Even on an unusually-hot day for the Seattle area, Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson was all smiles. Following Sunday's walkthrough, Parkinson discussed his weight gain over the offseason and what he's been doing to get in better shape both mentally and physically.

Colby Parkinson came into Stanford University a 230-pound undersized tight end. Over the years, Parkinson developed, filling out his 6-foot-7 frame. But over the last few months of the offseason, Parkinson has taken his workout regime and diet to another level.

"I'm 260 now," said Parkinson, who says he's been "eating everything," increasing his daily calorie intake to between 3,000-5,000.

"Eating a lot," he added. "In the offseason, I worked out with some of my buddies from Stanford and actually did a lot of O-line lifts. So, I got a little bulkier and I feel great at this weight and feel like I'm moving well."

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has noticed the change in Parkinson and likes what he is seeing in camp so far.

"One of the bigger surprises is that Colby Parkinson is just better," Carroll said. "He's just better. He's physically rounded his body out. He's been working really hard on his strength stuff, but now it's become part of his movement and his power coming off of the line of scrimmage. He's blocking well."

In terms of diet, Parkinson is focused on gains rather than just chopping his grocery list in half.

"Just everything," he said. "There's no specific diet for me. It's just as much as I can eat. Obviously, healthier stuff, but a bunch of calories because I burn pretty fast."

While the team went through a light walkthrough Sunday without pads or helmets, Parkinson can feel the difference with the added weight when the pads come on.

"I feel a lot more confident this year, a lot stronger. I'm confident in my steps, in the run game footwork-wise. The extra strength has definitely helped as well."

Parkinson participated in 14 contests in 2021 after dealing with nagging injuries as a rookie, going on the non-football injury list for a portion of his rookie year.

This offseason, Parkinson connected with quarterback Drew Lock shortly after Lock was acquired in the trade with the Denver Broncos for Russell Wilson. The duo found time to get some work in together to build chemistry.

"Not before OTAs, but in the break between OTAs and camp, we were able to get some work in," he said. "We were actually at UW. So, local."

Parkinson discussed how the work in the offseason is paying off now as the team prepares for the start of the preseason.

"There was definitely a lot of things that you need to iron out as a quarterback, receiver, tight end combo. So, we were able to do a lot of that in the offseason. I think we clicked well so far this camp."

With Parkinson's new wave of confidence and extra strength, it'll be worth keeping an eye on his continued development during the 2022 NFL season.