During a meeting in the defensive backs room early in Seahawks training camp, rookie safety Bud Clark dropped a line that stopped the room in its tracks.
"Ain't no fishin' on this side," said Clark, a second-round pick out of TCU who is from Alexandria, Louisiana.
"He's a country boy," veteran safety Julian Love said with a laugh. "He brings so much energy. He said something today. I don't even know—he said it in the DB room—and we all nodded but no one understood what it meant. I was like, 'Bud can you repeat that?' and he said something about a private fishing area, like in a common phrase as he was talking, and we're like, 'What does that mean?' He said, 'What we do, it's off limits.' It was anecdote of some sort. Man, I don't know what's going on here. He has an energy, you knew that throughout the combine draft process. He has swagger to him."
Even if teammates aren't always sure what Clark is talking about when he drops an occasional southern phrase, they love the energy he's bringing to the team, and more importantly, they love the development they're seeing out of the rookie early in camp.
Clark, a versatile playmaker who recorded 15 interceptions over four seasons at TCU, began his rookie camp in a backup role, but in recent practices he has been mixing in with the first-team defense, both as a traditional safety and in dime packages as the team's third safety.
While Clark is a different player and being asked to do different things than Nick Emmanwori was as a rookie last year, there are similarities in that he is having a lot thrown at him in his first training camp and appears poised to have a big role in his rookie season.
"Bud's one of those rookies that we're asking a lot of him right now, and I'm impressed with how he's handling it," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "It's not perfect, but how he goes about his business is what we're looking for. He needs to trust that he is going to come out of the fog and take it from there. It's important to start building a relationship with those guys and having a feel for the speed of the game with the ones and how we communicate and how we play, and he's doing a good job."
Added Love, "It's been cool. He's been asked to do a lot early, and he's taking it all in stride. The first few weeks of camp is just an influx of information—he's getting coached up across the board, but in all of that, he's playing fast. Sometimes you see rookies kind of half step if they're unsure, but he's going. And it's important for him to be with the ones, because he's going to play a big role for us."
As Macdonald has said on multiple occasions, the Seahawks' secondary, and defense as a whole, isn't necessarily going to look the same in 2026 as it did last year. Macdonald wants his players to dictate to coaches, with their play, who gets on the field, so if Clark show's he's good enough to be on the field a lot, Macdonald will find a way to do so, even if it means looking a little different than the Seahawks did a year ago.
And what will help Macdonald in his decision making, not to mention his ability to mess with opposing offenses, is the fact that the Seahawks have multiple versatile defensive backs who can, on any given play, be near the line of scrimmage, play deep, cover receivers or tight ends, blitz or stop the run, a group that includes 2025 standouts Love, Emmanwori and Devon Witherspoon, as well as the rookie, Clark.
"It's important for Mike, he can dial it up and spin the wheel and keep offenses guessing," Love said of the versatility the Seahawks have at defensive back. "And for us, we play off of each other. It's easier for an offense if you have that one safety where it's like, 'That guy blitzes.' We know that's a thing in this league—one guy blitzes, one guy plays deep—but it's a cool tool when you know everyone can do everything. We can all cover pretty well, we can all blitz."
For Clark, having more added to his plate early in camp has, "felt amazing," he said. "It was moving fast and I felt like I was moving fast with it. I adapted to it pretty well."
Clark added that playing multiple roles has, "been different. I played down a little bit, but in the 'dime' spot I've always played to the strong (side). Being in the 'dime' has been good. I'm learning more, expanding my knowledge and it's helping me."
And Clark is not just fitting in from a football standpoint, he's also fitting into the team's culture, brining a mix of fun and work to the team that fits right in with helped make the Seahawks such a special team in 2025.
"It's a great brotherhood, but when it's time to work, we have this thing called loose and focused," Clark said, repeating a phrase that was frequently uttered by Macdonald and his players last season. "We're very loose and focused. When it's time to focus, we're focused, but when it's time to have fun we have fun."
Asked what being loose looks like to him, Clark said, "Out having fun with the guys, with my boys, with my back-half. Being loud with 'Spoon or sitting there talking to President Julian and different things like that. That's what I try to do."
Asked if Love, who is frequently referred to as the Mayor by his teammates, got a promotion, Clark grinned and said, "He's the President now."
Regardless of Love's unofficial title, Clark has a lot of respect for the veteran safety, with whom he has traded parenting tips—Clark has one son and Love has two—while also gaining a lot of football knowledge from Love. And Love, like the rest of his team, has been encouraged by what Clark has shown the team thus far.
"It's going to be really cool to see how he comes alive on the field for us this training camp," Love said. "I'm really excited to see him spin."
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.
