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How Does Michael Barrett Fit into Seattle Seahawks Plans at LB?

Linking back up with Mike Macdonald after playing for him at Michigan, Michael Barrett could eventually be a candidate start at middle linebacker for the Seahawks.

Corbin K. Smith

Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett tackles Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during the first half of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett tackles Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during the first half of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Using their immense depth at cornerback to their advantage, the Seattle Seahawks bolstered their linebacker corps by acquiring rookie linebacker Michael Barrett from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for veteran defensive back Mike Jackson.

A seventh-round pick out of Michigan, Barrett will reunite with Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who served as his defensive coordinator in Ann Arbor in 2021. The two-time All-Big Ten selection served a key role for the Wolverines No. 1 ranked defense last season, helping them capture a National Championship title by beating Alabama and Washington in the College Football Playoff.

"It's a team decision to bring him in," Macdonald said after Thursday's practice. "Guys in Carolina spoke highly of him. Mike was very productive at Michigan obviously. We had a chance to evaluate him coming out [of college]. He was playing two years after we left to go back to Baltimore. Just excited to have him in here and he's got a great opportunity to come compete and earn himself a spot here for hopefully a while."

Joining a new-look linebacker corps that replaced Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks with free agents Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker this offseason, Macdonald indicated Barrett would start at middle linebacker and work behind Dodson and Jon Rhattigan. But looking beyond 2024, could he eventually be a starter alongside fellow rookie Tyrice Knight for the Seahawks?

On a new episode of Locked On Seahawks, host Corbin Smith breaks down Seattle's decision to send Jackson to Carolina for Barrett and why they decided to make the trade, dives into the franchise's future prospects with Barrett and Knight as potential cornerstones to build around in the middle of Macdonald's defense, and examines what he will be watching when Geno Smith and offensive starters see their first preseason action against Cleveland on Saturday night in the preseason finale at Lumen Field.

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Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.

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