Pritchett shines in debut as Seahawks’ No. 3 cornerback

With nearly every key contributor returning from their Super Bowl-winning team, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t have many starting or rotational position battles in training camp this summer.

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One of the few was at the No. 3 cornerback spot, which was up for grabs after Riq Woolen’s free agency departure.

Nehemiah Pritchett emerged from that competition to get the nod in Wednesday night’s season opener. And he made the most of the opportunity, recording an interception and a pass breakup in Seattle’s 13-10 season-opening win over the New England Patriots.

“Nehemiah Pritchett played a really good football game,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said.

Tipped and intercepted by Nehemiah Pritchett!

NEvsSEA on NBC/Peacock
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MbMdmJBzfE

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2026

Early in the second half, Pritchett broke up a third-down slant pass with textbook coverage against three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown.

In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, after safety Rodney Thomas II knocked a deep sideline pass into the air, Pritchett corralled it for a juggling interception that helped spark Seattle’s comeback. It was the first interception of his three-year career.

Pritchett provided strong coverage throughout, allowing just three catches for 25 yards on five targets, according to Pro Football Focus. He also made six tackles.

“He had some great tackles,” Macdonald said. “Our whole secondary did.”

Pritchett, a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, spent his first two seasons as a reserve cornerback/special teamer. In training camp, he won the initial CB3 job over veteran Noah Igbinoghene, who Seattle released during roster cutdowns.

Pritchett may still have to fend off several more challengers, though.

The Seahawks recently signed former two-time Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs, who is aiming to resurrect a career that’s been derailed by knee injuries. He’s currently on Seattle’s practice squad, but could compete for playing time as he ramps up.

Rookie third-round pick Julian Neal, who was expected to battle for the CB3 role before missing most of camp with a quad injury, has returned to practice.

The Seahawks swung an Aug. 30 trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for undrafted rookie cornerback Avery Smith, who reportedly was a standout in camp.

Seattle also signed former first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold, who faces eight felony charges and was placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list as his legal proceedings unfold. It’s unclear if and when he could factor in this season, but he remains a potential option down the road.

In short, there are still lots of moving parts in the Seahawks’ cornerback room behind entrenched starters Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe.

But on Wednesday night, Pritchett made a strong first impression in his new role.

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