While a lot of players spend their down time of the offseason traveling, or with family, or at weddings, Seahawks left guard Grey Zabel spent his time at his farm in Mound City, South Dakota which is about an hour and 45 minutes south of Bismark, North Dakota. The small town, which is home to fewer than 100 people, is where Zabel spends his downtown from football. He has 245 acres of farmland that needed some work done between offseason workouts and the start of training camp.
"Just scouting crops, kind of cleaning up a yard to build a feedlot there," Zabel said. "And so I was having to pull fence throughout almost every day I was up there. So that was just an absolute pleasure. Just reminds me of why I'm not a rancher. So it was good, but at the end of the day, I was excited to get out here [to training camp], and it just made it that much more enjoyable to fly out to the Pacific Northwest."
Compared to football, Zabel said farming is the hard part of his year.
"The Dakota summer was not nice," he said. "It was way too hot out. But I always said when I was back home, I get to come out here and have fun and play football. I'm done working. So now it's having fun playing football and enjoying life."
And now, while he is away at training camp, battling with defensive tackle Byron Murphy II during one-on-one pass rush drills or taking in advice from veteran Leonard Williams, his dad, Mark Zabel, aka the "head agronomist," is taking care of the land.
"He's one of one," Zabel said. "He allows me to come out here and play this game of football. And he kind of holds down the fort back there.
"Yesterday he was [at the farm]. I got about 20 different pictures and videos of the crops and all that stuff. So it's good to get kind of a piece of home as you're out here playing. So it also just reminds me there's more things in life than football if you have a bad day."
The self-deprecating Zabel is often his own harshest critic, and says his second training camp is going a "little bit better" than his rookie year training camp.
"Can finally kind of take a deep breath and realize what's happening, understand kind of the game a little bit better," he said.
In Year 2, he is understanding the game better and part of that is just more experience and part of that is the teammates on the opposite side of the ball that he gets to go up against every day.
"I'm not just absolutely swimming, trying to keep my head above water like I was last year," he said. "I just kind of understand the tempo, the pace, the practice a little bit better. Then you get a feel for how fast the NFL moves and what to expect. So this year, it's not about staying alive or keeping your head above water, it's kind of the excelling part of getting better, continuing to work on your craft, and hone in as you're going against some of the best D-linemen and defense in the entire league."
After a rookie season where Zabel was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team he's taking this second year to learn and fix the mistakes from Year 1.
"You look back at the rookie tape and really take a deep dive," he said. "For the good stuff you did do, there's a lot of really bad stuff that you've got to clean up and learn from and continue to grow and get better. The coolest part is you just continue to show up day after day and put in good work and play football. We have good enough coaches here on staff that it allows you to grow and get better and continue to hone in. That's just a testament to the staff that we have and the operations that we have out here in Seattle."
Seahawks players practiced in front of the 12s on Friday, July 31 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman with cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman with tight end Nick Vannett (83) at practice on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) and wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett (83) and safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) and safety Rodney Thomas II (24) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
ISeahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde with Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman at practice on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
