Seahawks News: Byron Murphy II, Levi Bell and John Schneider

The Seattle Seahawks are holding rookie minicamp this weekend. There won't be a lot of physical activity and this will be more of a meet-and-greet and learn the playbook kind of thing. But at least the new players get to meet the new coaches.

This gives all the 2024 NFL draft picks by Seattle an opportunity to make a great first impression. While first-round choice Byron Murphy II is safe, others might be trying to earn a roster spot or a starting position. For picks such as Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James that means trying to prove to coaches that they can displace Tre Brown and Mike Jackson.

In other Seattle news for this week, one former fan-favorite has been let go. Plus, John Schneider talks cap room. To begin with, the Seahawks first choice makes his first comments.

Seattle Seahawks news includes Byron Murphy II answering some questions

Byron Murphy II feels at home

General manager John Schneider could have chosen Washington offensive line Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 draft, but he decided against that. Instead, Seattle took defensive tackle Murphy. Murphy should be an instant starter in new head coach Mike Macdonald's 4-3 base. He should be excellent against the run to begin with while he gets used to the speed and power of the NFL in order to supply an interior pass rush.

Murphy had his introductory press conference with Seattle this week and he appeared focused on what he needs to do to make the team better immediately. He also spoke about what it was like to be drafted by the Seahawks, a team he liked when he was younger.

Murphy said, "I just fell in love with the Legion of Boom, the guys, just the way they played on defense, guys like Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner, Michael Bennett, all those guys, Richard Sherman...I knew when I got drafted I was a Seahawk, but when I got here, put the gear on, I felt like I was part of the team right away. It feels like family right now. I'm just excited. I'm just happy."

Levi Bell released

Bell is a bit like the Rudy of the Seahawks and the NFL in general. He is undersized but with a high motor. He also seems to produce in any chance given him, though he never gets a chance in real games. Maybe he is the kind of player who performs well against players who are not consistent starters in the league but just a notch below that kind of ilk.

One wants to pull for Bell, sure. He is a better player than the rest of the general population and that makes him feel like one of us. "If Bell can make it, we make the NFL with him!: might be the feeling and that makes sense. But Bell doesn't seem set on making the Seahawks, sadly. He was let go by the Seahawks this past week. Maybe he will catch back on in training camp at some point, though.

John Schneider discusses the tight salary cap

On paper, literally, the Seahawks have to create cap room even in order to sign their 2024 draft picks as the team is currently over the cap ceiling. No worries, says John Schneider, though. He has a plan.

Schneider said the team planned on being exactly where they are, on Seattle Sports 710 AM's Wyman and Bob program recently. The GM said the team has a plan all the way through the trade deadline midseason in 2024. This, of course, could include the releases of players such as Darrell Taylor and Mike Jackson who would save the team a combined $6 million. Teams still have a lot of decisions to make before final roster cuts are made ahead of Week 1 of 2024.

More Seattle Seahawks news and analysis