When the Seahawks needed a stop and a momentum swing early in the fourth quarter of last week's season opener, cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett came up with a big interception, snagging a ball tipped by safety Rodney Thomas II to secure the game's first turnover, which he returned 30 yards to help set up his team's first touchdown.
And when the Seahawks needed a final stop to secure an eventual 13-10 victory, it was cornerback Josh Jobe making a spectacular, toe-tapping interception in end zone to clinch a Week 1 win over the Patriots.
The Seahawks defense has plenty of star power on it, including Pro-Bowlers and All-Pros like Leonard Williams, Devon Witherspoon, Ernest Jones IV, Julian Love and DeMarcus Lawrence, yet two of the biggest plays of the game were made by Jobe, a former undrafted free agent who began his Seattle career on the practice squad, and Pritchett, a former fifth-round pick who spent his first two seasons as a reserve cornerback and special teams player, a play that was assisted by a pass breakup made by Thomas, who was elevated from the practice squad for that game.
And it's no coincidence that players who were former backups, or who were on the practice squad, are able to thrive in big moments. That's part of what the team has built under head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager and president of football operations John Schneider—a roster that is not only deep, but a coaching staff and culture that fosters the development of that depth. A year ago, it was Ty Okada (undrafted out of Montana State in 2023) stepping in at safety and starting 11 games due to injuries, and Drake Thomas (undrafted out of NC State in 2023) winning a starting job at linebacker and turning into one of the defense's top playmakers. And now, Pritchett not only won the No. 3 cornerback job, but stepped up in a big way in the opener, and Jobe has been showing for the past two seasons that he is very good starting cornerback in this league.
"He did a tremendous job," Macdonald said when asked about Pritchett's play in the opener. "He played a great football game. Ball finds energy, there you go. Played a great game, tipped some overthrows, got to get those. You go in, you work your tail off, you put a great offseason together, you attack all the things, you earn the opportunity to play, and then when you go out there, go rip it. It feels like we have the evidence to prove it. When guy's take that approach, they play great football."
Depth matters for every NFL team, but not every NFL team can get the quality of play out of their depth that the Seahawks have in recent seasons. Some of that is the eye for talent Seattle's front office, led by Schneider, has when it comes to finding late-round or undrafted gems, but another big factor is the way Macdonald and his coaching staff develop players.
"The developmental process here is great," said outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. "It's always been a next guy up mentality, and everybody knows that they're a play or two away from being a starter or playing a significant role, so everybody prepares like they're going to be a starter…. That's kind of been the mentality of our team—everybody is going to prepare like they're going to play, because you never know when your time is coming."
Jobe, who began his career with the Eagles in 2022 before signing to Seattle's practice squad before the start of the 2024 season, explained that the way Macdonald and his coaching staff prepare every player, not just the starters, makes it easier for players to step up when the opportunity arises.
"We just buy into the process, buy into Coach Mike's preparation," Jobe said. "He puts us in great positions; we've just got to go and execute everything. We're just trying to be great in our craft to keep moving up. He trusts all his players, and when guys get opportunities, we try to take full advantage of it."
Safety Julian Love, one of the veteran leaders on Seattle's defense was not at all surprised to see Thomas II, a former seventh-round pick who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent, come through when starting in place of Okada.
"The confidence in the building about the ready squad and the full 70, it was like, 'We're not going to miss a beat with Rod. He's an experienced guy, he's been in this league for a bunch of years, and he's going to play good ball,'" Love said. "The moments that he's had, whether it's in the preseason game or whatever, we could just see, 'All right, he knows what he's doing.' And he came out there with such confidence, it was like, no one is even sweating, no one is batting an eye. He did a great job."
The same can be said of Jobe and Pritchett, Love said: "It's cool to see all of those guys and their stories. I've been able to have Nehemiah since he was a rookie, to see the steps that he's taken, and Josh Jobe, from the moment he got here, he was on P-squad at first, and it was like, 'Man, that guy needs to be on the field for us.' In the building, it's not the same as it is outside this building… There's so much confidence in Nehemiah and Jobe, those are starters for us. They're not backups. You hear a few times mentioned, 'Oh, a backup is stepping in.' No, we know, if you put them in this position, they can make plays. They've been playing good ball, people just haven't been watching. I'm really happy for them to get their shine on such a big stage, and they will continue to play well."
PHOTOS: Seahawks Prep For Week 2 vs. Cardinals With A Practice At The Virginia Mason Athletic Center
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, September 16 in preparation for their Week 2 matchup vs. the Cardinals.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90), defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) and linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (23) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury at practice on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) and wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) and wide receiver Julian Hicks (82) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Avery Smith (27) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald with wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) at practice on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and cornerback Julian Neal (1) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16), cornerback Julian Neal (1) and cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Avery Smith (27) and wide receiver Julian Hicks (82) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on September 16, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
