The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for their 2026 training camp, and the focus is on their offense, which boasts a rare level of continuity. With nearly 87% of their offensive and defensive snaps retained from their 2025 championship-winning team, the Seahawks have a solid foundation to build upon. However, this continuity also means that there aren't many starting spots up for grabs, leading to fierce roster battles and difficult decisions.
One of the key areas of interest is the quarterback position. Sam Darnold, who has had back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns and a Super Bowl title, enters the season on a strong footing. He's adjusting to his ninth offensive coordinator in nine seasons, but the new OC, Brian Fleury, runs a similar Shanahan-style system, making the transition smoother. Seattle is likely to roster three quarterbacks again, with Drew Lock as an experienced backup and Jalen Milroe as a long-term developmental project.
Milroe's development will be a crucial aspect of the team's strategy. He'll need to show progress during training camp and the preseason to carve out a role as a change-of-pace weapon in specialty packages. Seattle briefly experimented with this last season, but Milroe's costly fumble in Week 5 led to the idea being shelved.
Moving on to the running back position, the Seahawks are likely to adopt a running-back-by-committee approach. With Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, first-round pick Jadarian Price is the favorite to open as RB1. George Holani and free agent addition Emanuel Wilson are the likely candidates to join Price in the backfield, with Holani's postseason performance and Wilson's previous success in Green Bay making them strong contenders.
The wide receiver position is also an area of interest. Reigning NFL receiving leader Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, and Tory Horton return as the top four wideouts. However, the team's sixth receiver role is up for grabs, with rookie sixth-round pick Emmanuel Henderson Jr., former Jets special teams ace Irv Charles, Cody White, and Ricky White III in the running. Henderson, in particular, stands out with his big-time speed, receiving upside, and proven special teams prowess.
At tight end, the Seahawks will look to get more out of Elijah Arroyo, who had a relatively underwhelming rookie campaign. AJ Barner, despite playing through injuries last year, managed to pile up impressive receiving yards and touchdowns. Eric Saubert and Nick Kallerup are likely to return as run-blocking specialists, but the team's roster crunch could lead to a reduction in the number of tight ends.
The offensive line is another area of focus. With all 11 offensive linemen who played last season returning and the addition of All-American guard Beau Stephens, the roster battles in the trenches will be intense. Charles Cross, Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, Anthony Bradford, and Abraham Lucas are locks to make the roster, but several players will compete for the starting right guard spot.
Olu Oluwatimi's name has been floated as a potential trade candidate, given his starting-caliber skills and blocked path to a starting job. The team's strategy will depend on Mason Richman's development as a possible backup center, with Richman working at tackle/guard and center this spring.
In conclusion, the Seattle Seahawks' training camp will be a crucial period for the team to assess their offensive battles and make strategic decisions. With a rare level of continuity and a few key positions up for grabs, the Seahawks will need to carefully evaluate their options and make the most of their roster battles to ensure a successful season.
