Seahawks players returned to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Monday for the start of the voluntary offseason workout program.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald adjusted his team's plan for the start of the offseason workout program, the result of the shortened offseason that comes with playing in a Super Bowl.
Specifically, he told veteran players and those who saw significant playing time through the postseason that they could take part in the early phase of the offseason workout program, which began on Monday, that they could stay home and join the team next month.
Yet despite the voluntary nature of these workouts, as well as their coach's blessing to stay home, several of Seattle's top players, including cornerback Devon Witherspoon, 11th-year defensive tackle Jarran Reed, outside linebacker Derick Hall, left tackle Charles Cross and tight end AJ Barner, were all on hand Monday.
"It feels good," Witherspoon said of being back in the building. "I missed 'em, man. You do something for so long, working hard with each other, chasing the same goal, then to split away and do your own thing for a minute, you miss those guys. So it just feels good to be back around my teammates, getting back to work.
"Of course we want to be here. I'm here to let 'em know I'm the same person every day. We've got to re-do what we did last year, we've got to restart, start from the beginning, and teach the basics first. You've got to be here to do that."
As Witherspoon noted, echoing his head coach’s sentiments from earlier this offseason, this year's team can't count on last year's success carrying over. The 2026 Seahawks need to be their own team and form their own identity, starting with these offseason workouts.
"It's a new team, we've got to bond again, we've got to do everything we did last year all over again," said Witherspoon. "We're not defending it, we've got to go chase it again. Every other team made moves in the offseason too and are getting better as well. So we're not defending something, we've got to go out there and earn it and win it again."
Macdonald, who is also getting ready for this week's draft, was impressed by the turnout on Monday, especially because he made it clear to veteran players that they weren't expected to be there.
"It's great," Macdonald said. "Today is day one for us and phase one. We talked about this earlier. We tiered our offseason program from having a later finish this season.
But I was blown away by some of the guys that showed up today and that we weren't asking to be here at this point in time. The energy is really great. There's still a sense of urgency and spirit to the guys, which is exciting. It's mostly just strength and conditioning at this point and some individual meetings. This is one of the best times of year to see the guys again after the break.
"We said, 'Hey, look, if you finished playing the whole season, phase one, we would love for you to be here, obviously but to get more time out of the building so you can come back as fresh as possible. So guys like 'Spoon, J-Reed were here. Derick Hall. Guys that just wanted to be around the guys again. I thought that was really cool."
Barner, who is heading into his third season, and his second as Seattle's top tight end, is among those whose absence would have been excused, but like a lot of his teammates, he was eager to get back to work.
"It just goes to show you the vibes we have in this building," he said. "We really enjoy being here. And whether you're here now or not, we understand that you're going to do your part to make sure that when you do show up, you're ready to go. It's cool that guys who are at different places in their career are choosing to be here."
Added Cross, "It feels good to be back in the building, be around the guys, just continue to build relationships and work together as one."
Cross is part of an offensive line that returns all five of its starters, as well as several key backups, but staying true to his coach's messaging, Cross reiterated that this year's team can't live off of last year's success.
"I 100 percent agree; It's a new season, we have to attack the season as its own," Cross said. "It's a new year, different guys, so we've just got to continue to execute our philosophies and play our style of football. If we do that, we can do great things."
The Seattle Seahawks began their voluntary offseason workout program on Monday, April 20, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) and tackle Charles Cross (67) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) and safety Ty Okada (39) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, safety D'Anthony Bell (23) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and safety Rodney Thomas II worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks safety Rodney Thomas II worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and safety Ty Okada (39) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tackle/guard Mason Richman (78) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) worked out on day one of the voluntary offseason workout program on April 20, 2026.
