The Seahawks held practice No. 9 of 2026 training camp, a physical, competitive session in full pads that included some exciting one-on-one battles to close out the afternoon.
More on that and other observations from Day 9 of Seahawks training camp:
1. The defense was on point.
One noticeable difference from last year's camp and this year's is that the offense has had more success going against the defense. That's not because the defense has regressed in any way, but rather because the offense is much further ahead of where it was last year thanks to the continuity on that side of the ball.
That has led to some big days and big plays for the offense, including an impressive Sam Darnold to Rashid Shaheed long touchdown on Monday, but a day later, the league's top defense was dialed in and not giving up much to the offense.
During one portion of practice that operated like a modified scrimmage the No. 1 offense was twice stopped by the starting defense without scoring, and the No. 2 defense also was stymied by the No. 2 defense. There were also fewer big plays in general from the offense, and plenty of plays that stood out on defense, from multiple pass breakups by Ty Okada to an impressive run stop in the backfield by Ernest Jones IV, to Uchenna Nwosu releasing from the tackle blocking him to leap and bat down a Darnold pass.
2. Cooper Kupp summed up in a two-play sequence.
Cooper Kupp was one of the few offensive players to find the end zone on Tuesday, catching a pair of touchdown passes in red zone drills, but what might have been more impressive than those scores was a two-play sequence that really demonstrates the type of player he is. First, with the offense facing third-and-10, Kupp got open over the middle for a catch that gained about 15 yards. One play later, Kupp put a physical block on an outside linebacker that allowed Jadarian Price to bounce a run outside for a 5-yard gain.
"We were in a third-and-long situation, and I saw them trying to sub," offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said of that sequence. "We wanted to get up on the ball quickly. He's such a versatile piece, he can do some of the things that tight ends do normally and having him out there definitely makes it easy."
Fleury, who has seen plenty of Kupp as an opponent during his time coaching in San Francisco, has been impressed with what he's seen working with Kupp up close.
"Until you work in a building with him you don't appreciate his love for every aspect of football," he said. "We've had so many conversations about how the O-line is blocking run plays, and things that are completely outside the normal realm of his position group. That's been really cool to experience and I admire that."
3. Facing Seattle's defense has helped the offense get better vs. pressure.
There were a couple of practices early in camp when the defense was getting home at a pretty high rate when Macdonald dialed up blitzes. That has improved of late, with Fleury noting that he liked what he saw on Tuesday.
"I think it was pretty good today," he said. "We worked a drill specifically for that. I don't know what the efficiency numbers were. I think Sam particularly does a great job of recognizing those things and getting into the best possible scenario."
While facing Macdonald's defense can cause headaches for the offense during training camp, that should only help Darnold and company operate at a higher level when the regular season rolls around.
"It helps," Fleury said. "It's more challenging in practice than it will be in a lot of the games, with the variety and the pressure packages and the movement and the physicality they come with every single day. It's good to face that and then transition. When you're game planning and things are a little bit slowed down and a little bit more specific, it makes it seem easier and slower for the players."
4. Practice ended with players being put on the spot.
The Seahawks wrapped up practice Tuesday in a fun but competitive way. With Neiko Thorpe, the team's assistant defensive backs coach and unofficial hype man taking a microphone to call out names, players were called to the middle of the field, with teammates watching from both sidelines, for some one-on-one battles. There were receivers facing cornerbacks, running backs on linebackers, tight ends on safeties, and offensive and defensive linemen in pass-rush drills. Among the highlights was receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. beating fellow rookie Andre Fuller with an impressive double move, allowing him to get open for a long reception on well-thrown deep ball from Jalen Milroe.
Among the linemen one-on-ones, there were a couple of great battles between two 2025 draft picks, guard/tackle Mason Richman and defensive end Rylie Mills.
5. The continuity in the kicking game is evident.
The Seahawks drafted punter Michael Dickson in 2018, then signed kicker Jason Myers a year after that. In 2023, they made a change at long snapper, signing Chris Stoll as an undrafted rookie, which means heading into camp this year, the Seahawks have a kicker and holder (Dickson) who have been together for the past seven seasons, and kicker, holder, long snapper trio that has been together for the past three seasons. To a casual fan, continuity among specialists might not seem like a big deal, but given how important timing is for field goals, extra points and punts, the familiarity those players have with each other is significant, especially given how much less practice time is dedicated to the kicking game compared to offense and defense.
"They have a pretty set routine, and they're working on getting their chemistry fully back," special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh said. "There's a substantial amount of time after the season where they're not working together, and then they build that chemistry over time. Their timing and the expectation, they're so good with each other about the standard of, 'Hey, this is exactly what I'm expecting,' and they can correct each other. They correct themselves before they even correct each other, so it's really fun watching them work."
Harbaugh added that the continuity among those three is "a big deal. There might be a sense of over the course of a couple months, you've got to get back into the groove, but when you have that underlying chemistry, relationship and trust, it doesn't take quite as long to get in sync as if there was a new group of three guys or one new guy added."
The Seahawks returned to the practice field on Monday, August 3 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Michael Bennett with Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Michael Bennett with linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) and linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) at practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Michael Bennett with linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) and linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) at practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril attended practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Michael Bennett attended practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson attended practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Warren Moon attended practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) and fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and safety Rodney Thomas II (24) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86), wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) and running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8), running back George Holani (36), running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and running back Emanuel Wilson (27) at practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) and wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) with San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson at practice on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
