Seahawks players took to the practice field Wednesday on a cold, wet rainy afternoon, but left tackle Charles Cross had no problem enduring some typical Seattle winter weather with a smile as he took the field.
After all, it has been a pretty good week for Cross.
On Tuesday, Cross signed a multi-year contract extension with the Seahawks, then with the team returning to practice Wednesday, he was on the field for his first practice action since suffering a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the final three games of the regular season.
"For me personally, I was happy to be back at practice," Cross said when asked about practicing in the rain.
And Cross will be practicing in dreary, Pacific Northwest weather for years to come thanks to the extension he signed on Tuesday, which the 2022 first-round pick hoped would be the case all along.
"It means a lot to me," Cross said of getting a deal done with the Seahawks. "This team, this organization, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. This place is definitely special, and I believe that and in everyone in this building.
"I feel great just being in Seattle, being around my teammates, the organization here. Like I said before, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It's real special to me… I was drafted here. The teammates, the team, the camaraderie that we have, the relationships. Means the world me."
Cross returns this week as the Seahawks begin preparing for a divisional round game against a yet-to-be-determined opponent, and he's back with an offensive line that could be together for several years. Both he and right tackle Abraham Lucas, a fellow 2022-round draft pick, have now signed extensions, while Seattle's three other starters, as well as most of their backups, are still on their rookie contracts. At a position group where continuity is paramount, Cross sees a bright future for Seattle's line.
"I'm very excited about it," he said. "Just the O-line room, the guys in there, they're great guys. I feel like we have a great rapport. We're just one big brotherhood. So just continue to grow and get better from week to week and go on from year to year."
While the plan is to have Cross back for the playoffs, the Seahawks finished out the season with three straight wins with Josh Jones filling in for Cross, including when Jones was battling knee and ankle injuries in Week 18. Cross, like the rest of his teammates and coaches, was impressed with the job Jones did filling in.
"Josh has done a great job coming in and playing week in and week out," Cross said. "He played great in the games he played in in my opinion. I mean, what more could you ask for from Josh? I'm happy for him and proud of him. He's done everything he needs to do."
The Seahawks have a bye week as they clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed but still practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86), tight end Nick Kallerup (89) and wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Logan Brown (73) and tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
