Although they're on opposite sides of the ball, and not in position meetings together during the week, rookie Grey Zabel is soaking up every bit of information that he can from 11-year vet Leonard Williams during and after practice.
This involves asking Williams to watch his one-on-one reps and give him feedback.
"That's the one thing I like about him so much," Williams said of Zabel. "As a rookie, as a first rounder, especially, I think sometimes you see first rounders come in and they feel like they know it all because they've been drafted high and they've been successful in college. And Grey came in just like an open sheet, just wanted to learn as much as possible. He's humble enough to know that he has some room to grow and stuff like that, and he's eager to do it."
Williams added later, "This is one of the first times I've seen a young guy on the opposite side of the ball just go out of his way so often to get information from the other side of the ball."
Zabel sees the advice Williams can provide as invaluable.
"Any time you can have mentorship from a guy that's been playing in the league that long, that has gone against so many great offensive linemen to kind of help you, 'Why would you pass up on an opportunity like that?'," Zabel said. "And that's just a testament to the type of person, leader and player Leo is, that he helps a young guy out like me. It doesn't matter the situation or what day it is. He's always kind of looking out for me, and I appreciate that from him."
Zabel's mindset of being a learner all the time is how he was raised.
"A lifelong saying is you never want to be the smartest guy in the room, and any time that you're able to learn from other people that have done it and are continuing to do it at a high level, you want to take in that advice. One day l hope a D-lineman is asking me, when I'm in year 11, or whatever it is for Leo, kind of what to do on his rep or what he's looking for. He's an awesome vet and a great leader have on this team."
He added, "Any time you can help somebody across the ball, it's really critical for our team and can help make everybody better."
The Seahawks defense through four weeks ranks sixth in rushing yards allowed (359), first in rushing touchdowns allowed (0) and rank second in the league in scoring defense, holding their opponents to 20 points or less in those games. So, while Zabel is directly asking Williams for advice, he's also learning from the entire defensive line.
"There's just constant growth every single practice," he said. "I think that's the best part about the D-line we go up against, and the defense that we have to play against, is we go out there on Sundays and we understand that we've gone against a good defense, the entire week of practice, and if we just stick to our rules, our fundamentals, our basics, we're going to tend to be successful. And I think that's the humility part of the offensive line is understanding the prep and the week of practice that we have is going to lead into a good game. So, we have to take every day in stride."
Zabel's goal when picking the defense's brain, is of course to get better, but also to be the Williams to a young defensive lineman when the time comes.
"One day l hope a D-lineman is asking me, when I'm in year 11, what to do on his rep or what he's looking for," Zabel said.
The teaching and sharing of advice, insights and feedback doesn't just stop at Zabel and Williams. The entire defensive line and offensive line create a space where an exchange of information for everyone.
"Even with other vets," Williams said. "Me and Charles talk with each other all the time as well. When we have good reps against each other, we're kind of reminding each other what worked well here and what's not working and stuff like that against each other. Iron sharpens iron and we know that."
The Seahawks returned to the practice field on October 1 as they get ready for their Week 5 matchup vs. the Buccaneers.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) and safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (22) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85) practiced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
