Seahawks' secret Super Bowl weapon will be even better in 2026
The hidden starting unit that nobody else talks about
Ask any fan why the Seahawks won the Super Bowl and the top-three answers will probably be Sam Darnold, Mike Macdonald, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, in some order. Ask for a less obvious answer and they might say Kenneth Walker, Nick Emmanwori, or John Schneider.
None of those answers are wrong, but they didn’t separate the Seahawks from the great teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl as much as something that is as under-appreciated as it is obvious:
An elite special teams unit that ranked second in DVOA, first in kickoff coverage/average starting field position, and led to game-changing wins during Seattle’s Super Bowl run with moments like these:
Week 14: Rashid Shaheed KO return TD vs. Falcons
Week 15: Jason Myers 6/6 field goals to beat Colts
Week 16: Shaheed punt return TD vs. Rams
Divisional Round: Shaheed KO return TD vs 49ers
NFC Championship: Punt Fumble Recovery vs Rams
Super Bowl: Michael Dickson 7 punts with 48 yard average, Myers’ Super Bowl record FGs
Of course the Seahawks couldn’t win the Super Bowl on special teams alone, they needed everybody else a little bit more, but special teams is what SEPARATED Seattle from the other great teams. None of their rivals were close to the hidden yards and points brought by Jay Harbaugh’s special teams last season.
Well, what if I told you that the Seahawks are not only bringing almost everyone on special teams back for 2026, but have been adding — and will continue to add — more talent to that unit for next season?
Michael Dickson Appreciation Day
Here are stats we haven’t talked about yet. Dickson’s playoff numbers:
15 punts
10 punts inside the 20
8 total return yards
It’s amazing that Seattle even had to punt that many times while going 3-0 (and two dominant wins) but even more remarkable that the Seahawks held opponents to just 0.5 yard per punt return.
Dickson’s first punt of the playoffs went out of bounds at the SF5. At the end of the NFC Championship, he pinned L.A. back at their own LA7, choking their hopes of a comeback. In the Super Bowl, Dickson had three of seven punts stop inside the NE6.
It’s not only the sign of a great punter, but also of elite coaching and coverage. However, we never call the coverage guys “starters” and that’s probably a practice that should end in Seattle. Who are they?
Let’s see if we can preview that which never gets previewed.
Seahawks 2026 Coverage “Starters”
Who might they be? I’ve compiled special teams snaps since Harbaugh was hired by Mike Macdonald in 2024. Almost all of them are coming back!
Returning (2024-2025 snaps):
D’Anthony Bell*: 645 ST snaps (394 snaps (2024 w/Browns), 251 snaps (2025))
Mike Morris: 635 ST snaps (287 snaps (2024), 348 snaps (2025))
Brady Russell: 626 ST snaps (230 snaps (2024), 396 snaps (2025))
Drake Thomas: 468 ST snaps (318 snaps (2024), 150 snaps (2025))
Chazz Surratt*: 453 ST snaps (272 snaps (2024 w/Jets), 181 snaps (2025))
Jake Bobo: 448 ST snaps (314 snaps (2024), 134 snaps (2025))
Eric Saubert*: 457 ST snaps (302 snaps (2024 w/49ers), 155 snaps (2025))
Nehemiah Pritchett: 328 ST snaps (73 snaps (2024), 255 snaps (2025))
Tyrice Knight: 240 ST snaps (82 snaps, (2024), 158 snaps (2025))
Patrick O’Connell: 207 ST snaps (58 snaps (2024), 149 snaps (2025))
A.J. Barner: 204 ST snaps (160 snaps (2024), 44 snaps (2025))
Kenny McIntosh: 173 ST snaps (2024)
George Holani: 169 ST snaps (36 snaps (2024), 133 snaps (2025))
Cody White: 166 ST snaps (49 snaps (2024) 117 snaps (2025))
Ty Okada: 140 ST snaps (23 snaps (2024) 117 snaps (2025))
Connor O’Toole: 97 ST snaps (2025)
Robbie Ouzts: 56 ST snaps (2025)
Ricky White: 9 ST snaps (2025)
*Includes snaps with a different team
Losses:
Dareke Young: 387 ST snaps (231 snaps (2024), 156 snaps (2025))
Coby Bryant: 207 ST snaps (148 snaps (2024), 59 snaps (2025))
Notable Players Coming Back
How Many Coverage Players?
