Ryan Neal, Seattle Seahawks.
In the last two weeks,12’s might think they were experiencing deja vu. It almost looks like Kam Chancellor is back for the Seattle Seahawks. Hopefully, he’ll be able to bring back the Legion of Boom as well.
Ok, so Chancellor isn’t really back for the Seahawks but is kind of back. “Baby KamKam” Ryan Neal is the current starting safety, in place of Jamal Adams. When the season began, Seattle expected safeties Adams and Quandre Diggs would wreak havoc in the secondary. Flying around like Earl Thomas and Chancellor used to do. Now Neal has assumed the mantle.
Adams left the Dallas game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. With Marquise Blair out for the year, Neal got the chance to make an impact that he’s waited for.
“Next man up” is the motto of every NFL team. It applies to Seattle this year due to the many injuries they’ve sustained in 2020. So far, Neal made the most of his opportunity, and he is shining.
Playing in his first game this year after Adams got hurt, he made a game-ending interception in the end zone. The following week in Miami, Neal made his first career start and pulled down another interception. He also laid massive Kam Chancellor-esque hits on a Miami receivers Devante Parker and Mike Gesecki. Pete Carroll and John Schneider found a gem in Baby KamKam.
Neal went to college at Southern Illinois, where he played both cornerback and free safety. He went undrafted in 2018 and signed as a UFA with the Philadelphia Eagles but was waived during training camp in August. The following week he signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Unfortunately, Neal didn’t make Atlanta’s 53 man roster either but was signed to the team’s practice squad. In December 2018, he made his NFL debut on special teams. The following season Neal was waived as one of the Falcons final cuts. Bet they wish they
still had him.
One month later, he signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Can you say jackpot! Earning a promotion to the active roster in December. He was resigned by Seattle and began the 2020 season once again on the practice squad. You read the rest already.
Moving forward, Neal’s ability to play several positions will be crucial for the Seahawks. When the starters are healthy and available, Neal won’t be one. Instead, he can give Seattle defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr some ability to be creative with his defensive packages. With Neal, the Seahawks can move Adams and Quandre Diggs around without losing anything in the team’s safety play.
If the last name Neal sounds recognizable, it’s because it is. Ryan Neal is the younger brother of former Green Bay Packers linebacker Mike Neal. Between older brother Mike and Chancellor providing their help, insight, and input in Ryan’s growth and development, the sky is the limit for Ryan.