Seahawks could replace proctor of Sam Darnold with Iowa OL only if things go very wrong

The Seattle Seahawks are coming off winning Super Bowl 60 and an offseason that addressed all of their biggest needs.

While the defensive side of the ball looks strong, and the offense got a new running back in Jadarian Price, there is still one spot that's very much up in the air: right guard.

Last year, Anthony Bradford, a volatile protector for Sam Darnold, struggled at times during the season. And now, as ESPN's Ben Solak highlighted, Bradford might be replaced by a 5th-round rookie in Beau Stephens.

"But eventually they did make a move, with Iowa guard Beau Stephens in the fifth round," Solak writes. "That draft capital is insufficient for Stephens to immediately see first-team reps during training camp, so Bradford's job is likely safe for Week 1."

This situation is a worrying one for Seattle, as Stephens' starting would mean that things are going very poorly, and having to rely on a 5th-round rookie is a huge risk.

Seahawks might have to take big risk with 5th-round rookie OG

Bradford isn't likely to relinquish the starting role right away. The only chance that Stephens gets into the lineup, outside of an injury, would be if Bradford is struggling.

And the result of Bradford struggling this year, especially if those struggles occur in the middle of the season, could leave Seattle with a huge hole at right guard once more.

That position was a huge issue for this team last year, and if it weren't for their elite defense shutting down Drake Maye and the New England Patriots, their interior offensive line might've posed a huge issue in the Super Bowl.

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The guard spot needs to be solid for Seattle in 2026, and with Bradford's volatility, there's a chance that the Seahawks suffer a defeat or two due in part to Bradford's struggles.

And even if Stephens takes over, he's a Day 3 rookie who will have the tough task of protecting Darnold from some of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.

With a lack of premium assets spent on this position, the Seahawks might be in a bit of a tricky spot regarding their offensive guard spot this upcoming season.

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