Seahawks fans most eager to watch secondary at training camp

RENTON, WASHINGTON - JUNE 11: Julian Neal #1 of the Seattle Seahawks runs during practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 11, 2026 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Seattle Seahawks fans and fans across the country

As Seattle Seahawks training camp draws closer, fans already know which position group they'll be watching most closely. This week's SB Nation Reacts survey asked readers which position group they're most interested in following throughout training camp, and the results point to one clear favorite: the defensive backs.

The secondary led the way with 42% of the vote, followed by running backs (34%). The offensive line (11%) was the only other group to receive double-digit , while wide receiver (4%), interior defensive line (3%), and tight end (3%) rounded out the poll.

The secondary finishing atop the poll shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

Josh Jobe is expected to take over as a full-time starter after signing a contract extension this offseason, replacing Riq Woolen on the outside full time. His emergence last season earned him that opportunity, but training camp will be the first chance to see how he handles the role over a full season.

There's also plenty of intrigue behind the starters. Nick Emmanwori enters his second NFL season with considerably higher expectations after an encouraging rookie campaign, while rookie Julian Neal will look to carve out a role in sub-packages. Neal could find himself competing directly with Nehemiah Pritchett, who opened offseason practices as part of Seattle's first-team dime defense and will try to hold onto that role once the pads come on.

Safety could quietly become one of the most competitive battles of training camp. Ty Okada appears to have the inside track for the starting job after earning the coaching staff's trust last season, stepping in whenever Julian Love or Coby Bryant were unavailable. Okada started 11 games in 2025 and finished the year with 65 total tackles, 46 solo stops, six passes defended, one interception, and 1.5 sacks, establishing himself as a reliable option in Mike Macdonald's defense.

That doesn't mean the competition is over. Second-round rookie Bud Clark arrives with outstanding ball production, impressive range, and the versatility to play multiple roles in the secondary, making him one of the most intriguing defensive rookies on the roster. Veteran Rodney Thomas II is also firmly in the mix after drawing praise throughout the offseason for his intelligence, communication, and physical style of play, giving Seattle another experienced option with 42 career NFL starts under his belt.

Factor in Mike Macdonald's preference for versatile defensive backs and matchup-specific personnel packages, and it's easy to understand why Seattle fans are eager to watch this group more than any other during camp.

Seeing the running backs finish a close second isn't much of a surprise, either.

Seattle's backfield has undergone significant changes since the end of last season. Kenneth Walker III is no longer on the roster, while Zach Charbonnet enters training camp recovering from an injury, leaving uncertainty about when he'll be available for full participation.

That puts additional attention on rookie Jadarian Price. As is often the case with first-year running backs, there's plenty of intrigue surrounding how quickly he can adapt to the NFL game and where he fits in the rotation. With Charbonnet's timeline still unclear and carries available following Walker's departure, Price could find himself under the spotlight from the very first practice.

The offensive line received 11% of the vote, reflecting continued curiosity about a unit that has undergone significant changes over the past two offseasons. While the projected starters appear more settled than they have in recent years, there will still be plenty of attention on the depth chart and how quickly the group comes together under Brian Fleury.

Perhaps the biggest surprise from the poll is that edge rusher wasn't among the top vote-getters.

The position features one of the most compelling storylines on Seattle's roster. Derick Hall begins the first season of his contract extension looking to cement himself as the team's premier pass rusher, while DeMarcus Lawrence returns healthy after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Behind them, Jared Ivey, Connor O'Toole, and Aidan Hubbard will all be competing for roles, making the edge rotation one of the more fascinating battles of camp.

Given how valuable a consistent pass rush is in Mike Macdonald's defense, it's a little surprising that edge defender didn't receive more attention from fans. The secondary may have won this week's poll, but don't be surprised if the competition on the edge becomes one of the biggest stories of training camp by the time August comes to a close.

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