SAN JOSE, Calif.—When you look at Seattle's roster, it's not filled with superstars or big-name players. Yes, there are All-Pro and Pro Bowl-caliber players, but it is filled with linebackers who step into starting roles, safeties who can play in place of injured players and offensive linemen who can step in at the end of the season for an injured starter.
The depth of Seattle's roster is something that head coach Mike Macdonald takes pride in and it shows in how prepared every player is to step up at any time.
Linebacker Drake Thomas, an undrafted free agent, who's been with Seattle since 2023, stepped into a starting role this season after an injury sidelined Tyrice Knight during training camp. Thomas played in all 17 regular season games, starting 14 of them and every playoff game. In his first two seasons with Seattle, Thomas was mostly a special teams player.
So how did a special teams player take over a starting defensive role?
"I would start with the reps that everyone gets through training camp," Thomas said. "To make sure that we have a really strong foundation of knowing what our defense is and what we're doing, and then on top of that, just being thorough throughout the week, being intentional, making sure we understand why we're doing what we're doing and the reasons we're doing certain things. So everyone has a clear understanding of what the game plan is and what it's going to look like going into the game. There's certain things that we look for, and [Macdonald's] going to tell us, 'This is the reason why I'm calling this,' and it really helps because when we make the call on the field, it clicks in your mind into like the why and you can go play free."
Macdonald's intentionality in teaching players what they're doing and why has helped depth and practice squad players get a grasp of what is really needed from them. It's the reason why Macdonald says the practice squad is the "ready squad," or why he often refers to the active roster and practice squad as the, "full 70."
Cornerback Josh Jobe said, "Everybody has a role in this team. And you gotta keep that standard high, because the dude in front of you is keeping that standard high."
Ernest Jones IV added, "Since the day I got here, they preach, 'At any given moment, it can be your time.' So they prepared each of us just like we were starters, and those guys did the preparation, did work, and it's fun to see when they go out there and make plays, and people don't really know their name, but we know that they're pros, starting-caliber players, and they made their opportunities, made the best of them."
For Thomas, his big moment was in Week 6 against the Jaguars.
"That was a big game. I got a lot of confidence from that game and definitely got more and more comfortable as the season continued after that. I had a sack. That was definitely cool. But it was more so just like the fact that I took on all the reps, and I had that under my belt, and I went through that experience of an NFL football game that that really, really helped."
Of the way Thomas has played, Jones said, "Drake's one of the smartest guys on the room. One of the guys that you can depend on him to be in the right spot and once you turn on the tape and there's somebody in front of him to strike, he's got a lot of power, he can strike."
Macdonald is a believer in the philosophy that if a player is doing the work, and is doing a good job at it, they will get their opportunities, and Jobe is walking proof of that.
Jones said Jobe, "Doesn't really say too much but you can look into his eyes and see 'I'm here with you, I'm ready to fight. [Josh is] our little quiet dog. He brings a lot of energy, brings a of physicality that we need at that position."
This season, Thomas, Ty Okada, Josh Jones, Amari Kight, Patrick O'Connell, Olu Oluwatimi and Nehemiah Pritchett all stepped up to start in some capacity for an injured player. When Julian Love missed nine games with a hamstring injury, it was Okada who stepped in. When Charles Cross missed time with a foot injury, it was Jones who played in his place.
"Everyone has their own skillset and we just trust each other," Julian Love said. "Whatever you have, just bring the full amount of what you have to the table and the whole 70 (active roster and practice squad) conversation is that. Whoever you are, be your best self today. And it's been great for us, because you can gas up and celebrate and see people shine that you might not have seen shine if everything was smooth and easy for us."
The accountability the coaches display, is the same accountability the players have for each other and that shines through in how everyone on the roster prepares like a starter.
"If you're not doing your job and you're not holding up your end, like, you're going to be held accountable, you're going to be a coached," Thomas said. "That's really cool. It doesn't matter if you're Year 10 or Year 1. You're going to be coached and you're going to be held to a standard."
The Seahawks held their first practice of the week on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 as they prepare for Sunday's matchup vs. the Patriots.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (37) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6), quarterback Drew Lock (2) and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California.
