Mike Macdonald says quiet part out loud about Seahawks rookie Christian Haynes

Prior to the season, many Seattle Seahawks fans might have hoped that third-round 2024 draft pick Christian Haynes would come into camp, show off his presumed ferocity, and take control of the team's starting right guard spot for the next decade. After all, Anthony Bradford was terrible last season, and he wasn't expected to be much better this year. He has not been.

Still, Seattle kept starting Bradford every game even though, through most of the season, he led all NFL guards in both sacks allowed and penalties. He was seemingly more of a liability than a help to the offensive line. And yet, Haynes could not beat out Bradford to take more reps in games.

Bradford injured his ankle in Week 12 and has been placed on injured reserve. The likelihood is that he is done for the season. Seattle needs a new starter at right guard for the remaining games, and it seemed to be a safe assumption that the player would be Haynes. He was the only other player getting many snaps at the position besides Bradford.

Seattle Seahawks name Sataoa Laumea the starter at right guard over Christian Haynes

Not so fast. On Friday, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that rookie Sataoa Laumea would be starting instead of Haynes. On the surface, this is perplexing. Haynes at least had played in live action in the NFL. Laumea has yet to play in a game.

Macdonald likely gave away the reason why Laumea is starting over Haynes, though, without truly saying Haynes was the issue. Like other Seattle players in recent years, such as former first-round draft pick L.J. Collier, Haynes does not appear to understand that every practice is important and that he needs to take everything gravely seriously. Laumea is starting because he has been more consistent than Haynes in practice and meetings, implied Macdonald.

The coach said in his Friday press conference, "Just like you see with all (the players), there’s going to be another opportunity. You’ve got to go earn it every day in practice. That’s the message. Guys that bring it every day and show up in practice and show up in games and help us win, they’re going to play. If you take a step back, then you’ve got to be accountable."

That message was surely directed completely at Haynes. Whatever is going on behind the scenes, Haynes and the coaching staff are not connecting. This is a shame partly because the Seahawks should have done a better job of vetting Haynes and his work ethic prior to taking him in the 2024 draft.

Maybe Haynes is simply a rookie still trying to find his way and the proverbial light bulb will go on for him next year. By that time, however, it may be too late for him. If Laumea plays well in Week 13 against a good New York Jets defensive line, he is going to start in Week 14 as well. That might continue into next year. At that point, Haynes will simply have become a long-term backup.

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