The Seattle Seahawks are less than two weeks from beginning their 2026 season in hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions. On Sunday, August 30, the 53-man roster had to be set, and along with that, some notable names had to be waived or released.
Many of those who were cut will hopefully return to the organization as members of the practice squad. That happens every year, and this season will likely not be any different. Head coach Mike Macdonald often talks about the "70-man roster," and by that, he means the active roster and the practice squad.
But is this year's roster good enough to win the NFC West, which is seemingly as difficult as winning the Super Bowl? Maybe, and this is how it shapes up.
Seattle Seahawks 2026 53-man roster
Quarterback: Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe
This was as expected. Seattle was going to keep three quarterbacks, even if the hope is that only Darnold ever plays. Milroe showed in preseason Week 3 that he is a keeper, but he does need to develop quite a bit more.
Running back: George Holani, Jadarian Price, Emanuel Wilson, Brady Russell
Price is the presumptive starter in Week 1, with Holani likely being the main backup. Until Charbonnet is fully healthy again, the running back group is thin and relatively unproven. If Price is great from the beginning, fantastic. Otherwise, the offense is limited.
Wide receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Montorie Foster Jr.
The top foursome was set, but the health of Horton was in question. He hasn't practiced much recently, though the team kept saying his injury wasn't long-term. JSN must stay healthy, but one might assume the others could increase their production if needed.
Tight end: AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Eric Saubert, Nick Kallerup
Keeping four tight ends tends to be a growing norm in the league as offenses adjust to what defenses have mastered. The keys here are Barner and Arroyo. Barner has been a good blocker and ascending receiver in his first two years. Arroyo is big and fast and could have a breakout season in 2026.
Offensive line: Charles Cross, Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, Anthony Bradford, Abraham Lucas, Beau Stephens, Christian Haynes, Bryce Cabeldue, Olu Oluwatimi, Josh Jones
The starting five was very good last season overall and could be better in 2026 as Grey Zabel will have a season under his belt. If Bradford is better, then things are even better. Still, Lucas has had injury problems before, and the depth isn't great.
Defensive line: Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Jarran Reed, Rylie Milles, Mike Morris, Brandon Pili
Arguably, this is the best group of defensive linemen on any one team in the NFL. And yes, that includes Aaron Donald returning to the Los Angeles Rams. Williams, Murphy, and Reed are elite as a trio.
Outside linebacker/Edge: DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, Dante Fowler Jr., Uchenna Nwosu, Connor O'Toole
The first four mentioned above were locks, and the only question was whether Connor O'Toole did enough in the preseason to stick on the team. He was inconsistent, but had a great preseason Week 2. Nwosu, Lawrence, Hall, and Fowler are formidable, if healthy.
Inside linebacker: Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas, Tyrice Knight, Patrick O'Connell, Chazz Surratt
Seattle has three good inside linebackers, assuming Drake Thomas continues his performance from 2025. Knight has flashed excellent ability to pressure quarterbacks, so it will be interesting to see how he is used in the scheme moving forward. Jones is underrated and one of the best at his position in the league.
Cornerback: Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Julian Neal, Nehemiah Pritchett, Avery Smith
Smith was an addition by the Seahawks via trade from the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of roster cuts. What that says about how Seattle feels about the group overall, one can decide for themselves. It implies the team isn't satisfied with what it currently has.
Safety: Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, Ty Okada
Emmanwori is position-flexible, so he will many times play a spot that a cornerback might. The true safeties will be Love and Okada. Losing Bud Clark hurts, though he was a rookie who might have needed time to find his footing in Mike Macdonald's system.
Specialists: Jason Myers (K), Michael Dickson (P), Chris Stoll (LS)
No one was concerned about who the Seahawks would keep here. That said, many might want to keep an eye on Myers, as he hasn't been very good in the preseason. Hopefully, once the real games start, he will be fine.
Injured reserve: Jake Bobo, Bud Clark, Robbie Ouzts, Mason Richman, Irv Charles
PUP: Zach Charbonnet
Exempt list: Terrion Arnold
Any player getting hurt stinks, of course. Ouzts' neck issue affected what new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury was hoping for his scheme. Bobo's knee injury hurts the special teams. Clark's broken ankle means 12s lose out on watching yet another exciting young defensive back besides Witherspoon and Emmanwori.
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