Bradfords Future?

[glenwo2]

For an offensive line's sustained success, continuity plays an equal role to individual talent. Further, the salary cap dictates that every roster position cannot be filled with a superstar. Finally, we didn't hear Milton Williams name very often in Bradford's biggest game of his career.

We didn't hear Milton Williams name very often because SAM "Ginger Cuz" DARNOLD did his best matador impression in escaping Milton on a BUNCH of occasions.

It had nothing to do with AB holding him back.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

We didn't hear Milton Williams name very often because SAM "Ginger Cuz" DARNOLD did his best matador impression in escaping Milton on a BUNCH of occasions.

It had nothing to do with AB holding him back.

Agreed. His run blocking was good though

 

[Jville]

So what do you all think we should do with him? He will be on the last year of his contract this coming season and has a 2026 cap hit of $4.1 million. Although we have plenty of cap space it will go quick with all the stars on the team. I know he was the the punching bag for this forum last year and the early part of this season. BUT he has definitely improved throughout the season. Has he improved enough to keep? Can he improve even more? What options for replacements? Drafting a rookie will not necessarily mean improvement (will take time to develop) especially where we lay in the draft order. Very improbable we will get another Zabel without giving the farm away to move up in the draft. Thoughts?

I'm looking at a 2026 cap cost of $3,805,997. Bradford wasn't the only player who showed up in poor condition for Macdonald's first year. He did however redeem himself, along with others, in 2025 with much improved conditioning. He's only 26 years old. He has had 3 different line coaches in as many years. I think he knows his feet and understanding of blocking must improve. If the emphasis continues with outside zone, the upcoming draft should continue to emphasize a background in playing tackle ..... as John Schneider did in last year's draft. That's where colleges deploy the more mobile athletes. Bradford does give them a change up for an inside run complement. Just got to keep working toward quicker feet and play recognition.

At this point in the off season, I'm more focused on coaching changes.

 

[godawg]

I would like to see us trade up in the 1st round to get Vega, but if we stay where we are we could probably get Pregnon or Bisontis. I would rather overpay for Woolen than draft a CB in the 1st round and continue to risk Darnold's safety with Bradford in front of him.

 

[glenwo2]

Agreed. His run blocking was good though

No question it was.

Not arguing that.

But we need an upgrade.

Someone who can both run-block AND pass-block effectively.

That's just my take.

 

[glenwo2]

I would like to see us trade up in the 1st round to get Vega, but if we stay where we are we could probably get Pregnon or Bisontis. I would rather overpay for Woolen than draft a CB in the 1st round and continue to risk Darnold's safety with Bradford in front of him.

I wouldn't.

But I get your argument.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

No question it was.

Not arguing that.

But we need an upgrade.

Someone who can both run-block AND pass-block effectively.

That's just my take.

I'm not sure there is one next year. I think there is potential centers and moving sundell to guard but Sundell cant move people like Bradford can at run blocking

 

[LeveeBreak]

There has been virtually no improvement. There has been no leap. He's had years. He was always a low floor/low ceiling guy, so there's nothing "wild" about admitting he sucks and will most likely continue to suck. Worst starter on the whole team.

That's not what the experts say. While he's certainly not top anything for an OG, he has improved over the season.

 

[SonicHawk]

Getting definite Chris Gray vibes here. Endlessly panned on the board here, but just kept coming back and starting.

Sorry, but watching all-22 from your couch and picking out lowlight clips doesn't make one a coach.

I'd be surprised if they cut Bradford. I'd also be surprised if they don't draft additional O-line help this year.

You know what sutz...

 

[chris98251]

He went from a worthless pile to a pile. improvement but we need better, I get sick watching replays where he looks like he was guessing and the guy moves past him and he stands upright looking back at the destruction the player causes. Get sick of seeing him trip over his feet and fall on his face also. When he hits everything right on a play he looks great and dominant, but he seems to lose focus.

 

[flv2]

If you didn't like Bradford at $1M you're not going to like him at $4M. He's good enough to be a bottom-end starter or the 1 of your 3 game-day bench O-Line guys. In 2025 preseason Haynes and Cabeldue were a significant downgrade. The 2026 Seahawks will look for an upgrade at RG, or a cheaper like-for-like player. Bradford's contract isn't guaranteed so waiting and then making a decision to start him in September is a reasonable fall-back position.

 

[HawkinNY]

He is the strongest dude on the Oline. But he’s too slow and misses assignments way too much. Def keep but draft his replacement. Or sign a proven vet.

 

[onanygivensunday]

He can't block in space... period. He's absolutely worthless as a pulling guard on run plays.

He also gets beat repeatedly with quickness in pass pro.

Certainly(?), we can find someone who doesn't have such glaring shortcomings.

 

[Ruminator]

So he's beyond Karate Kid-ing to far greater abilities this offseason?

 

[HawkRiderFan]

He is such a high variance player. Even in just the Super Bowl there were some clips of him mauling guys and the way he blocked on the big screen play to Walker. But then there are plays where he gets beat right off the line. Maybe it happens to others and we don't see those clips cause it's not someone on our team but so many times he ends up making things worse by running into a teammate or ends up looking completely lost on a play.

 

[bileever]

Not a whole lot of free agent guards out there this year, so it's not going to be easy to improve at that position through free agency. I doubt Schneider will pay $20 million a year to sign David Edwards. I would take a chance on someone like Alijah Vera-Tucker, but he's been injured so much throughout his career. And, he won't be cheap, either.

The other way to go is to pick up one of the free agent centers, Tyler Lindenbaum or Connor McGovern. That would upgrade the interior of the O-line. Both of those guys are really good and would be a better, safer investment than overpaying for the guards that are available.

 

[MORGULON]

So he's beyond Karate Kid-ing to far greater abilities this offseason?

Got a visual

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Not a whole lot of free agent guards out there this year, so it's not going to be easy to improve at that position through free agency. I doubt Schneider will pay $20 million a year to sign David Edwards. I would take a chance on someone like Alijah Vera-Tucker, but he's been injured so much throughout his career. And, he won't be cheap, either.

The other way to go is to pick up one of the free agent centers, Tyler Lindenbaum or Connor McGovern. That would upgrade the interior of the O-line. Both of those guys are really good and would be a better, safer investment than overpaying for the guards that are available.

Literally every team wants Lindenbaum and thinks they are getting him. Hes getting a huge deal.

 

[Appyhawk]

We have Milroe and Lock behind him. It's not like we don't have developmental candidates. Milroe's next level of advancement is to make Lock expendable.

You must have gotten lost on the thread list!

 

[Appyhawk]

Yes.
It's easy to pick on Bradford's flaws, some of which have been blatant and appalling. That can spill into hyperbole without always considering the bigger picture.

The coaches see enough to keep starting him. An immediate replacement is going to cost either draft picks and/or cap space and there's no guarantees. The need to keep adding depth and improvements to the OL is clear. Cap space evaporates quickly when players start getting re-signed. There's a lot of moving pieces, some of which we can't see from outside.

Keep churning, keep improving; I just don't see the need to reach for an immediate replacement when that decision impacts continuity and the ability to retain other pieces. Maybe he ends up replaced, but those decisions have to fit the overall plan.

Or the coaches don't see enough behind him to keep from starting him. Thus the competition angle requires additional feed.