Could Seahawks’ Coby Bryant Be Next in Line for an Extension?

Coby Bryant has had anything but a traditional NFL journey. After switching positions twice in his first two years, the former Jim Thorpe Award winner now looks locked in at safety — and may be earning himself a long-term role with the Seattle Seahawks.

Head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t hold back his praise when asked about Bryant during June minicamp.

“How can I compliment Coby the best?” Macdonald said, pausing to gather his thoughts. “What stuck out to me was just his intentionality, and he cared about the minor details all the time even though his role wasn’t a starter [from the] get-go,” Macdonald said. “So he has that chip on his shoulder naturally because he’s just a great competitor, but those are the type of guys we want. … When he finally got his opportunity, he knocked it out of the park, and he’s earned himself a great role on our football team.”

Contract Talks Coming?

Bryant is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He’s scheduled to make $3.4 million in 2025, and while the Seahawks haven’t publicly discussed a contract extension, the timing may be right. Seattle often finalizes deals during training camp — which begins next week.

Julian Love is under contract through 2027, and the team just signed second-round rookie Nick Emmanwori to a fully guaranteed deal. Still, Bryant’s performance since switching to safety has made it clear he’s not just a placeholder.

“He’s in a great position,” Macdonald added. “I know he’s playing really confident right now, and you feel him out there. So we’re excited for Coby.”

From Nickelback to Safety

Bryant played alongside Sauce Gardner at Cincinnati, where he won the 2021 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. The Seahawks selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft and moved him to nickelback.

As a rookie, he was solid — forcing four fumbles and recording two sacks while playing a major role in Seattle’s defense. But two toe injuries disrupted his 2023 season, and the emergence of Devon Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick, cost him the nickelback job.

That led to another change. Bryant transitioned to safety in 2024, starting behind veteran Rayshawn Jenkins. But it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. After Jenkins injured his hand, Bryant stepped into the starting lineup and immediately produced — including a clutch interception to seal a win over the Falcons.

“I’m not surprised,” Macdonald said. “Again, this guy just keeps playing at a high level. … He just sees how plays progress. He just seems like he’s in the right spot all the time on these overthrows and patrolling the deep area of the field.”

Big Plays and Bigger Impact

Bryant kept making plays. He finished the season with three interceptions — including one he returned 69 yards for a touchdown in a win over the Cardinals that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

While linebacker Ernest Jones IV drew headlines for helping spark the defense midseason, Bryant’s rise at safety was just as important.

Julian Love, Seattle’s other starting safety, summed it up this way:

“Coby has a chip on his shoulder, and that’s why we all love him so much,” Love said. “It’s kind of like [Michael] Jordan in ‘The Last Dance.’ He takes everything personal. That’s the type of person he is. He competes in everything he does, and when he’s quiet, he’s locked in and in the zone. … I think we just love Coby for who he is, and he works his ass off.”

Rookie Deal Signed — But What’s Next for Bryant?

Seattle signed Emmanwori to a fully guaranteed rookie deal on Thursday night, ending his holdout and setting a new standard for second-round contracts across the league. But even with the rookie now in the fold, Bryant’s spot in the starting lineup seems secure — at least for now.

The Seahawks originally planned to play Emmanwori at nickel, not safety, which shows they still trust Bryant in his current role.

Now, the question becomes: will that trust turn into a new deal?

With training camp around the corner and Bryant coming off a strong season, his contract situation is definitely one to watch.