Field Gulls
We’re just over a week away from the start of Seattle Seahawks training camp. The reigning Super Bowl champions have one of those good problems: a lot of talent but only so many roster spots available. It’s very much like when they won their first Super Bowl 12 years ago, which means camp competitions will be plentiful and fierce.
As part of our training camp preview, we’re taking a look at a handful of players who are on that bubble to make the 53-man roster.
As a third-round pick, Haynes was brought in as competition for Anthony Bradford at right guard. After some split time between Bradford and Haynes during the season, by the end of the season he found himself behind Sataoa Laumea on the depth chart. Laumea is currently out of the NFL after he was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers in May.
Given the disastrous experience that was Ryan Grubb and Scott Huff, Haynes (and the rest of the OL) got a reboot under John Benton, a highly respected and experienced coach at this level. While the unit as a whole showed vast improvement from previous seasons, Haynes started training camp doing snaps at center and sitting out some practices with a minor pec injury. Any thought that he could usurp Bradford was squashed in an instant. About a third of his 32 regular season snaps came at center in garbage time against the Minnesota Vikings, while the other two were at either guard position.
Beau Stephens may not be challenging Bradford or even serve as his heir apparent if he leaves in free agency, but the fact that the Seahawks traded back into the fifth round to get him suggests that Haynes is the one whose future is in serious jeopardy.
With Zach Charbonnet highly unlikely to be ready for Week 1 and Kenneth Walker off the team, the running back position is going to be different for the Seahawks this year. Jadarian Price is the marquee name after his first round selection, but he’s not going to be a 20+ carry a game guy (at least not right from the jump). George Holani figures to be at least a part of the rotation, while Emanuel Wilson is the unspectacular but steady free agent signing.
McIntosh has an uphill battle, both for the names ahead of him and also his health. Having beaten out Holani for RB3 back in 2024, McIntosh never got the chance to stake his claim for a roster spot last year after tearing his ACL. The former Georgia star has twice suffered serious knee injuries over three seasons, which is a shame considering the promise he’s shown in limited touches. At the very least, McIntosh as a receiving back would’ve been intriguing, and his running style looks to be ideal for predominantly a zone blocking scheme.
It’s pretty much now or never for McIntosh, especially at a position that is historically known for...
