The Seattle Seahawks have a rich tradition of nurturing raw talent into high-performance pros, especially when it comes to undrafted free agents, under-the-radar rookies, and developing linemen who fit into a hard-nosed, gritty culture. Grey Zabel, a promising young offensive lineman with intriguing versatility and upside, represents a new chapter in this tradition. For Zabel to reach his full potential, his development depends not only on coaching and system fit but also on the veterans around him — veterans who will shape his mentality, habits, and readiness for the next level. In Seattle, a place where culture matters just as much as playbook mastery, the best vets to come after Zabel’s position in the pecking order might actually be the ones who help elevate his game the most.
Grey Zabel is not a household name. He arrived in the NFL with the typical anonymity of a developmental lineman, but that’s not to say he’s without merit. The Seahawks didn’t bring him in to fill a roster spot — they brought him in because they believe in his long-term value. Standing at 6-foot-5 and tipping the scale near 305 pounds, Zabel combines good movement skills with the strength needed to anchor in pass protection. He’s not a finished product, and no one expects him to be, but what the Seahawks have seen in him is a moldable talent with the drive to improve. That’s where the role of key veterans becomes crucial.
Seattle’s offensive line room has long been a mix of youth and experience. In recent seasons, they’ve relied on veterans not just to plug immediate holes but also to mentor the next man up. For someone like Zabel, the presence of seasoned players who understand the expectations, pressures, and demands of NFL life can be a lifeline. While fans typically focus on talent battles and depth chart projections, the behind-the-scenes mentorship is often where real growth happens. For Zabel, being in a room that includes players like Laken Tomlinson and possibly even returning veterans such as Evan Brown or Damien Lewis could provide immense value. These are not just players who’ve been around the league — they’re professionals who understand the grind.
Laken Tomlinson, for instance, brings not only starting experience at guard but also a reputation as a durable and intelligent player. His success hasn’t been built on freakish athleticism but on preparation, technique, and mental toughness — exactly the kind of attributes Zabel needs to internalize if he’s going to stick in the NFL. Tomlinson’s story of persistence and adaptation resonates with developmental linemen, and his leadership in the locker room has been praised throughout his career. If Zabel is observant, he’ll find in Tomlinson a blueprint for sustained success in the league.
Another critical component of Zabel’s development will be how well he responds to the pressure of competing with more established veterans. In many ways, the veterans coming after his spot — either in rotation or on the practice squad — will light a fire under him. And this is a good thing. Iron sharpens iron, and in Seattle, competition isn’t just a motto — it’s a requirement. Every snap in practice is an audition, every rep a résumé line. Zabel will need to show that he’s not just a camp body, not just a guy with potential, but someone who can take coaching, learn from mistakes, and bring intensity every day.
It’s worth noting that Seattle’s culture under Pete Carroll and now Mike Macdonald has always emphasized grit, resilience, and football IQ. The Seahawks don’t just develop players technically — they develop them mentally. And that’s an area where veteran mentorship makes a critical difference. The vets who come in — whether it’s at guard, center, or even swing tackle — are likely to be players with battle scars, men who’ve learned through experience what it takes to play this brutal game professionally. These are the kinds of vets who won’t hesitate to correct Zabel in the film room, challenge him on his sets, or push him in the weight room.
Evan Brown is another name that could loom large in Zabel’s journey. Brown has quietly built a respectable NFL career as a plug-and-play interior lineman. His experience at center and guard makes him a valuable asset not just to the roster but to younger players still learning the nuances of the game. Brown understands leverage, hand placement, and line calls — skills that are not taught overnight. His willingness to take on a mentorship role, even while fighting for his own spot, could help someone like Zabel transition from an overwhelmed rookie to a confident contributor.
