As he prepared for the 2020 NFL season, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider knew he needed to work on his offensive line. Right tackle was the most pressing issue, but both guard spots required some attention as well.
In 2019, Mike Iupati arrived from Arizona and locked down the left guard spot. He joined another vet, D.J. Fluker, who had been a serviceable right guard for a couple of seasons.
But Iupati was nearing the end of his career, and Fluker could never stay healthy long enough to be a reliable presence. The Hawks did have other options, like recent draftee Phil Haynes and journeyman vet Chance Warmack in camp, but no one inspired much confidence.