There has been no shortage of ink spilled discussing how a full offseason of Rashid Shaheed could take the Seattle Seahawks offense to the next level. A healthy Tory Horton and a growing Jadarian Price are both exciting x-factors to consider.
For all of the weapons that could get more and more lethal as they gel, the offensive line in Seattle could be entering a golden age.
Mike Macdonald spoke at the NFL Combine about the impact of the previous rookie class (and Grey Zabel, in particular) in winning
a title in 2025: “Look at the productivity we had of those top two guys, solidifying our offensive line with Grey. And really, the leadership position that he’s taken within our team was really integral to our success on offense.”
Field Gulls’ own Alexandre Castro did a great breakdown of what makes Zabel special at left guard and how he can turn it up a notch. The Seahawks were top five in fewest sacks allowed on offense and saw the ground game spring to life later in the year.
When asked about the offensive scheme continuity from year to year, Grey had this to say: “Quite a bit of carryover. I think it’s the similarity of last year that helps us play fast and understand the offense really well. But there’s a lot of new things, twists to the offense that allows us to gain a little bit more knowledge of the defense and what they’re doing and then be in the best play possible.” He’s CHASING EDGES, ladies and gentlemen!!!
His fellow lineman agrees with him.
Right tackle, Abraham Lucas on how the continuity on the offensive line and with the offensive system helps the O-linemen: “I think it’s pretty night and day from where we started out last year. Speaking for myself, it’s much, much more confident, in like the play calling and running the plays. Just because when we were starting up last year, you’re still kind of learning all the calls and the adjustments and then going out and executing all of them after a day of install. And now we’ve had basically a whole year of install.”
Do we dare give ourselves hope, by considering what it would look like if this offensive line took another big step this season?
The national media has written Seattle off already, due to free agency and coaching hire losses. The Seahawks all seem to be pretty comfortable with the new OC to replace Klint Kubiak, however (as much as you can be before the bullets actually start flying).
Aden Durde (defensive coordinator) was asked about the offense making some plays in training camp: “I think because there’s a lot of carryover.” He expounds on that thought from there, saying that “there’s an understanding of how the rules are-targeting… but they’re doing a great job. The detail’s there, and they’re creating explosives. They’re giving us problems at times. I thought today was a great practice.”
Brian Fleury (the aforementioned new offensive coordinator on the offensive line continuity: “It’s an extremely rare situation to have all five starters returning, especially from a Super Bowl team. So, I’m walking into a really good situation. And then, I’ve worked with (offensive line coach) John Benton before. He does a phenomenal job of coaching that group, so the cohesion that they already have just makes it really, really easy to implement stuff. Then, when you do realize that an adjustment needs to be made, they’re just so used to working with each other and communicating that adjustments happen lightning fast. So that’s a nice advantage to that situation.”
That’s definitely reassuring to hear. In a world where championship rosters often get pilfered.
The line’s leader, left tackle Charles Cross, gave Benton some flowers, saying that “he’s a very detail-oriented guy. Gives us a lot of clarity. No gray area.” I can’t be sure, but I don’t think that pun was intended. What is obvious, however, is that improvement in the OL room is a group project, and all seem to have a shared vision for what they can do in 2026.
Cross said that they are “continuing to build.” Right guard, Anthony Bradford, in a contract year, said in an interview with Corbin Smith that he is focused on “how can we stack what we did last year and make it even better?” These guys are all saying the right things. Including the guy with potentially the most on the line (pun intended).
Fleury spoke to his feelings on the blitz pickup and blitz recognition against Mike Macdonald’s defense: “I think it was pretty good today.” He goes on to mention how “Sam, particularly, that’s a great job of recognizing those things and getting us into the best possible scenario.”
That right there is an interesting thought to keep in play. Not just the hopeful improvement of an O-line that returns all of their starters… but the efficiency that could come from the signal caller having a stronger and deeper command of the whole operation.
The oft alluded to “continuity” along the protecting wall we be even further tested soon. This might be a real-time case study in how much that actually helps a young group get better together. The heat of joint practice against the Tennessee Titans (at Vanderbilt) should provide a good litmus test before the campaign begins.
Do I need to remind anyone what Jeffery Simmons did to Laken Tomlinson before Grey Zabel was a thing? That man is still holding it down in Tennessee, this time with Robert Saleh at his back.
If the offense steps up to cover for any falloff from a historic defense, the development of the offensive line will most likely play a huge part.
Let’s hope the line can hold up as a whole, and individually this year. If they can stay healthy, improve just a little bit, and keep Sam Darnold healthy and protected, this team can continue to be a contender. If they can improve a lot? Well, the sky would be the limit for Cross, Zabel, Jalen Sundell, Bradford and Lucas.
