From initial doubts to a flawless performance – the talented rookie at Right Guard, who earned All-American honors for three straight years, is becoming a crucial piece reshaping the future of the Seattle Seahawks.

From initial doubts to a flawless performance – the talented rookie at Right Guard, who earned All-American honors for three straight years, is becoming a crucial piece reshaping the future of the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle, Washington – November 10, 2025

Every great offense starts in the trenches — and in Seattle, that foundation wears No. 76. Grey Zabel, selected by the Seahawks in Round 1, Pick 18 of the 2025 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State Bison – the reigning FCS champion, is forcing everyone around the league to take notice. Through his first eight career games, he hasn’t allowed a single sack and has quickly become an irreplaceable anchor for a 7–2 Seattle team surging toward the top of the NFC.

“He doesn’t talk much. He just works,” quarterback Sam Darnold said after Sunday’s 44–22 win over Arizona. “Grey brings calm, confidence, and trust. He’s not just protecting me — he’s helping all of us play with belief.”

Once criticized as a “reach,” Zabel has proven that general manager John Schneider’s decision to trust youth and upside was the right one. Instead of leaning on aging veterans, Seattle rebuilt its identity through the draft — choosing athletic, hungry linemen who could grow together. The result: the O-line has allowed just nine sacks in nine weeks, ranking among the best pass-protection units in the NFL.

Head coach Mike Macdonald couldn’t hide his pride in the young group.

“We asked them to grow up fast — and they did,” Macdonald said. “Grey is the perfect example of that. He’s not just holding the line; he’s helping redefine who we are as a team. That’s Seattle football — strong, fearless, and disciplined. With Grey, you see a rookie who plays like a veteran — quick to read, precise in reaction, never backing down. He brings energy, reliability, and toughness that’s contagious in our locker room. Sometimes I have to remind myself this is his first year in the NFL — because Grey Zabel is playing like he’s been doing this his entire career.”

Zabel’s emergence has transformed the offense. With his steady protection, Jaxon Smith-Njigba now leads the league in receiving yards, while Darnold has vaulted into the MVP race with 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Once criticized as too conservative, the Seahawks now boast a top-five scoring offense and a top-three passing attack.

From a small-school standout to Seattle’s steel wall, Grey Zabel is proving that greatness doesn’t always arrive with noise — sometimes it’s built in silence, snap by snap.

“He’s not just a rookie,” Darnold said with a grin. “He’s the foundation of our future.”