Seahawks open training camp with competition at multiple spots
Following the Seahawks' first day of training camp on Wednesday, coach Mike Macdonald said there were multiple reasons why Fant was cut after 130 receptions, 1,400 yards and five touchdowns in three seasons with the Seahawks.
'We love Noah and wish him the best,' Macdonald said. 'But, we also love the guys that are still here. They know what's at stake and it's going to be a lot of fun watching that competition in the tight end room.'
Second-year tight end AJ Barner, who caught 30 passes for 245 yards last season, as well as rookie Elijah Arroyo, who the Seahawks selected in the second round this year, figure to lead that competition.
There will be others to monitor over the six weeks leading up to the Seahawks' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 7.
Right guard is one of keen interest, as Anthony Bradford broke camp as the starter there last season before landing on injured reserve. He's in competition with Christian Haynes as well as perhaps even rookie Bryce Cabeldue.
'It's going to take time, but it's going to declare itself,' Macdonald said of the competition. 'But, I don't want to just put a number on the guys right now.'
Macdonald said there were a couple of updates on players who were limited during minicamp.
Running back Kenneth Walker III, who did not participate in full-speed drills in June because of ankle issues, did so on Wednesday.
Fifth-round pick and wide receiver Tory Horton was mostly an observer in the spring and early part of the summer because of a knee issue, but a 'full-go' participant on Wednesday, Macdonald said, though his repetitions will be managed.
Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, meanwhile, is 'not necessarily close' to returning to the field after being placed on the physically unable to perform list last Thursday, according to Macdonald.
There were also newcomers such as veteran Shaquill Griffin, who started 53 games with the Seahawks from 2017 to 2020, and is expected to compete for the third cornerback spot.
'He fits in great,' Macdonald said. 'The building and staff love him, and it's only a couple of days with the rest of the DB room. But, he's going to be a guy that we're going to lean on to be a vet presence. It's been fun so far.'
The Seahawks hope additions such as Griffin could help propel the team to a better season than 2024 where the club went 10-7 and finished second in the NFC West but did not qualify for the playoffs after Macdonald's first year with the team.
When asked about outsiders' expectations of the Seahawks for the 2025 season, Macdonald said they couldn't be any higher internally, either.
'Yeah, we want to win a championship,' Macdonald said. 'But in order to do that, we have to become a championship team. We have to become the team that we're trying to be. We have a vision for our team of who we want to be.'
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
As Terry McLaurin shifts from holdout to hold-in, Commanders' roster designation gives a clue
ASHBURN, Va. — As the Washington Commanders kicked off their fourth practice of training camp, a familiar face was back in the building. Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin reported to training camp Saturday after skipping spring practices including mandatory minicamp and the first week of training camp. McLaurin did not return to practice Sunday, instead landing on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with an ankle injury after his Saturday physical examination. 'I got a chance to sit [with him] yesterday, which I was glad,' head coach Dan Quinn told Yahoo Sports on Sunday. 'He was in a very strong head space. In a good way.' [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] McLaurin was holding out ahead of his seventh season in Washington, the final season remaining on his second career contract. Now, he's holding 'in' with what the Commanders are describing as rehabilitation for his ankle. McLaurin has caught 460 catches for 6,379 yards and 38 touchdowns since Washington selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He's coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, McLaurin finding the end zone 13 times on 82 catches for 1,096 yards during quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie season. Quinn said McLaurin's ankle bothered him at the end of last season, and it's 'not that uncommon' for an ankle injury to linger. But McLaurin's designation on the physically unable to perform list rather than injured reserve is notable — most particularly for the flexibility it provides. While PUP designation costs teams a roster spot that injured reserve players do not, the mechanism also allows players to return at any point. A player who receives a much-anticipated contract extension could, hypothetically, return to practice participation immediately afterward. 'You can come off any time,' Quinn said. 'There's not like, 'Hey you have to be on it for this amount of time.'' [Get more Commanders news: Washington team feed] McLaurin can attend meetings and work on rehabilitation exercises with strength and conditioning coaches or athletic trainers. He cannot work with coaches on the field, nor practice in walkthroughs, practices or any 'football activities.' But once he comes off PUP, he would be cleared to do anything. Any slower timeline would be by choice. 'Most times, teams [decide], 'OK, we're going to start on just individual and then go a little bit of team,'' Quinn said. 