Coby Bryant’s departure has opened the door for a new name to grab attention in Seattle, and Bud Clark is making the most of it.
The Seahawks moved on from Bryant, who had gone from slot corner to the bench before Mike Macdonald arrived ahead of the 2024 season. Now he’s with the Chicago Bears, and Seattle may already have the player who can eventually fill that role.
If the job had to be settled today, Ty Okada would be the likeliest starter. He’s been around the team for a few years and logged plenty of snaps last season when Julian Love missed time with a hamstring issue.
He handled that stretch well, but the longer-term answer may be Clark.
A 2026 second-round pick out of TCU, Clark has quickly become one of the more noticeable players in camp. The rookie has been getting better every day and has already caught Macdonald’s eye.
After Thursday’s practice, the coach said, “(Clark’s) best practice was probably the last practice. We’ll see what it looks like (in coming practices).
(He has) terrific spirit and he’s executing well, communicating well. He’s put a lot of work in.”
That kind of progression matters in a defense that values playmaking on the back end. Bryant’s value came from his ability to find the football, whether that meant interceptions or forcing fumbles.
Okada brings some of that same feel, too. The Seahawks have shown they want more than just dependable tacklers back there; they want defenders who can change possession.
Clark fits that mold. In his final four college seasons, he piled up 15 interceptions and added a forced fumble, with at least three picks in every season. That ball production is a big reason Seattle used its second selection in the 2026 draft on him.
He’s not the biggest safety around and will probably check in at 200 pounds or less early in his career, but at 6-foot-2 he can cover plenty of ground. And he may not need to step directly into Bryant’s old spot to get on the field. Seattle could use him at slot corner early, which would let Devon Witherspoon spend more time outside.
Long term, Clark and Nick Emmanwori could end up as two-thirds of the hybrid safety package Macdonald likes to deploy. The roles in this defense are fluid, and Emmanwori could be a safety on one snap and an edge rusher on the next. Clark’s versatility gives Macdonald more ways to disguise what he’s doing.
For Seahawks fans, the appeal is obvious: Clark already looks ready to matter, and training camp has only strengthened that impression. Coaches are noticing, and the rookie is giving them plenty to watch.