Seattle Seahawks Build Team Bonds Over Offseason Workouts

SAN FRANCISCO — What began as a simple idea for a quarterback to practice with a few receivers in sunny Southern California has transformed into a significant experience for a team still figuring itself out.

Seattle’s new duo opened their doors to teammates soon after Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp joined the Seahawks last summer, well before the 2025 season had settled in.

They invited all the wide receivers and tight ends to Los Angeles, where both reside in the offseason, for private throwing sessions at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village.

No cameras, no banners—just the grass, the routes, the sweat, and the time spent together.

The workout was just a chance for some throws, but it was what happened after that truly mattered.

As the day turned to night, football took a backseat to relationship-building. Instead of heading home, everyone reconvened at Kupp’s place.

“It was pretty cool,” Kupp said with a grin. “They all came back to my house, and we swam and played basketball. I think Sam won a lot of those games, but don’t ask him; he’ll probably bring it up way too much.”

Kupp paused to make a point.

“It was wonderful just to hang out, doing something that felt like work, but was really just spending time together. We even went out for dinner, which was special.”

Cody White, however, wants it on the record that Darnold wasn’t the star on the basketball court.

“I don’t know what Sam said,” White joked, “but I definitely shined in basketball. I played a lot and swam too—really just hung out with everyone.”

Regardless of the basketball debates, consensus was reached on one thing: the meal. 

“I can’t recall the name of the restaurant Sam took us to, but it was amazing. They had the best seafood,” White remarked.

This group included Kupp, Darnold, Jackson Smith-Njiba, Jake Bobo, John Reese Plumlee, Eric Saubert, AJ Varner, and White. Some were local; others flew in. Everyone made it.

While offseason throwing sessions aren’t unusual in the NFL, what stood out about this one was the atmosphere. Darnold, by his own acknowledgment, isn’t the most vocal leader.

“I’m not going to yell unless I have to be on the field,” Darnold said during OTAs in June. “But if that’s what it takes, I’ll do it. I’m just not the type to force myself to speak up.”

So, he didn’t push anything. He simply extended the invitation.

“We only have a month off in the summer,” Darnold explained. “I think it’s important to give people time off. I’m available. Feel free to come if you want.”

And they showed up.

Head coach Mike McDonald took note.

“I think it gave them a better start,” McDonald said. “That’s what truly counts.”

Bobo felt the impact personally. The former UCLA standout emphasized that the moments off the field hold value beyond the practice itself.

“The biggest thing was getting off the field,” Bobo noted. “Most of our time was spent inside the facility, so going to Los Angeles to kick back really bonded us in the receiving room.”

He added, “If it weren’t for those sessions, I don’t think our camaraderie would be as strong. This group is special. I’ve formed connections here unlike any I’ve had on past teams, which is rare in the NFL.”

The Seahawks are aiming for a championship, and that’s crucial.

But McDonald recognized something more significant.

“It speaks to the connection,” he noted. “We’re focused on being ’12 as One.’ This initiative wasn’t led by me; it was entirely driven by Sam, Coop, and the rest.”

Smith-Njiba remarked that Darnold’s intentions were clear from day one.

“As soon as he signed, he was already planning this trip,” said Smith-Njiba, a strong candidate for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award. “It was vital for us to come out of minicamp with a clear understanding of the offense and its execution.”

For Darnold, who has worn five different NFL jerseys, pulling off these sessions was harder than getting reps in.

“It was really beneficial to be at Coop’s house, connecting with everyone and learning their personalities,” Darnold stated. “Building trust is key, and we achieved a lot during those sessions.”

Now, several months later, the secret’s out. The routes will be sharper. Timing, cleaner. An unmistakable bond.

“That’s why we’re here today,” Smith-Njiba concluded.