence may also make D’Anthony Bell expendable in his second stint with the team.
Noah Igbinoghene faces a similar squeeze, even though he’s currently listed as the starting slot corner. In obvious passing situations, though, Emmanwori will most likely be on the field. He’s also reportedly working on his pass-rushing moves and repertoire, which could lead to even more usage in that role in his second season.
That opens the door for Igbinoghene to become the next man up after him. The former Washington Commanders star has plenty of slot experience, and while boundary snaps don’t look like they’ll be there for him, he still projects to have a significant role in the secondary.
Then there’s Dante Fowler Jr., who might be the most interesting of the bunch. He’s coming off a down year, but a new setting could be exactly what gets him back to the level he’s shown before. In Seattle’s deep pass-rushing group, he can stay fresher and be more efficient as a rotational player.
DeMarcus Lawrence is projected to start, but Fowler is the clear next man up. Lawrence hasn’t lost a step, but Father Time is ruthless, and this could be the year Fowler takes on the heavier load.
He’s penciled in to fill the Boye Mafe role, but he brings more experience and, with all due respect, a better track record. The Seahawks like rotating their pass rushers, and Fowler may end up being one of the main ones in 2026.
In Other News...
Seahawks Camp Already Has One New Concern Fans Will Notice
The Seahawks second day of training camp brought a packed crowd to watch the action, and it also offered a few early hints about how the roster is taking shape. Dante Fowler Jr. was back on the field after sitting out the previous day, while DAnthony Bell continued working in for Nick Emmanwori as the rookie recovers, giving the staff an early look at how the secondary may have to adapt in the meantime.
There were still the usual camp flashes, too, including Cooper Kupp turning in a diving one-handed grab that drew attention from the stands. But the more pressing concern for Seattle is how these first few practices are already forcing some shuffling, and the next round of sessions, with one open to fans and another closed, should offer a clearer picture of where the early depth chart is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Handed Brian Fleury Their Biggest Offensive Headache
The Seahawks offense is heading into a tricky stretch with Brian Fleury taking over as coordinator after Klint Kubiak left for the Raiders, and the timing only sharpens the scrutiny. Seattle was already stuck in the middle of the pack in the most unforgiving part of the field, finishing 23rd in the NFL in goal-to-go success last season, a number that sits well behind where the Rams and 49ers have been operating in the NFC West.
Fleury inherits more than a playbook change. Seattle is dealing with key players either unavailable or working back from injury, which puts even more weight on how quickly the new coordinator can settle the offense and find answers near the goal line. For a team that has struggled to turn red-zone chances into touchdowns, the next step is as much about health and timing as it is about scheme. [Read more 🡒]