A team could have between 7-9 primary players on special teams coverage, including two gunners. Harbaugh has so many options to choose from that even those who don’t make it could get claimed by other teams.
Most-Likely Coverage “Starters”
#1 “Captain” - Brady Russell
As noted on the Seahawks website, Russell has led Seattle in special teams tackles in each of the last two seasons: 10 in 2024, 14 in 2025. Keep in mind, Russell missed six games in 2024 and still led the team. In addition to being one of the most competent social media wizards among athletes that I know of…
Russell is the de facto captain of special teams, even though Macdonald only assigns weekly captains, not yearly.
So enamored with Russell, the Seahawks re-signed him to a two-year, $4.8 million contract despite barely having a role on offense. This is not me demeaning Russell’s impact on the team, to say that he barely has a role, that’s just a fact. He averaged two snaps per game.
Actually, if you say that I’m demeaning him, then you’re demeaning the value of special teams! He’s a special teams STARTER and Russell reportedly turned down other offers (his uncle works directly for Eagles GM Howie Roseman, could Philadelphia have been courting him?) to return to Seattle.
If fans could only pick one sure thing on coverage, he would be Brady Russell.
#2 - D’Anthony Bell
Even though Bell was released late last season, making it apparent that the Seahawks are somewhat comfortable putting him at risk, the relationship was clearly not severed or even uncomfortable. The Seahawks brought back Bell on a one-year deal with $125,000 guaranteed.
Bell brings 1,252 snaps worth of special teams experience over his four-year career. That experience paid off in the form of a blocked punt against the Saints, the 35th time that has happened in franchise history.
The biggest obstacle to Bell being a starter is whether or not he will make the 53-man roster or not. Seattle’s safety depth is already great and he’s probably not high on the depth chart there. Bell might start out the season on the practice squad, as he did in 2025, but that didn’t stop him from eventually playing in 14 games for the Seahawks.
In case you missed Tuesday’s bonus: The Devon Witherspoon situation could get AWKWARD!
#3 - Mike Morris
I just talked about Morris in Tuesday’s player rankings, slotting him at a very respectable 43rd overall. If Morris doesn’t get an increased role on defense next season, there’s nothing wrong with that. Reunited with Michigan coach Jay Harbaugh, Morris has played more special teams snaps for the Seahawks since 2024 than any other player.
Morris’s special teams prowess probably gets overshadowed more than any other player, even though he had a reputation as a good special teamer in both high school and college (blocked kick in 2022), while continuing that on kickoff coverage with Seattle: Here’s a highlight reel of all of his kickoff tackles.
With a solid hold on a job in the defensive line rotation, Morris is virtually as assured a spot on special teams as Russell.
If the Seahawks only had these three players, that would be more special teams experience and value than most teams. But this barely scratches the surface.
What’s your favorite Seahawks special teams memory?
Special Teams Stock Up
CB Nehemiah Pritchett: Increased role significantly in 2025, finishing third on Seahawks with 255 snaps
LB Chazz Surratt: Was on torrid pace of 60% snaps (that would’ve been third-highest on the team) until landing on IR in November
LB Tyrice Knight: After losing LB job to Drake Thomas, Knight became major factor on special teams
LB Patrick O’Connell: Played in 65% of the snaps after Surratt injury
It’s doubtful that all three linebackers will have a special teams role at the same time. While O’Connell might have some more upside as a linebacker, Surratt is viewed as the superior player on special teams, including at least one key block for a Tory Horton 95-yard punt return TD.
If we picked two out of this group, Pritchett and Surratt would make the most sense. However, Knight’s not someone to overlook as he stands a better chance of being more indespensible than Surratt.
Special Teams Stock Down
It’s not a bad thing. These players just have bigger fish to fry.
LB Drake Thomas: Replacing Knight on defense, Thomas essentially moved off of special teams in the middle of the year.
TE A.J. Barner: Working his way up the list of the best tight ends in the NFL, Barner is no longer a regular on special teams.
WR Jake Bobo: We’ll see what role Seattle has in mind for Bobo. His special teams snaps went down, but so did his playing time on offense.
Despite Bobo’s decreased role last season, the Seahawks matched an offer by the Jaguars to bring him back on a two-year, $5.5 million deal. Brian Fleury may have a different plan in mind for Bobo than Klint Kubiak—that’d be totally great—but worst case, he should have a role for Harbaugh.
