Seahawks' season gets closer as rookies report for training camp

And so it begins.

The Seahawks took a step toward the beginning of their 2026 regular season - and their attempt to win a second straight Super Bowl - as their rookies reported for training camp Friday.

Teams can ask their rookies to report a week before veterans report, though not all do.

The Seahawks' veteran players will report next Friday, a day before the Seahawks will hold their first practice July 25 at the VMAC in Renton.

The Seahawks, who host the New England Patriots in the first regular-season game on Sept. 9 at Lumen Field, were the first team to have players of any kind report.

The 49ers will follow with their rookies reporting Saturday, while the Patriots will welcome their rookies Tuesday. Carolina and Arizona - who are playing in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6 - will be the first teams to welcome veterans Wednesday, with the Seahawks and Patriots following with veterans reporting Friday.

Veterans for all teams will report by at least July 28.

The Seahawks have one of their smallest rookie classes in recent memory at just 13 as camp begins (that number can obviously change in either direction as things progress and other roster moves are made).

By contrast, the Seahawks had 31 rookies on their roster last season during the first week of training camp.

This year's total is smaller than usual because the Seahawks made a concerted effort to retain as many players off the Super Bowl roster as possible, and they kept many of the players who spent last season on their practice squad, a large number of whom were rookies in 2025.

The 2026 rookie class includes eight draft picks and five undrafted free agents.

The rookies can't practice until camp begins, but the team can hold meetings, conditioning and other activities to get the rookies ready for life as an NFL player until the vets show up next week.

There isn't much apparent drama as the rookies report. All of the draft picks have signed their standard four-year rookie deals.

And the picks at the top of the draft who are expected to make an immediate impact - running back Jadarian Price (first round), safety Bud Clark (second round) and cornerback Julian Neal (third round) - got plenty of work in the offseason program and appear ready to hit the ground running in camp and to compete for significant roles this season.

Here is a look at the rookie class:

Draft picks

Running back Jadarian Price (first round): The 32nd overall pick from Notre Dame, Price is expected to contend for starting running back duties and helping replace departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.

Safety Bud Clark (second round): The 64th overall pick out of TCU is expected to compete with Ty Okada to take over Coby Bryant's starting safety spot opposite Julian Love.

Cornerback Julian Neal (third round): The 96th overall pick out of Auburn via Fresno State, Neal will compete for the third corner spot replacing the departed Riq Woolen.

Guard Beau Stephens (fifth round): Starting out, the Iowa grad is expected to compete with Christian Haynes for the backup right guard spot behind Anthony Bradford, and hopefully down the road for a starting role.

Receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (sixth round): Kansas product will vie for a roster spot at the back end of the receiving rotation and on special teams.

Cornerback Andre Fuller (seventh round): One of three cornerbacks drafted by the Seahawks, the Toledo grad is hoping to compete for a spot as a depth player at cornerback and on special teams.

Defensive tackle Deven Eastern (seventh round): Minnesota product will compete for a spot in the interior D-line rotation.

Cornerback Michael Dansby (seventh round): Dansby, who played last year at Arizona, is in the same boat as Fuller, hoping to earn a spot in the CB depth and on special teams.

Undrafted free agents

Linebacker Aidan Hubbard: Northwestern product will vie for a spot as an edge rusher. He got the largest guarantee of the team's UDFAs at $247,500.

Linebacker Marvin Jones Jr.: Florida State grad in similar situation as Hubbard, hoping to forge a role as an edge player.

Tight end Lance Mason: Wisconsin product who hails from same hometown as Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Rockwall, Texas) is one of just six tight ends listed on the roster.

Receiver Rashad Rochelle: Standout returner at Indiana State will try to use special teams to catch eye of coaches.

Nose tackle Uso Seumalo: The 330-pounder from Kansas State might have a legit shot to make a run at a roster spot as depth in the interior of the defensive line.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 4:53 PM.