Guard Anthony Bradford said he understands how Seattle’s acquisition of Quenton Nelson has moved him out of the starting lineup.
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Seattle acquired All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts in a trade announced on Tuesday, and the move quickly reshaped the Seahawks’ offensive line depth chart.
With Nelson added at left guard, Grey Zabel moved to the starting right guard spot, effectively moving Anthony Bradford out of the starting lineup, the team’s coach and players said.
From a personal perspective, Bradford said the change was disappointing. “Of course, from the human [aspect], it's disappointing,” he said. “But sadly, that's the business that we're in, and I understand that. I got respect for the guys upstairs and for Quenton and for my other O-line dudes.”
Head coach Mike Macdonald said the team sees the trade as an opportunity that affects both the players already in Seattle and the new addition. “It's a situation where you understand how it affects the guys that have been here and working hard and have earned a great role in our team, but also, two things can be true at the same time,” Macdonald said. “It's an opportunity to bring along an all-time, probably a surefire Hall of Fame guard with a great track record and for our understanding about the type of person he is to join our locker room.”
Bradford also said his motivation hasn’t changed despite the lineup shift, describing Nelson’s impact as something that makes the decision straightforward. “I love playing ball. That's what I do, but it's kind of a no brainer. It's Quenton Nelson,” Bradford said.
The depth-chart change comes less than a week after Bradford returned to game action for the second time this season. He played in his second game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs after time on injured reserve with knee and hip injuries.
Bradford said his return to the field felt good, and he credited the team for the result. “It felt great being out there with my dudes and getting a dub,” he said. “Ultimately, it felt good. I felt like I played pretty good.”
Macdonald said Bradford’s performance in Week 7 earned him a significant role, even though the current lineup has him starting elsewhere. “It's not an easy situation. I thought Anthony (Bradford) played good football for us, and he has, and he's earned a significant role on our team, a starting-level role,” Macdonald said. “It's one of those 'Through not around' type of things with AB (Anthony Bradford) that is not easy. There's no way to sugarcoat it, and he believes this when we say this, how much we love him. The guys love him in the locker room. He's a fantastic teammate.”
While Bradford is no longer in the starting lineup, Macdonald said the opportunity to play can come quickly in the NFL. “We know how this league works. You're a play away from him playing every play again,” Macdonald said.
Bradford said he expects his preparation and mindset to remain focused on staying ready, framing it as part of the league’s day-to-day reality. “It's the NFL. It's literally one play from being back out there, so that's what the stress is about, just staying ready and staying in it and not really getting too much into your feelings and do your job,” Bradford said. “... Only thing I can control is what I can control, and that's being a pro, being a good teammate. Just being here for my teammates and making sure I'm staying in shape and doing what I've got to do.”
In the locker room, Bradford has also heard from veteran Leonard Williams, who was acquired by Seattle midway through the 2023 season. Williams told Bradford that in the league, what happens outside a player’s control can be distracting, but focusing on attitude, mindset and work ethic can help turn situations into opportunities. “I just tell him to control what he can,” Williams said. “There's so many times in this league, in this business that there's things happening outside of your control, outside of your realm. The more you focus on those things, the more it takes away what you can do. And in these situations, all you can do is just focus on yourself, focus on things that you can control, which is your attitude, mindset, work ethic. And a lot of times you could turn a situation that may look not so great in your favor, you could turn it into something special.”
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