Anthony Bradford, the starting right guard, appears to be nearing a return and could be ready for Seattle’s upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Macdonald indicated Bradford has a strong chance to be back this week, noting that his availability will influence how the team rotates the right guard spot. This development comes at a critical time for a Seahawks offense grappling with turnovers, inconsistent pass protection, and a stalled running game.
Bradford has missed time due to knee and hip injuries since September. He was sidelined before Seattle’s September 21 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, which opened opportunities for Christian Haynes to start. Since then, Haynes and rookie Beau Stephens have shared duties at right guard, with Haynes seeing more action recently. Both linemen surrendered multiple pressures in the Denver game. Macdonald did not declare Bradford the starter but said his potential return would shape how Seattle approaches the position moving forward. He also noted that the coaching staff had not yet discussed the right guard rotation in detail.
If Bradford returns, Seattle would gain another experienced option along an offensive line that has been a focal point of the team’s struggles. It remains unclear whether his presence would translate into immediate protection improvements, as better pass protection, smarter down-and-distance management, and overall execution are still needed.
In the game against Denver, Darnold completed 27 of 51 passes for 278 yards with two interceptions, including one in overtime that set up the Broncos’ game-winning field goal. Despite the rough aerial numbers, Seattle’s defense held Denver to 168 total yards. Darnold’s pressure rate also drew attention, with more far-from-ideal plays when under pressure. Macdonald pushed back against assigning all blame to the offensive line, emphasizing that protecting the quarterback is a shared responsibility and that minimizing negative passing downs is crucial. He stressed the importance of avoiding obvious passing situations to reduce sacks and pressure moving forward.
Seattle sits at 3-3 after back-to-back losses, with a pivotal test against Kansas City on the horizon. While questions persist about Darnold’s performance, Macdonald reiterated his faith in the quarterback, saying the Seahawks trust him and view him as part of the solution. He also reiterated that the team’s offensive issues extend beyond the quarterback, highlighting pass protection and the running game as areas needing improvement. Bradford’s potential return could influence the right guard rotation as Seattle searches for more consistent line play and better overall execution.
Note: This article synthesizes game updates and coach comments to provide a cohesive overview of the Seahawks’ current offensive situation and potential lineup changes.
