By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks Get Boost as Charbonnet, Bradford Near Return

After a  several days of honest discussions between coaches and players, the Seattle Seahawks returned to the practice field Monday.  The team’s practice field returnees were Zach Charbonnet and right guard Anthony Bradford. The potential return of the two starters was some good news to a team that had been sputtering through the first six weeks of the NFL season. With a 3-3 record and a lackluster 17-14 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos last Thursday night, head coach Mike Macdonald decided to talk about realignment.

“What we’ve told the team today is that games are so emotional. Emotions do vary sometimes from week to week. Based on the game, where my frustration lay, I think we talked about this after the game, but it was about our identity and Seahawk football. That feeling wasn’t there,’  said Macdonald. “ You’re frustrated but also without the facts and without the objectivity behind everything, so that’s what makes the problem-solving process interesting. That’s part of why we like being coaches, because it is part of our process. I am proud of the couple of days of work that we put in. I think we had some honest conversations and an honest process. We’re definitely more aligned as a team than we were a few days ago, and I’m excited about where we could go.”

Despite the injuries, turnovers, needless penalties on both sides of the ball, and inconsistent special teams play, plenty of games remain (11) in which the Seahawks can move forward as a team.  Macdonald doesn’t believe they’re back where they were. The official mantra to defend the team’s Super Bowl title is run it forward.  A challenge to the team to treat 2026 as a fresh season to evolve their daily habits, standards, and identity. It is safe to say the  Seahawks have been searching for their identity the first six weeks of the season.

POTENTIAL RETURN  OF TWO STARTERS

The potential return of Charbonnet and Bradford will go a long way toward the Seahawks reclaiming their new identity with a little of the past.  Bradford missed the first five games of the season due to a knee and hip injury suffered in the season opener against the Patriots. The fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft from LSU has been heavily maligned a so-called experts outside the building. Inside the building, he is respected for his work ethic and rewarded the team by starting all 17 regular-season games and three playoff contests, including the Super Bowl. After the team was designated to return to practice Monday morning, Macdonald was asked if Bradford had a chance to return for Sunday’s game with the Chiefs.

“ Normally, I am pretty quiet on this one, but it’s pretty straightforward. If he has a good week, he’ll play a significant amount, if not the whole game. It’s exciting. I’m really happy with AB (Anthony Bradford). The way he’s approached this injury and how he’s a better version of himself than he was before he got injured,” said Macdonald. “ I think it just speaks to his work ethic and positive mentality, which is really cool. AB’s played really good football for us. He’s a very physical presence for us at right guard both in the run and pass, so we’re excited to get him back possibly.”

MUCH NEEDED BOOST IN THE BACKFIELD

Quarterback Sam Darnold has been erratic, and it’s starting to show. After six games, Darnold has completed 90 of 149 pass attempts for 1,033 yards, a 60.4% completion rate. The telling numbers for Darnold and the offense are seven sacks, seven interceptions, and 14 sacks. There is plenty of blame to go around for the gaudy numbers: Darnold’s decision-making, the offensive line’s passing and run blocking, and the backfield. You can add play calling in there if we are being honest.

INCONSISTENT BACKFIELD

A suspect backfield to start the season saw first-round draft pick Jadarian Price adjusting to carrying the ball in the NFL. The rookie fumbled twice in the first three weeks of the season on 32 carries. Price sustained a minor shoulder injury during the Cardinals game on September 27th and returned to start the following weekend against the Commanders.

In that game, Price fumbled a critical run, was briefly benched, and finished with five rushing attempts for 15 yards.  The following Wednesday, Price had reaggravated his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve. George Holani and Emanuel Wilson gave it their best, but frankly it was below the team’s expectations.

Holani had a horrific fumble in the end zone against the Niners. A refocused and recommitted Holani scored a touchdown on the Seahawks’ most impressive drive against the Broncos. Emanuel Wilson has started the last three games, recorded 194 yards in 55 attempts, and scored two touchdowns. Like Holani, the former Packer has struggled with no running room and has made some bad decisions when the cutback crease was there. What’s hurting the Seahawks offense isn’t one thing. It’s a lot of little mistakes.

QUICKNESS AND SPEED

Charbonnet’s return will be a gradual. The 2023 second-round draft pick from UCLA is a quick, punishing runner who forces linebackers and defensive linemen to honor the play-action.  A knee injury in the NFC Championship Game cut Charbonnet’s Super Bowl return. A machine rehab regimen has the former Bruin primed to contribute against the Chiefs.

“ Zach is going to have a full week’s worth of reps, so that’s exciting. There is a possibility that you can see him on Sunday in some capacity, so that is exciting,’ said Macdonald. “For those who have tried to come back from significant knee surgery, understand the undertaking that takes. Zach’s a beast. He looks great. It’s not easy to say, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ For him to have that courage to say that and work through the things that he’s worked through, you can’t do anything but tip your cap to him,’ added Macdonald.

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