Anthony Bradford's return gives Seahawks hope of fixing struggling offensive line

The move allows Bradford to resume practicing while the Seahawks evaluate whether he is ready to return to the active roster. It does not guarantee that he will play against Kansas City, but the timing offers encouragement for an offense that needs greater consistency.

Seahawks need stability up front

Bradford’s importance goes beyond adding another body to the offensive line. The 2023 fourth-round pick has started 39 of the 43 games he has played in his NFL career, including all 17 regular-season games and Seattle’s three postseason contests in 2025.

His absence has forced the Seahawks to adjust at right guard. Christian Haynes has started in his place over the past five games, while rookie Beau Stephens has also seen playing time at the position, according to the team’s official website.

Restoring a familiar starter could help Seattle establish more continuity in protection and run blocking. That matters for quarterback Sam Darnold, whose recent turnover problems have increased scrutiny of the offense following the Seahawks’ 17-14 overtime defeat in Denver.

However, Bradford’s return should not be treated as an automatic fix. The offensive line’s performance depends on communication across all five positions, and one player cannot independently eliminate pressure or correct every issue in the passing game.

A timely opportunity before Kansas City

Seattle enters the Chiefs matchup needing to improve on both sides of the offense. Better protection could give Darnold more time to work through progressions, while improved blocking could help the team create a more balanced attack.

The challenge is substantial. Kansas City presents a difficult test, and Bradford would have limited time to rebuild his game rhythm before potentially returning to the lineup.

For the Seahawks, the priority should be ensuring that Bradford is physically ready rather than rushing him back because of the opponent or the urgency of the situation. If he can return safely and perform close to his previous level, Seattle would regain an experienced starter at a position that has required adjustments.

Bradford’s practice window is therefore an encouraging development, not a guaranteed turnaround. His availability could improve Seattle’s chances of stabilizing the offensive line, but the team still needs better execution from the entire unit if it hopes to get its season back on track.