Jul 27, 2024; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) carries the ball after making a catch during training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Mike Macdonald has bad news for Seahawks WRs trying to make 53-man roster

Originally posted on Seattle Seahawks on SI
By Tim Weaver | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 7:41 PM ET

We can go ahead and burn the tape from today's preseason finale for the Seattle Seahawks against the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Mike Macdonald elected to protect his starters by resting them for this last preseason game of the year, instead rolling with Jalen Milroe and a bunch of backups.

In a surprise twist the Packers decided to play their defensive starters, resulting in a sloppy and lopsided affair that wasn't remotely competitive at any point. There were a few standouts amid all the ugliness, though. One of the best was wide receiver Cody White, who posted a game-high 69 receiving yards and Seattle's only touchdown and included a 35-yard punt return for good measure.

Under ordinary circumstances that performance would be enough to land White a spot on the Seahawks' initial 53-man roster. However, after the game was over Macdonal dropped quite a hammer on White and the rest of Seattle's receivers who are on the bubble. Asked if it was possible the team might only carry five wide receivers this year, Macdonald admitted it was a possibility.

Macdonald: Seahawks may only keep 5 WRs

When asked about potentially keeping only 5 WR because they’re going to be a heavy personnel team, Macdonald says: “I think it’s fair to say it’s part of the conversation.”

Nothing set in stone, but it's on the table.
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) August 23, 2025

From top to bottom, we can safely assume that Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Tory Horton Jr., and Jake Bobo's spots are safe. That leaves preseason standout Dareke Young and half a dozen other receivers fighting over the fifth and final spot.

That's a harsh state of affairs for a team that used to carry seven receivers under former head coach Pete Carroll, but this offense is nothing like any we saw during Carroll's tenure. With an extremely run-heavy game plan they have to make room for at least one fullback and will need extra tight ends, as well to carry the extra blocking workload.

The Seahawks may end up with a loaded receiver room on the practice squad, but they won't be able to keep everybody.

This article first appeared on Seattle Seahawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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