Seahawks rookies face high-stakes competition at 2026 training camp
As the Seattle Seahawks prepare for the 2026 season, running back Jadarian Price, safety Bud Clark, and right guard Anthony Bradford must navigate intense internal competition before veterans join the squad.
The Seattle Seahawks’ 2026 NFL draft rookie class is scheduled to report to training camp on Friday, July 17, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton. Head coach Mike Macdonald has structured the initial phase to allow new additions an extra week to acclimatise to their first professional environment before the veteran players arrive on July 24. This staggered timeline places immediate emphasis on the rookies’ ability to establish themselves within the squad’s hierarchy.
Running back Jadarian Price enters the camp with the explicit objective of potentially replacing Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III. However, Price faces a congested backfield that includes healthy veterans George Holani and Emanuel Wilson, as well as Zach Charbonnet, who is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ACL injury. Price’s ability to secure a starting role will depend on his performance during this initial training period.
At safety, second-year player Bud Clark is competing for playing time against established starters Julian Love and Nick Emmanwori. Clark’s versatility and ballhawking mentality align with the defensive preferences of Coach Macdonald, but he must also contend with veteran Ty Okada for remaining roster spots. A strong showing at camp could provide Clark with a decisive advantage in the competition for defensive snaps.
Right guard Anthony Bradford is navigating a contract year while facing internal competition for the reserve role. Third-year professional Christian Haynes and rookie Beau Stephens are vying to be the first option off the bench. The outcome of this competition carries long-term implications, as Stephens is viewed as the favourite to replace Bradford in the starting lineup for the 2027 season if he secures the reserve position.
The Seahawks’ training camp schedule underscores the depth and complexity of the roster construction under Macdonald. With multiple positions featuring overlapping talent and significant contractual stakes, the upcoming weeks at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center will serve as a critical evaluation period for both new and existing personnel ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
