Cody Thompson confident heading into Seahawks camp

Cody Thompson feels like he's ready for a breakthrough season with the Seattle Seahawks. Thompson, a Huron High School and University of Toledo graduate, is entering his fourth season in the NFL and he's fighting for a spot on Seattle's 53-man roster. Seahawks players reported to training camp in Renton, Washington, on Wednesday. Thompson played in five games for the Seahawks last year, but he thinks he has more to give. "This year is the best I've felt physically and mentally," Thompson said last week. "I know the whole playbook going into camp and that helps a lot. I think this is the year to make the jump to the full-time active roster. I know there will be good competition and I'll have to prove it." The highlight of Thompson's 2021 season came in Week 18 at Arizona when he recovered a mishandled punt on the final play of the third quarter in a tie game. Thompson was blocking a Cardinals tackle when the crowd reacted to the punter's mishap. "The only reason I knew something happened was I heard the crowd," Thompson said. "I came off my guy and it fell right into my lap. There was a (Cardinals player) right in front of me. I wish it would've been a scoop and score." Thompson grabbed the ball after teammate Travis Homer forced a fumble. Thompson had no time to make a move toward the end zone and was tackled at the Cardinals 10-yard line. "Everyone was jumping on me," he said of the celebration after the play. "It was a cool feeling." Seattle went on to upset the playoff-bound Cardinals, 38-30. Seattle finished the season 7-10 and iconic quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. Seattle's new quarterback could be Drew Lock or Geno Smith. Thompson was among a group of Seahawks receivers who worked out this offseason with Lock in Dallas. Leading into the 2022 season, Thompson has benefited from more reps with the Seahawks. "I thought I had a good minicamp," he said. "It was nice having it again; we hadn't had it in two years and it was good to take advantage of the reps." Seattle's new receivers coach, Sanjay Lal, talked up Thompson after minicamp. "He's had the best spring of any receiver, and a lot of the things I was saying about DK (Metcalf) about being diligent, taking practice to the team reps, he's done that," Lal said. Thompson, who began his NFL career by signing as an undrafted free agent with Kansas City in 2019, got 47 snaps on special teams with the Seahawks last year. After spending his first two years of pro ball exclusively on practice squads, the promotion checked a huge box in his development. "It was exciting, definitely something I've been preparing for," he said. "It's nice to get some action and contribute some, too. I'm showing my abilities and letting the chips fall where they may. I know I have to ability to play in this league." Thompson, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver, will get his chance to make his case for a roster spot in the three-game preseason. Seattle's first preseason game is August 13 in Pittsburgh. The Seahawks have a good veteran group of receivers led by Metcalf, who is lobbying hard for a new contract, and Tyler Lockett. It remains to be seen whether Seattle will keep five or six receivers for its regular-season opener. Thompson, 26, lives with teammate Penny Hart when he's in Seattle. Both are wide receivers and battling each other for playing time. "We're teammates and best friends," Thompson said. "We know there are limited roster spots, but we push each other. We'll be best friends till the day I die." Thompson did some traveling on long weekends during OTAs at the Seahawks' facility in suburban Renton. He made trips to Hawaii, Denver, Mexico and Austin, Texas. He said he's contemplating moving to a warmer climate after this season. Thompson spent much of the summer in Huron, reconnecting with friends and family and trying to improve his golf game. "It's nice to get home and see familiar faces of people who are supporting me," he said. "Huron has given me a lot and hopefully I can give back a lot someday."