What makes Zabel’s situation even more intriguing is the versatility he brings. He played both center and guard in college, which means he has the mental and physical tools to play multiple roles. That flexibility is something NFL teams covet, especially when it comes to building a sustainable offensive line that can withstand injuries and still perform. But with that versatility comes a steeper learning curve. Understanding protections from both the center’s perspective and the guard’s responsibilities requires deep football acumen. That’s another area where the right vets can accelerate his learning.
There’s also the intangible factor of belonging. Rookies often struggle not because they lack talent, but because they haven’t yet found their voice in the locker room or their place on the team. The best veterans aren’t just those who dominate on Sundays — they’re the ones who help young guys adjust to the league’s emotional and psychological toll. Travel, meetings, family pressure, finances, the daily mental grind — these are stressors that can derail young careers. The veteran who pulls Zabel aside, gives him advice, and leads by example might be doing more for his development than any assistant coach ever could.
The Seahawks’ history shows they know how to build linemen over time. J.R. Sweezy, for instance, was a defensive tackle converted to offensive guard who ended up starting for playoff teams. George Fant was a basketball player who became a competent NFL tackle. Damien Lewis, drafted in 2020, developed into a reliable starter with physicality and poise. None of them were stars on Day One. They grew into their roles because the Seahawks invested in them — and because they were surrounded by the right people.
If Seattle’s front office believes Zabel has that same potential, then it will be critical to ensure he has access to vets who don’t just want to survive in the NFL but want to help others thrive. That means bringing in high-character veterans who aren’t threatened by competition, who aren’t just looking to cash one more check, but who genuinely care about the next generation of Seahawks. These are often players who’ve experienced roster cuts, injury setbacks, or practice squad stints — players who understand the long road and want to pay it forward.
One might even argue that the most beneficial veterans for Zabel’s development are not necessarily Pro Bowlers but the grinders — the men who know what it’s like to claw for every snap. Because those are the players who understand what someone like Zabel is going through. They remember being overlooked. They remember the doubt. And they know that confidence isn’t given — it’s earned, daily. Having these kinds of veterans around will create a learning environment where Zabel isn’t just being told how to succeed; he’s being shown.
There’s also the coaching staff’s role in leveraging veteran leadership effectively. A good coaching staff knows how to create mentor-pupil dynamics organically, not by forcing players into relationships but by building mutual respect. If Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks staff can foster that kind of dynamic, they’ll increase the chances of Zabel sticking around long enough to tap into his potential. And in the trenches, potential is often unlocked more by repetition and accountability than by raw physical talent alone.
Zabel’s chances of becoming a mainstay on the Seahawks roster won’t hinge solely on preseason snaps or late-game appearances. His rise, if it happens, will be forged in practice reps against veterans who push him to be better, in the weight room conversations that keep his head on straight, and in the quiet guidance from players who’ve already walked the path. Those are the vets who will shape Grey Zabel’s story — not as threats to his career, but as necessary architects of his journey.
In the grand narrative of NFL development, stories like Grey Zabel’s often go underreported until they become success stories. But they are happening every day. A rookie steps into the film room, unsure of himself, only to be greeted by a vet who says, “You got this. Let’s go over it together.” A lineman blows a protection in practice, and instead of scolding, a veteran quietly explains what went wrong. These moments — not the game-winning touchdowns or primetime highlights — are what define the future of young players.
For Zabel, the best-case scenario is not just surviving training camp. It’s growing under the influence of men who’ve already endured the fire and emerged sharper. The best vets to come after Zabel aren’t just competition — they are catalysts. If Zabel has the humility to listen, the discipline to apply what he learns, and the determination to keep climbing, he could emerge from this developmental phase with not only a roster spot but the foundation for a real NFL career.
Seattle has always been a place where overlooked players can rewrite their destinies. If Zabel is to be next in that lineage, it won’t happen in isolation. It’ll happen because the right veterans pushed, challenged, and believed in him — not to replace them, but to continue what they started. In the end, that’s how legacies are built in this league. One rep at a time. One lesson at a time. One veteran at a time.