Seahawks S Bradley McDougald: ‘If Kam’s not able to play, obviously I’m ready to go’
Mar 15, 2018, 4:15 PM | Updated: 4:37 pm
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald knows next year's defense could have plenty of new faces. (Photo: Jessamyn McIntyre)
(Photo: Jessamyn McIntyre)
Now that he’s re-signed with the Seahawks, safety Bradley McDougald is ready to help his team get back to the postseason – though he knows there could be plenty of new faces playing around him on defense.
McDougald talked about re-signing with Seattle, the 2018 season, and his love for his blue French bulldogs during an interview with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny, Dave and Moore Thursday.
Safety Kam Chancellor’s future is up in the air while he recovers from a neck injury that sidelined him for the second half of last season. Meanwhile, cornerback Richard Sherman signed with the 49ers after he was released by Seattle, and the Seahawks are reportedly shopping Earl Thomas around in trade talks.
Is this the end of the Legion of Boom? For McDougald, that answer is complicated.
“I don’t know,” McDougald said. “I’m in between. I feel like I got there at the last bit of LOB. I respect it – it definitely changed the mindset of defense and how the game is played. But if those core guys are still there, I think it’s more a mindset of the defense. And it’s a whole camaraderie. It’s not one guy; it’s a group of guys. There are going to be new faces in there. But the passion and identity and the way the game’s being played is going to be the same. So that’s one thing I can guarantee.”
McDougald originally joined the Seahawks in March 2017 as a free agent. He initially served as backup to Pro Bowl starters Thomas and Chancellor, but by the end of the season had proven himself to be a versatile investment in the secondary. McDougald started in place of Thomas when the free safety missed two games with a hamstring injury, and he switched to start at strong safety when Chancellor suffered his season-ending neck injury in Week 10.
“After the season ended, (Seahawks general manager) John Schneider came to me and we met, and he was telling me how serious they were about me and getting me back,” McDougald said. “And he just kept his word, and I’m happy that it’s all over with now.”
With Chancellor’s future now uncertain, there’s a possibility McDougald could take over as the starter at strong safety. McDougald is ready for whatever this season holds.
“I would love to have him there,” McDougald said of his teammate. “I personally love Kam, he’s a great friend of mine. We spend time in and out of work (together). But if he’s not able to, obviously I’m ready to go. I’m ready to plug in and get to work, and let Seattle know we’re ready to get back on top.”
‘Dog-Father’
McDougald also became a grandfather last season – though it was to a trio of blue French bulldogs. McDougald kept one of the puppies and also owns the pups’ father.
When 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jim Moore jokingly asked McDougald whether he dressed up the dogs, his answer brought some laughs.
“Oh I definitely do,” McDougald said. “I actually follow a page on Instagram. There’s a big convention coming up and we’re going. I’m gonna dress up as well…
“There’s a big Frenchie following on Instagram.”
Is he the only NFL player in history to dress up this dogs?
“No, no not at all. And if I am, they need to wake up.”
Hear McDougald’s entire interview with Danny, Dave and Moore.
