Seahawks right tackle Michael Jerrell just a fish swimming against the Falcons

The Seattle Seahawks right tackle appeared to be a hopeless mess after the team was forced to play third-string Stone Forsythe after second-string George Fant was injured in Week 1. Presumed starter Abraham Lucas hasn't been fully healthy in nearly two seasons, and there is no timeline on his return from offseason knee surgery. Seattle had to turn to fourth-string Michael Jerrell in Week 7.

Jerrell was somewhat of a surprise draft pick out of Division II Findlay. He had good size at 6'5" and nearly 300 pounds, and showed good athleticism. His competition in college, though, was not the same as it would have been had he played in the SEC, for instance. Taking Jerrell was a risk, but one general manager John Schneider took in the sixth round because he was afraid another team might take the same risk.

Heading into Seattle's Week 7 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Jerrell had never played a down in the NFL. Forsythe had injured his hand so Seattle had no choice but to start Jerrell. To be fair, nearly anyone starting over Forsythe would have likely been an improvement as he had allowed 35 total pressures this season which was double-digits higher than any other offensive tackle.

Seahawks right tackle Michael Jerrell plays exceedingly well against the Falcons in Week 7

But Jerrell did not just barely outperform against Atlanta. He was good. Very good.

He opened a hole for Kenneth Walker III in the first half when Jerrell pushed former Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon out wide and then kept pushing him. The gap left helped Walker sprint to the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown.

The only real negatives for Jerrell at first glance appeared to be that he allowed a sack to edge rusher James Smith-Williams and that he allowed edge rusher Arnold Ebikete to get around him quickly in an attempt to get to quarterback Geno Smith. Even the last play turned into a positive, however.

Even though Ebikete beat Jerrell off the line, the right tackle stayed with the edge rusher and kept pushing him. This allowed Smith to step up into the empty space and throw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Walker. The play does not happen if Smith is not as good at moving around the pocket, but it also doesn't happen if Jerrell doesn't stick with Ebikete.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Jerrell said he often got positive words from his teammates on the sideline, including some from Fant, but the right tackle did not really need them. He was just doing his job. As Jerrell put it, "You don’t applaud a fish for swimmin’." Jerrell was just doing his job to the best of his ability and level of experience.

The question now is whether Jerrell can replicate the performance every week. The Falcons only have six sacks in 2024, so the challenge for Jerrell will probably be greater against every other team. In Week 8, the Seahawks will play the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo has 19 sacks, tied for eighth-best in the league. If Jerrell can play well against the Bills, he should be the starter for the foreseeable future.