'So there's usually a self-imposed ramp up after you come off PUP. 'But there doesn't have to be.' How much might McLaurin command? McLaurin signed fan autographs Sunday despite not participating in practice. His take on the rehabilitation plan amid negotiations? 'It's tough,' McLaurin said. 'But it's the business right now, and just trying to take things day by day.' With one year left on his second career contract, McLaurin is due $19.65 million cash this year. He spoke recently about his frustration with the lack of an extension, particularly after McLaurin was a bright spot through five years of Washington football without a winning record. The receiver market has exploded in recent years, with the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase becoming the first receiver awarded a contract that reached $40 million per year in new money. The Minnesota Vikings gave Justin Jefferson a $35 million per year extension last offseason, just before the Dallas Cowboys awarded CeeDee Lamb $34 million per year. Jefferson's $110 million in guarantees topped the market, Chase's $109.8 million and Lamb's $100 million following suit. It's unlikely the Commanders view those three as realistic comparisons for McLaurin's next deal. While McLaurin has averaged 1,118 receiving yards per 17-game season (he joined the league in the good old days of 16), he's older and has been less prolific than the top-earning trio. McLaurin will turn 30 on Sept. 15; Chase is 25 this season while Lamb and Jefferson are 26. More reasonable comparisons begin with those of McLaurin's 2019 draft classmates, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf. The Philadelphia Eagles awarded Brown a three-year extension worth $32 million per year with $90 million guaranteed, while the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in conjunction with a three-year extension worth $32.99 million per year including $80 million in guarantees. The Eagles afforded that while paying quarterback Jalen Hurts, among other stars. The Steelers are getting somewhat of a discount from Aaron Rodgers' $10 million paycheck, but they just gave edge rusher T.J. Watt a record-setting contract worth $41 million per year. The Commanders don't have more than $26 million in salary cap space allocated to any player, thanks in part to Daniels' cost-effective rookie contract. McLaurin's agent, Buddy Baker, was at the Commanders' facility Sunday. Will an extension materialize from the visit? Quinn tried not to focus on the business nor the timelines Sunday, instead lauding the NFC championship berth roster's leading receiver as 'a serious competitor, but a pro's pro.' Quinn said he viewed the return to the facility, even if under restrictions, was encouraging. He said he does not resent McLaurin's business decisions. 'In that space, what I've learned is give people grace,' Quinn said. 'You don't know a coach, a player who's dealing with what how it's affected you. So my No. 1 goal is man, keep the main thing, the main thing between players and coaches. So it's tricky and it's hard.' Slightly less difficult after McLaurin's arrival in Ashburn. 'I'm really pumped that he's here, man,' Quinn said. 'He's such an awesome competitor. 'It was great to see him.'
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Santana wins race to bag to end 7th
Carlos Santana sprints and slides into first base, beating Maikel Garcia to the bag to end the top of the 7th inning
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tomoyuki Sugano throws 6 sharp innings, Tyler O'Neill homers again to help Orioles beat Rockies 5-1
BALTIMORE (AP) — Tomoyuki Sugano pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Tyler O'Neill homered in a third straight game and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Sunday. Dylan Carlson drove in two runs for the Orioles, who followed Saturday night's 18-0 blowout with a more conventional victory in the deciding matchup of a three-game series between last-place clubs. Sugano (8-5) gave up one run, walked two and matched his career high with eight strikeouts. The 35-year-old righty, who signed a one-year contract with Baltimore in December, could be headed to a contender before Friday's trade deadline. Although he was impressive on Sunday, Sugano has yielded 21 homers in 20 games and had a 7.88 ERA over his previous seven starts. After languishing on the injured list from mid-May to early July, O'Neill appears to have found his stroke. Three of his six homers this season came in this series, including a two-run drive in the third inning Sunday off Austin Gomber (0-5) that made it 4-1. Colorado's lone tally came on a solo shot by Warming Bernabel, his first homer in the majors after making his big league debut on Saturday. The Rockies own a 27-78 record, same as the 2024 Chicago White Sox after 105 games. Those White Sox didn't win No. 28 until ending a 21-game skid on Aug. 6, and finished with a single-season record 121 defeats. Key moment Baltimore added a run in the eighth when Gunnar Henderson hustled from second base to home on a wild pitch that catcher Austin Nola was slow to retrieve. Key stat Half of O'Neill's 26 hits this season have gone for extra bases: six homers, six doubles and a triple. In addition, six of his 17 RBIs this season have come in the last three games. Up next Rockies: Bradley Blalock (1-2, 8.67 ERA) starts Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland. Orioles: Zach Eflin (6-5, 5.78) takes on the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards on Monday night. ___ AP MLB:
