Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton feels ‘better prepared’ for starting role in second year
This isn’t the first time Cody Barton has suddenly jumped into a starting role on the Seahawks’ defense.
Last season as a rookie, he made four starts — two late in the regular season, and two more in the playoffs — and ended the season as Seattle’s strongside linebacker after Mychal Kendricks tore his ACL.
Barton made his first start of this season Sunday in the Seahawks’ 31-23 win over Miami, and with first-round pick Jordyn Brooks still likely out with a knee injury, would be in line to start again this week against the Vikings.
The starting role isn’t new for Barton, but he said Wednesday on a Zoom call with reporters he feels “a lot better prepared” for it in his second season with Seattle.
“Last year, it was a long season, and out of nowhere I’m starting,” he said. “ … Having that experience going into this year helps a lot. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Barton, Seattle’s third-round pick out of Utah in 2019, primarily played special teams his rookie season, but gradually got more involved on defense before taking over for Kendricks, impressing the Seahawks with his versatility.
He started this season as a defensive backup, but after Bruce Irvin’s season-ending knee injury, and with Brooks still dealing with his knee issue, Barton should remain part of Seattle’s starting trio against Minnesota alongside Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright.
With Wright moving away from his usual role to strongside linebacker in place of Irvin, Barton played at weakside linebacker for his 24 snaps in Seattle’s base defense against the Dolphins, in the spot Brooks was projected to play before he was injured in his first start against Dallas in Week 3.
Barton had some miscues in his first start, but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday the 23-year-old “just needs to settle in and zero in and he’ll do fine.”
“I wasn’t super pleased with it,” Barton said, assessing his play against Miami. “But at the same time, the past is the past, so I’m just looking forward to the next opportunity.”
“Cody got involved with some good stuff,” Carroll said. “Missed a couple opportunities. Played the most he’s played all season, which was good for him to get going. I would expect that he’ll keep getting better and better as he gets his time.
“To be able to play the WILL (weakside) backer spot, which he has spent the most time in preparing, will really help him. We’re really counting on him to play well.”
Barton has shown the versatility to line up in both the WILL and SAM (strongside linebacker) spots, but said he prefers being off the ball.
“SAM you’re on the ball and it’s a big boys’ game,” he said. “I mean, you’re up there and holding the edge and SAM is different. But then WILL, you’re off of the ball, you can see a little more, and obviously being back.
“It was just two different perspectives on the field. SAM you’re right up in the mess of things, and it happens quick. WILL … you’re off the ball and you can see a little bit more. I like off the ball better.”
As Barton looks to gain more comfortability, he’s also taken cues from veterans like Wagner and Wright while studying opponents.
“Things I’ve learned from Bobby and K.J., just film leaves you clues, and teams are always going to adjust and change things up, but the film you watch gives you clues,” he said. “When you’re in the game … it gives you an educated anticipation. So, they’ve showed me how things leave clues and so you can anticipate things coming. There are tendency breakers, and they’re going to change things up, but that’s something that they’ve taught me, for sure.”
Barton said he is enjoying the process this season, with all of its ups and downs.
“If you think about it in the perspective of realizing you get to live your dream out, and you’re doing what you love to do, that’s the fun part about it,” he said. “Overall I’m having a blast. It’s awesome.”
Without a return date set for Brooks, Barton appears to be Seattle’s third regular at least immediately moving forward. The Seahawks did have Kendricks, who is a free agent and about nine months removed from knee surgery, in for a visit this week, but haven’t signed him. If Kendricks were to return, the Seahawks could explore reforming the starting trio of Wagner, Wright and Kendricks from the past two seasons. Kendricks started 17 games at strongside linebacker for Seattle in 2018 and 2019.
