Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, one of several defensive standouts in the Seahawks' Week 12 win over the Cardinals, has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
It is the first Player of the Week award for Bryant in his three-year career, and the first for a Seahawks player this season.
Bryant, who has been a key piece of Seattle's defense since taking over a starting role last month, was part of a defensive effort that held the Cardinals to just a pair of field goals after they had scored 28 or more points in each of their previous three games. Bryant contributed six tackles to that effort, and most notably, he returned an interception 69-yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to help break open a close game.
"If the ball is in the air near him, I'm assuming he's coming down with it," head coach Mike Macdonald said. "That's a credit to him."
In his five starts this season, Bryant now has 32 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed, production that helped keep him in the starting lineup even with Rayshawn Jenkins, the starter for the first six games at that spot, returning from injury.
Sunday's performance was all the more sweet for Bryant because he didn't have the easiest path to get to a spot where he was starting and in a position to make the type of plays he did in that game. After a strong rookie season in which Bryant was Seattle's nickel cornerback, Bryant lost that job in 2023, with injuries sidelining him in camp and opening the door for first-round pick Devon Witherspoon to take over that role and thrive in it. Witherspoon's emergence in that role led to the Seahawks moving Bryant to safety, a switch he resisted at first, and due to injuries and a reduced role last season, he appeared in only eight games with two starts, playing 146 defensive snaps after playing 756 as a rookie. Bryant began this year in a backup role once again, but impressed coaches with his play on special teams and his work in practice, leading TO a role on defense in dime packages. Then when Jenkins was sidelined by injury, Bryant stepped into that starting spot and never looked back.
"I just give all credit to God," Bryant said after the game. "All that I've been through, I've always held my head down, and just keep working. I never doubted myself. My teammates believed in me. The coaches believed in me and just took full advantage of the opportunity."
And Bryant wasn't the only defensive standout for the Seahawks in Sunday's game. This award could have just as easily gone to defensive end Leonard Williams, who had 2.5 sacks, six tackles, three tackles for loss and a pass defensed.
Coaches, players and staff across the league will wear customized cleats in honor of causes that are important to them as part of 'My Cause My Cleats'. Check out the custom cleats that Seahawks players and staff will wear for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats' league-wide initiative.
Seahawks president Chuck Arnold is honoring the American Cancer Society for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on cancer research.
Seahawks Legend Cliff Avril is honoring Champions of Change for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on empowering underserved regions through the power of sport and teamwork.
Seahawks vice president of community & engagement Mario Bailey is honoring Everytown for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating awareness for gun violence.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) is honoring the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) is honoring Footprints of Fight for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to patients and families dealing with pediatric cancer.
Seahawks Lamar Campbell is honoring We Stutter for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support for those who deal with stutters and speech impediments.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) is honoring the Williams Syndrome Association for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating awareness and supporting those who deal with Williams Syndrome.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) is honoring NAMI-Mississippi for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on mental health awareness.
Seahawks tackle McClendon Curtis (66) is honoring the McClendon Curtis Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'.
The Seahawks dancers are honoring Solid Ground for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on homelessness prevention.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) is honoring the Fant Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on youth empowerment.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) is honoring Open Door Mission in Omaha, Nebraska for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing shelter and feeding the less fortunate.
Seahawks assistant special teams coach Devin Fitzsimmons is honoring Maryland Symphony Orchestra for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause honors his brother's love for the orchestra.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78) is honoring Warrior Rising for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on empowering U.S. military veterans and their families.
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) is honoring Humane Society for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on ending suffering for all animals.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) is honoring Gulfport Memorial Hospital NICU for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause supports the hospital that saved Hall's life during his birth.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) is honoring TABLE NC for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on delivering healthy food and nutrition education to youth in Orange County, NC.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) is honoring Headstrong for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on raising cancer awareness and prevention.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) is honoring Seattle Children's Autism Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on autism awareness.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) is honoring the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause supports youth empowerment.
Seahawks Legend Walter Jones is honoring the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on cancer research.
Seahawks offensive assistant Chuckie Keeton is honoring the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on empowering coaches and athletes.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) is honoring Mary's Place Seattle for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting and providing necessities to the less fortunate.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) is honoring Just1Mike for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on heart screening awareness and providing AED's to areas of need.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) is honoring the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing relief to the poor and marginalized.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is honoring the RYR-1 Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating support and awareness for those who suffer from RYR1-related diseases.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) is honoring the American Cancer Society and the Puget Sound Association of the Deaf for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. These causes focus on deaf empowerment and cancer research.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) is honoring Seattle Children's Autism Center for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on autism awareness.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) is honoring SOUND and Prison Fellowship for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. These causes support deaf empowerment and prison reform.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) is honoring the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to patients who suffer from DIPG.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) is honoring the Uchenna Nwosu Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on promoting education, health and wellness to sports minded individuals.
Seahawks offensive passing game coordinator Jake Peetz is honoring the Make-A-Wish Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting children with critical illnesses.
Seahawks running back coach Kennedy Polamalu is honoring the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to the less fortunate.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) is honoring Life Enrichment Group for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on providing support to youth and their families.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) is honoring the Randall Morris Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting the youth.
Seahawks president of football operations/general manager John Schneider is honoring Ben's Fund for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on autism awareness.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) is honoring the Little Warrior Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on cancer awareness.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) is honoring Extended Hands Inc. for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause supports Geno's mother's non profit organization that provides programs and services to empower the community.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) is honoring the Jed Foundation for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting mental health awareness.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) is honoring Uplifting Athletes for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. The cause focuses on rare disease support.
Seahawks head athletic trainer David Stricklin is honoring Heroes Homestead & NATA for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on supporting veterans and their families.
Seahawks coach Neiko Thorpe is honoring the Alzheimer's Association for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on researching and providing support to those who suffer from Alzheimer's.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is honoring Le Bonheur Children's Hospital & Everytown for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. These causes focuses on supporting a non profit and raising gun violence awareness.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) is honoring the American Cancer Society for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating awareness and supporting those who deal with breast cancer.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams (99) is honoring Water Mission for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on creating safe water solutions across the world.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) is honoring the Lupus Foundation of America for this year's 'My Cause My Cleats'. This cause focuses on lupus awareness and research.
