4. The secondary looks deep, but we’re still waiting to see the full complement of options at linebacker.
Speaking of Witherspoon, he is just a part of what looks to be a very deep secondary, one that includes three Pro-Bowlers in Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Julian Love, as well as a mix of experienced and young players. At cornerback, Witherspoon, Woolen and Tre Brown look to be top trio for now, but there are plenty of players pushing for playing time behind them, including former starter Mike Jackson, veteran Artie Burns and 2024 draft picks D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett. Safety, meanwhile, underwent significant change with the team moving on from Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, then signing free agents Rayshawn Jenkins and K’Von Wallace. Among those joining Love, Wallace and Jenkins in the competition at safety are Coby Bryant, a former starter at nickel corner who began the switch to safety last season, and Jerrick Reed II, a standout on special teams as a rookie before tearing his ACL.
“We are really excited about our secondary, and I think there is some flexibility there,” Macdonald said. “We can get some personnel groups for guys moving around, play matchup ball a little bit. They’re in a good spot.”
What’s less clear as of now, however, is how things will look in front of that secondary. The Seahawks signed Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson as potential starters to replace Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks, but both missed most of the on-field work during offseason workouts while rehabbing injuries from last season. There’s still plenty of time for both to catch up and both could very well end up starters when the season begins, but in the meantime, their absences have meant a big opportunity for Jon Rhattigan and Patrick O’Connell, who saw extensive work with the starting defense.