Seattle Seahawks Launch 2026 OTA with “Run It Forward” Mindset

On Tuesday, April 23, the Seahawks held their first organized team activity at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton. The 2-hour, 20-minute session drew 84 of the 91 players on the 90-man roster, a turnout the team called “near-perfect.” Rain-soaked drills included 7-on-7 passing work, 11-on-11 reps, a standout catch by rookie running back Jadarian Price, and a pick-six by linebacker Drake Thomas after intercepting Sam Darnold.

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Head coach Mike Macdonald stressed that the offseason is about process, not defending a championship. He explained, “We’re using the term, we want to run it forward — ‘it’ meaning our process and who we are,” and added that the team’s new T-shirts and daily conversations revolve around “chasing edges, a spirit of evolution and moving forward.” A Super Bowl banner now hangs in the indoor facility, but Macdonald said it is a reminder, not a distraction.

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Macdonald praised the collective commitment, noting the “great spirits” and “phenomenal communication” from players who could not attend. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II echoed that sentiment: “It just shows that all the guys, we’re bought in.” The coach also addressed edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence’s absence, confirming the 34-year-old is “working through some things, but he’s in great spirits, and he’ll be here at some point.” Plans for a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans were reiterated as a developmental priority.

Day 1 Of Seahawks’ OTAs, Injury Updates On Tory Horton & More

Media speculation has linked Lawrence’s potential retirement to the birth of his sixth child and a guaranteed $5 million salary for 2026. Macdonald’s reassurance that Lawrence will return contrasts with those reports, leaving his exact timeline uncertain. Similar ambiguity surrounds running back Zach Charbonnet’s ACL recovery and wide receiver Tory Horton’s shin injury, both of which lack definitive return dates.

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• Retirement speculation for Lawrence versus Macdonald’s statement of expected return.

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• No public timetable for Lawrence’s comeback or Charbonnet’s rehab beyond a vague “July” reference.

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• Limited injury updates for specialists and the three absent edge rushers (Lawrence, Derick Hall, Dante Fowler Jr.).

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• “We're using the term, we want to run it forward -- 'it' meaning our process and who we are,” — Mike Macdonald, head coach

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• “And part of that standard here is chasing edges, a spirit of evolution and a spirit of moving forward all the time. … I’ve just been really pleased with every day’s work, and haven’t sensed an ounce of complacency, and that’s been really positive.” — Mike Macdonald

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• “He's working through some things but he's in great spirits and he'll be here at some point.” — Mike Macdonald on DeMarcus Lawrence

Day 1 Of Seahawks’ OTAs, Injury Updates On Tory Horton & More

• “It just shows that all the guys, we’re bought in,” — Byron Murphy II, defensive tackle

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Seattle hopes to finalize a joint practice with the Titans before the August 23 preseason game. The Seahawks will host the Dallas Cowboys on August 15 and travel to the Kansas City Chiefs on August 28. A ring ceremony celebrating the Super Bowl win is slated for June, after which the focus will shift to training camp and final roster decisions.

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