So…special teams stock UP for Jake Bobo.
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Special Teams Rising Stars
WR Ricky White III
Even though he only got nine snaps as a rookie, White could become the breakout star of special teams in year two. It just depends on him making the team in some capacity over another receiver.
At UNLV, White was Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year in 2024 thanks to a nation-leading four blocked punts. White is a major Seahawks sleeper to watch.
OLB Connor O’Toole
In a limited role, O’Toole still managed an astounding five special teams tackle, plus a fumble recovery. Why astounding? Well, he did that on only 97 snaps. That’s a Brady Russell pace. When assessing which undrafted pass rusher could make the team, O’Toole is a good bet for this reason.
New Players
If we stopped right here, fans could count at least 10 standout special teamers. A group with Russell, Morris, Bell, Surratt, Pritchett, Bobo, O’Connell, Knight, White, and O’Toole would be GREAT. But that’s not where we stop. Not even close.
Additions (2024-2025 snaps):
Rodney Thomas II: 461 ST snaps (173 snaps (2024), 278 snaps (2025))
Irvin Charles: 450 ST snaps* (236 snaps (2023), 214 snaps (2024))
Harrison Bryant: 193 ST snaps (96 snaps (2024), 97 snaps (2025))
Emmanuel Henderson: Rookie
Jadarian Price: Rookie
*2023-2024
The Seahawks traded for Charles, pretty much only because of special teams ability. Despite missing all of last season, Seattle was eager to add Charles by making a (very small, low-risk) trade last month. If Charles makes the 53-man roster, it’ll be as a special teamer.
If there are no injuries, the Seahawks have five WRs locked into the roster, leaving an uber-competitive battle for WR6, and potentially WR7, between Charles, White, White III, and this rookie…
WR Emmanuel Henderson, Jr.
Henderson could be a day one special teams star for Harbaugh:
Henderson reportedly became a favorite of Jay Harbaugh because of the overlap between his skill set and the role Seattle previously gave to Dareke Young. The combination of straight-line speed, return experience, and proven gunner reps in coverage units gives him an immediate pathway to a helmet on game day, even before the offensive side fully develops.
“Many evaluators viewed Henderson as one of the better special teams prospects in the class specifically because of his versatility. He averaged 22.8 yards per kickoff return during his college career while also recording 14 special teams tackles as gunner. The tape as a gunner is particularly intriguing. Henderson consistently wins with pure burst off the line, forcing return units to widen protections earlier than expected. On several reps, he’s already even with the returner before the blocking structure fully develops, creating immediate disruption in the return lane.”
Lance Zierlein also highlighted Henderson’s “gunner” ability before the draft as a reason he could make an NFL roster. He was also first-team All-Big 12 as a kick returner.
And the rookie class doesn’t end there. Jadarian Price was drafted to fill Seattle’s need at running back, but he’s also considered one of—if not the best—kick returners in Notre Dame history.
We have yet to even talk about Seattle’s ABSURD talent in the return game — Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Henderson, and Price — but they’re very likely to set the standard on special teams in that area too.
Coverage “Starters”?
If forced to pick a top-eight, I’d go: Brady Russell, Mike Morris, D’Anthony Bell, Jake Bobo, Chazz Surratt, Irvin Charles, Connor O’Toole, and Emmanuel Henderson, Jr..
This isn’t even getting into the possibilities at hand if White III makes the roster, it’s just hard to project which WRs will be available. Maybe it’s White III over Charles or Henderson. Then there’s Rodney Thomas II, a standout special teamer with the Colts, and we didn’t even get to him. Or Pritchett, Eric Saubert, Robbie Ouzts (a very good STer at Alabama), and George Holani.
The talent is insane. The depth is insane.
And then at some point—eventually—we’ll get to talk about a record-setting field goal kicker, an All-Pro punter, an elite punt/kickoff returner in Shaheed (Price or Horton could be just as valuable), and hell, Chris Stoll is good too.
These are just the special teamers that we know about, mostly. With more time, more will emerge, I’m certain. Because Jay Harbaugh, for as much shrapnel as he caught when replacing Larry Izzo in 2024 (none of it his own fault, just a resentment for firing Izzo), has been nothing short of the best special teams coordinator in the NFL.
I don’t know what he has in store for fans next. If it’s any better than 2025, I think our heads will explode. Again.