By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks Ty Okada is reaping the benefits of patience.

Coming into the 2025 season, safety was one of the Seahawks’ least worries. Coby Bryant and Julian Love were returning starters from the 2024 season. Bryant became the starter after the team’s loss to the  Niners and never looked back. He started the next 11 games. Love started all 17 games and tied Bryant with a team-leading three interceptions.

  All looked to be going to schedule after the first two weeks of the season. Love and Bryant started as the safeties.  With Love inactive for the  Saints game, Okada earned his first  NFL start alongside Bryant.  The start was memorable for Okada, who recorded a career high nine tackles ( 7 solo) and  his first-career sack ( 0.5).  While he was waiting for his opportunity, Okada remained steadfast and committed to his process.

“I haven’t changed my approach from even rookie year, the day to day. 
I’ve kept the same routine, “ said Okada .” And so I think just with the opportunity that’s been presented, I’ve been able to take advantage of it, and just having, you know, great guys around me, great teammates, great coaches, have really helped, just elevate my game. “

 Back to special teams contribution

Okada’s  NFL starting career lasted all but one game.   Love returned to the starting line up the following week when the Seahawks traveled to  Arizona. While the Seahawks won the game, they did not win the injury battle.  Love apparently inflamed the hamstring in the game.  During the following week’s practice, Love suffered a minor setback, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. Love’s injury setback created another opening for  Okada, who would start the next  four games.  The Seahawks placed Love on injured reserve on November 1st.    While being a starter is different from  a back Okada says he has not changed his approach to how he plays and prepares for each game.

”I mean, every single day I’ve got to earn the right to be able to go out and play like that. And so just back to what I was saying, earlier, just keeping that same approach, it’s, you know, each week is going to present its own challenges, and you got to just approach each and every single day,” said Okada. “
It’s, you know, this is the one opportunity I have to get better and to learn and prepare for the week.

Defensive coordinator Ade Durde believes   Okada flourished in his new role as a starter because of his patience and work ethic.

“ Yeah, he’s taken  advantage. 
As players get into these moments where  they  are backup, then come in and get their chance to play.  You first first job is to play the moment. And execute the role, and that’s what he’s doing,” said Durde “
When you do those things, and you’re working as part of these things, as these guys are trying to work as well, things happen, and it is so.

Important  Divisional stretch

The Seahawks are tied for the NFC West lead with the Los Angeles at  6-2. The two teams will meet next week in LA. Before that, the Seahawks will host the  3-5 Arizona  Cardinals, who are trending upward after the insertion of Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.

In their last three games with Brissett, the Cardinals have averaged  27th points and averaged 356.7 yards per game.  The Divisional games will provide an opportunity for Okada to continue showcasing his skill set.

“ It’s not like the guy has changed, “said  Mike Macdonald. “ He is the same guy we see in teh building battling for a role on the team, on special teams and now he is battling for reps at safety and now he has started games for us. It’s not like he is uptight or feeling some kind of way. He is the same guy.

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