Ryan Grubb suggests Seattle Seahawks are stuck at right guard

The Seattle Seahawks are 3-0 even though the offensive line has struggled a great deal through the regular season. Left tackle Charles Cross has been great, but no one would make that argument for any other Seattle O-lineman. This is especially true for right guard Anthony Bradford.

Bradford has had seven penalties called against him that have been accepted. He leads all other right guards in the NFL in that category by four. To be sure, that is not the kind of category that a player wants to lead. He also was the cause of one of Seattle's safeties in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

Even worse, however, he is currently graded by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) as the third-worst overall guard in the league. In Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, he allowed six total pressures, including two sacks. That is quite bad. But will there be a change at the position away from Bradford?

Seattle Seahawks seem set on Anthony Bradford at right guard for the foreseeable future

Not according to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Speaking with reporters this week, Grubb said, "I think Anthony [Bradford] would tell you he didn’t have his best game. He’s a young player that’s hopefully continuing to develop. We think he has a very good skill set. We’re trying to develop that."

The reason why rookie backup right guard Christian Haynes has not supplanted Bradford, according to Grubb, is "Technique and power. Raw power at the guard position in the NFL is so critical. That’s why Anthony can withstand a lot of [power], his sheer size and what he can take inside."

Bradford is a big player. He is 6'4" and 332 pounds, and the Seahawks think he has enough strength to be successful. Bradford has not yet been able to prove that thought, though. He was terrible as a rookie in 2023 and has not improved this year. Haynes is 6'3" and 317 pounds, and Seattle clearly does not see enough power from him.

The weird part is why would Seattle had taken Haynes in the third round of the 2024 draft because power isn't necessarily something that will get much better. Seattle should have been able to judge Haynes' strength from his college film. Possibly Seattle could have signed a right guard in free agency instead of drafting Haynes.

Either way, Bradford, who did miss practice to open this week with a minor injury, needs to be replaced but clearly will not be anytime soon. Haynes would be his only backup and the Seahawks don't have faith in Haynes currently. The problem at right guard is going to continue for the foreseeable future.

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