Seattle Seahawks training camp will represent a time for head coach Pete Carroll to get a look at some of his shiny new toys.
Coming off a surprising playoff appearance in the first season of the post-Russell Wilson era, Seattle has a ton of young players that can be franchise cornerstones. Meanwhile, the team retained reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith to start at quarterback.
Here’s everything you need to know about Seattle Seahawks training camp 2023 as they look to compete with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West this season.
Related: 2023 NFL schedule
Seattle Seahawks training camp schedule
The Seattle Seahawks training camp for 2023 begins on July 25 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, Washington. The first open practice will be July 26. Let’s check on their schedule for the summer in the Pacific Northwest.
- July 26: 1:30 PM PST (Welcome Back Football)
- July 28: 1:30 PM PST (Season Ticket Holder Day)
- July 30: 1:30 PM PST (Legends and Throwbacks)
- August 1: 1:30 PM PST (Kids Day)
- August 3: 1:30 PM PST (Mascot Mayhem)
- August 4: 5:20 PM PST (Football Fest)
- August 8: 1:45 PM PST (Legends and Military Appreciation)
- August 13: 10:30 AM PST (College and Alumni Day)
- August 16: 1:45 PM PST (Kids Day)
Related: 2023 NFL power rankings
Seattle Seahawks training camp storylines
How the running back situation plays out
Once he took over for an injured Rashaad Penny during his rookie season, second-round pick Kenneth Walker did his thing. The former Heisman finalist from Michigan State put up north of 1,000 rushing yards at a clip of 4.6 yards per attempt. He also added 165 receiving yards en route to finishing second in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year rankings.
This didn’t stop general manager John Schneider and Co. from exhausting a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on fellow running back Zach Charbonnet. It’s interesting to look at. Seattle is going to deploy a system approach in 2023 with Walker being able to hit the home run and Charbonnet being more of a between-the-tackles runner. We’re intrigued to see how it works out during Seahawks training camp.
Checking out the rookie first-round picks during Seattle Seahawks training camp
By virtue of the aforementioned trade of Russell Wilson, Seattle has two picks in each of the first two rounds of April’s draft. After crushing it in last year’s event, the ‘Hawks hope they did the same thing this time around.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon from Illinois was the fifth overall selection after he put up a brilliant college career. Seattle is banking on him starting opposite 2022 rookie stud Tariq Woolen to give the team the new iteration of the “Legion of Boom.”
Offensively, the ‘Hawks doubled down on wide receiver with former Ohio State standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 20th overall. Indications from the Pacific Northwest are that he’s ready to make an immediate impact with the likes of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Seattle will need both to do that if it’s going to dethrone San Francisco in the NFC West. It starts during camp.
Geno Smith’s comfort level
This represents Smith’s first summer in Seattle in which he’s the unquested QB1. Remember, the journeyman was competing with Drew Lock for that distinction last year. He has the same offensive coordinator from a season ago in Shane Waldron and an even better supporting cast than what we saw in Seattle in 2022.
- Geno Smith stats (2022): 70% completion, 4,282 yards, 30 TD, 11 INT
Prior to last season, Smith had thrown 34 career touchdowns and 37 interceptions since entering the league as a second-round pick of the New York Jets back in 2013. We’re highly intrigued to see if last seaon was a mirage more than anything else.
Related: 2023 NFL defensive rankings
Players to watch during Seahawks training camp
Dee Eskridge, wide receiver
Selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, this smallish 5-foot-9 pass-catcher did not produce in each of his first two seasons with the Seahawks. That span saw Eskridge catch just 17 passes in 20 games. It is not a great sign for the Western Michigan product as he enters his third season in the league.
Seattle selected the aforementioned Smith-Njigba in the first round of April’s draft. Right now, he’s slated to start over Eskridge in the slot with Metcalf and Lockett doing their thing on the outside. The Seahawks also have rookies Matt Landers and Jake Bobo competing for roster spots. Is there a chance that Eskridge could be released if he doen’t perform well during camp?
Related: 2023 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions
Jamal Adams, safety
Speaking of an important camp, Adams has played in all of 25 games in three seasons since the former All-Pro was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets. He missed all but one game a season ago due to torn quad tendon.
Seattle simply needs Adams to be 100% healthy and revert back to earlier-career form. He hasn’t been great in coverage during his time in the Pacific Northwest, either. The pressure is squarely on the thee-time All-Pro performer.
Julian Love, safety
On the other hand, Love came over to Seattle from the New York Giants during NFL free agency. The former Notre Dame standout started all 16 games in which he appeared for New York last season, recording 124 tackles and two interceptions. Opposing signal callers also posted a mere 89.8 QB rating when targeting him.
Right now, Adams is slated to start over Love at free safety. However, things can change during Seahawks training camp. It also must be noted that Love can play free safety and the slot corner position in a pinch.
Can you go to Seahawks training camp?
Yes. There are nine open practices throughout Seahawks training camp. They are listed above. In addition to this, fans are welcome to head to a mock game filled with music and food trucks on August 4 inside Muckleshoot Heritage Plaza. There will be apost-practice autograph session for fans. Find all tickets to Seahawks camp here.