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Success creates a different kind of pressure. The Seattle Seahawks are neck-deep in experiencing that right now. Every defending Super Bowl champion becomes the league’s measuring stick. That reality extends far beyond the starting lineup. Building another championship contender means making difficult decisions on the back end of the roster. General manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald have now designed fierce competition at nearly every position. That guarantees tough roster cuts before Week 1. As practices intensify and preseason evaluations begin, two players appear to be facing particularly steep uphill battles. Offensive lineman Olu Oluwatimi and linebacker Patrick O’Connell have both earned respect within the organization. That said, they now find themselves squeezed by evolving depth charts and the unforgiving mathematics of NFL roster construction.
Bigger spotlight
Off the field, the Seahawks are preparing for the historic $9.6 billion sale of the franchise to the Khosla family. That landmark transaction should receive formal NFL approval later this summer. On the field, Seattle’s title defense will unfold under unprecedented national attention as HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ follows the defending champions throughout camp. Offensively, Brian Fleury steps into the offensive coordinator role with the responsibility of building on Sam Darnold’s breakout campaign. Meanwhile, an intriguing backfield pairing of Jadarian Price and Kenneth Walker III prepares to shoulder a larger workload during Zach Charbonnet’s recovery.
Defensively, Macdonald continues refining one of the league’s premier units. It’s anchored by stars such as Devon Witherspoon, Byron Murphy II, and Julian Love. Yet beneath the headlines, the most intense battles may occur among players simply fighting to earn one of the final roster spots.
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OL Olu Oluwatimi
Olu Oluwatimi knows that NFL depth charts can change remarkably fast. When Seattle drafted the former Michigan standout, the expectation was to be a long-term fixture in the middle of the offensive line. His decorated college career suggested he possessed many of the mental traits teams covet at center. Unfortunately, development rarely happens in isolation. While Oluwatimi continued working toward a larger role, other players progressed even faster. Jalen Sundell emerged as the preferred option at center. Grey Zabel remains firmly entrenched as a cornerstone along the interior. Beau Stephens has strengthened his standing through physical, versatile play.
Seattle also strengthened its offensive line depth during the offseason. Veteran Josh Jones provides valuable flexibility at tackle. Christian Haynes offers the ability to play multiple positions inside. That versatility becomes especially valuable when coaching staffs construct the final 53-man roster. This is where Oluwatimi’s challenge becomes particularly difficult.
His primary value comes at center. Unlike several teammates, he doesn’t project as a natural option across multiple interior positions. Now, Macdonald and his staff place a premium on flexibility. The ability to back up multiple positions significantly increases a player’s value. With Sundell firmly established at center and Haynes capable of providing interior depth, carrying another player whose primary role is limited to one position becomes much harder to justify.
Oluwatimi still possesses the football intelligence that made him an attractive prospect, of course. That said, intelligence alone may not overcome the roster realities surrounding him. Unless he delivers a dominant preseason, he could become an unfortunate casualty of Seattle’s improved offensive line.
LB Patrick O’Connell
Linebacker may quietly be one of Seattle’s deepest position groups, which puts Patrick O’Connell in a precarious position. He has carved out a reputation as a dependable, high-effort player who embraces the less glamorous aspects of football. His willingness to contribute on special teams has earned respect throughout the organization.
The problem is that Seattle’s linebacker room has become increasingly crowded. Ernest Jones IV remains the unquestioned leader of the defense. Drake Thomas has firmly established himself after earning a contract extension. Tyrice Knight continues developing into an important piece with the athletic profile to contribute on all three downs. The return of Chazz Surratt further complicates the situation.
Seattle may ultimately decide that carrying four off-ball linebackers is sufficient. That may allow additional roster spots to be allocated toward the defensive line or secondary instead. If that happens, O’Connell becomes one of the most obvious roster casualties despite his professionalism and contributions.
Difficult decisions
Olu Oluwatimi and Patrick O’Connell have both demonstrated qualities NFL coaches admire. They understand their roles and have contributed whenever called upon. Yet championship-caliber rosters demand more than reliability. They require versatility, developmental upside, and the flexibility to maximize every available roster spot.
Seattle’s aggressive roster building has created exactly that kind of competition. Oluwatimi must prove he offers more value than a center-only reserve. O’Connell needs to show he can outperform a crowded linebacker group.
Training camp produces surprise success stories and forces painful goodbyes. Unless both players significantly elevate their standing over the coming weeks, they could become among the Seahawks’ most notable roster cuts.
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