With a bright future ahead for Byron Murphy II, and with the expectations of Murphy being a player that both head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager and president of football operations, John Schneider are excited about, his approach to football shows maturity and the drive to get better every day.
Earlier this season, during rookie minicamp, Macdonald was asked about what he's seen from Murphy so far.
"We're not going to crown him right now like he's the next best defensive tackle of all time," he said. "But we're really excited about it. He shows all the bend and the strength at the point of attack and acceleration. Need to get in a little bit better shape, so we can get through a whole practice and fly around like we expect him to but he understands that just like the rest of these guys, it's so hard to stay in this elite shape the way the calendar is set up. So he'll get there but we'll be pushing them in the meantime."
And after the Seahawks wrapped up their Football Fest at Lumen Field, Macdonald stayed consistent.
"With Byron, I feel like I give you guys the same answer every time time you ask. He's a guy that we thought he was. Again, let's not crown him yet, but he's on the way. He's a force in there. I think the guys see it. I'm pleased with his effort. The guy brings it every day. He's a rookie. There's things that we want to attack, but he's a savvy football player. He knows what he's doing out there. He's not lost, plays fast, plays rugged. I think the future is bright for Mr. Murphy."
Out on the field and in the weight room, he's made changes to make sure he got into the shape that Macdonald needed him to be in by taking notes from the veterans. And how exactly does a 306-pound defense tackle shed weight? According to Murphy it was "easy."
"The biggest part was really, I'll say cardio and just really just being active really…Just going out there, just being active, running around and everything. I lost the weight like it wasn't nothing."
Adding that the advice he gets from his teammates helps.
"I give thanks to him seeing them guys like Mike Mo (Mike Morris) and the rest of the d-line, J-Reed (Jarran Reed) and all them guys. Seeing them how they take care of (their) bodies, I'm just trying to learn from them and add on my preparation and everything. And I feel like that's really one of the most important things before coming out here on the field, prepping your body (and) make sure you're feeling good, feeling all right, ready to go."
But the advice about taking care of his body isn't all that the rookie is learning from them.
"Iron sharpens iron," Murphy said about getting one-on-ones during drills before practice. "I feel like they're going great. I'm getting them better, they (are) getting me better."
Going up against the ones in practice has helped Murphy grasp the speed of the game too. "I've been here and been practicing, and running, and having reps running with the ones, the game has slowed all the way down for me, so I'm picking it up. I'm picking up everything, I'm not thinking (anymore), I'm just out there playing."
And with his teammates of Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Johnathan Hankins by his side, all three with a combined 28 years in the league, they are a wealth of knowledge that Murphy's been able to lean on.
"I'm learning a lot, learning a lot from J-Reed (Jarran Reed), Leo (Leonard Williams), Hank (Johnathan Hankins), them guys lead me in the right direction."
Adding there are a few techniques he's learned from them, "The biggest thing so far I'll say (is) my hands when it (comes) to pass rush, and also just fixing my stance, they fix my stance a little bit, and also I'll say get offs too, they worked on my get offs and everything. It's just a blessing to be with them, they keep pushing me, they push me to be better each and every day, and I appreciate them guys."
The Seahawks held an early practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks safety Marquise Blair (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
The Seahawks defensive line practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback PJ Walker (15) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kairee Robinson (35) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Jack Westover (89) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (50) and running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Richardson (43) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks guard McClendon Curtis (66) and tackle George Fant (74) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) and cornerback D.J. James (29) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback D.J. James (29) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback D.J. James (29) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and wide receiver Dee Williams (33) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Jack Westover (89) and safety Marquise Blair (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry (85) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks Legend Kam Chancellor practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) and guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Carlton Johnson (37) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (50) and running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (50) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) and cornerback Artie Burns (23) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23) and wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (50) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Blake Lynch (40) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kairee Robinson (35) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry (85) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 5, 2024.
