Cohesion along any offensive line matters, and that is the greatest argument for the Seattle Seahawks keeping Anthony Bradford as the starter at right guard. His performance over the previous three years might not imply he needs to stay that way, but at least his teammates next to him know what to expect.
Still, he has been inconsistent at best, and downright bad at worst. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario has been the majority of Bradford's career. He is big and strong, but not athletic. If he needs to move to block a talented defensive lineman or edge rusher, he often fails.
But in training camp so far, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson, Bradford isn't being pushed to work harder to keep his job. Right guard seemingly belongs to him, and rookie Beau Stephens isn't yet close to replacing him.
Anthony Bradford appears to have right guard for the Seattle Seahawks on lockdown
Henderson recently wrote that the media isn't allowed to say how many reps each player is getting, but that it was clear that through the first week of training camp, most of the first-team reps are being given to Bradford. That is the case even though the player entering his fourth season mostly worked with a trainer off to the side during Friday's practice.
2026 could be a make-or-break season for Bradford with the Seahawks, though. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he hasn't yet played well enough to certainly earn more years in Seattle. Maybe this is the season he becomes mediocre, which would still be a step up in terms of his overall play.
He has excelled at no aspect of his job. He should be a force in terms of run-blocking, but he often gets in his own way with too many penalties. He had 10, for instance, in 2024.
As a pass protector, he's been worse. Seven times last season, he allowed at least three pressures in a game. He gave up six in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams alone. Bradford also gave up a sack against LA and in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
Sam Darnold, just like nearly every quarterback, struggles with interior pressure in his face. Anthony Bradford seems bent on making sure that Darnold feels that interior pressure. The Seattle Seahawks need an upgrade at right guard, but the upgrade doesn't appear to be coming in 2026.
Beau Stephens, or any other player hoping to get reps at right guard, such as Christian Haynes, still has time to show the team he should man the position. Training camp just started. So far, however, there is no competition for the spot. It belongs solely to Bradford.
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