The Seattle Seahawks were initially scheduled to conclude OTA practices this week before wrapping up their offseason program with mandatory minicamp next week.
But instead, they called an audible.
Report: Seahawks make Dickson the NFL’s highest-paid punter
The Seahawks moved up their mandatory minicamp to this week, which allows their veterans to get an extra week off for summer break before they return for training camp in late July. It’s a practice that other NFL teams have done as well.
The Seahawks could still hold a few OTA practices next week, but from head coach Mike Macdonald’s press conference Tuesday, it sounds like any practices next week will be for Seattle’s rookie class.
Macdonald said the decision stemmed in large part from how hard the team has worked over the course of this spring’s offseason program. The Seahawks notably had every single player on their 90-man roster attend at least one of their six voluntary OTA practices, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Most players were on hand for all six voluntary practices, even if they were sitting out or limited due to injuries.
“It was several things, but our guys just did such a great job this offseason in phases one through three (of the NFL’s offseason program), and felt like it was a good time, a good change-up, to go knock this week out of the park,” Macdonald said after Tuesday’s minicamp practice.
“Rookies get to stick around for a little bit longer, (but this gives the veterans) a chance to get a break, get their bodies right, get away and then come back better than ever for training camp.”
Macdonald praised the overall energy and buy-in the team has shown during OTA practice and Tuesday’s minicamp practice. The team will wrap up its two-day minicamp on Wednesday.
“Just really pleased with effort, attitude, intent, spirit,” Macdonald said. “A lot of stuff to work on. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. But for right now, just really excited about the effort (and) enthusiasm of the team, and it’s a fun group to work with.”
Other notes
• Macdonald said running back Kenneth Walker III has been limited in OTA and minicamp practices with an ankle injury, but that he “should be fine.” Walker missed six games due to injuries last season, including the final two games with an ankle injury.
• During Tuesday’s practice, the Seahawks continued to mix and match at both center and right guard, which are expected to be the two open spots along their offensive line.
In recent practices open to the media, that’s generally meant Olu Oluwatimi and Jalen Sundell sharing first-team reps at center, while Christian Haynes and Anthony Bradford have split first-team reps at right guard.
But Tuesday’s practice also featured Sundell taking some reps at right guard and Haynes taking some reps at center.
“We’re mixing and matching right now,” Macdonald said. “It’s a lot of great competition, and Christian has shown the ability to snap, so we’ve given him some opportunities to do so.”
• One of the standout plays of Tuesday’s practice came from cornerback Riq Woolen, who broke up a pass from Sam Darnold to Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the corner of the end zone during an 11-on-11 red-zone period.
Seattle Seahawks news and analysis
• Could CB Jaire Alexander be who Seattle Seahawks have been waiting for?
• Bump: What’s refreshing to see from Seattle Seahawks’ new offense
• Wyman: What looks different about Seattle Seahawks LB Tyrice Knight
• Why a new Seattle Seahawks WR stood out to Bump at OTAs
• Seattle Seahawks had perfect OTA attendance – why that matters