Depth is Name of the Game for Seahawks, NFL in 2020

Unlike a normal season, at the drop of a hat, teams such as the Seahawks could be forced to replace a starter mere days before a game. It's the reality of playing a contact sport during the middle of a pandemic.

Backup quarterbacks are like car insurance - they're necessary, but you hope you never have to use them.

For the Seahawks, typically, the backup quarterback is the most boring, uneventful job in sports. This is thanks to Russell Wilson being the toughest, most reliable quarterback in the NFL. Since 2012, no quarterback has played more games than Wilson and only Philip Rivers has matched him.

This year presents a unique challenge with the coronavirus pandemic. The NFLPA reported earlier this week that 72 players tested positive for coronavirus, which is roughly 2.5 percent of rostered players. The union and the league are still working through protocols to ensure a safe start to the season as training camps are scheduled to begin on time next week. However, the situation is fluid. 

Wilson is still the toughest quarterback around, but what happens if the unthinkable happens and he tests positive for COVID-19 during the season? The virus doesn't care about who is the toughest, most reliable player in the NFL nor does it care that a football season is going on and Wilson is the most valuable player to any team in the league.

If such a terrible situation occurs, the Seahawks will be faced with the reality that they will have to play several games with one of Geno Smith or Anthony Gordon unless a deal is made for a signal caller elsewhere. Obviously, that seriously hinders Seattle's playoff chances.

However, this reality is not just unique to quarterbacks. At every single position, the Seahawks could all of a sudden be without their starter with little warning and if they are ill-prepared, they will be left scrambling to replace their starter with someone who is likely not as capable.

At some positions, this would not be a catastrophic occurrence, such as at running back. If Chris Carson went down with COVID-19, it likely would not end his season but that would mean Seattle must go on with Carlos Hyde as their feature running back until Rashaad Penny is healthy enough.

Along the offensive line, the tackle spot is particularly vulnerable. The right tackle slot is not settled, though it will likely be Brandon Shell. After him, Cedric Ogbuehi would be next in line, and it's worth noting the former first-round pick never scored better than a 67.- grade via Pro Football Focus in five NFL seasons.

If the Seahawks find themselves without B.J. Finney at center, they will be right back where they were last year after Justin Britt went down with an ACL injury with Joey Hunt filling in, which is not ideal.

Seattle has approximately 74 tight ends on the roster, so losing Greg Olsen or Will Dissly for a number of games would not cripple the offense, though it would still be unfortunate. And the team already may not have rookie Colby Parkinson for the start of the season after foot surgery last month.

With other positions, losing a starter suddenly is scary thought. The pass rush has been a constant spot of discussion during the offseason as a shallow, weak position on the roster. If the Seahawks were to lose Bruce Irvin or Benson Mayowa for a period of time, they would be relying on rookies like Darrell Taylor to pick up the slack after having virtually no offseason to learn the ropes in the NFL. 

Defensive tackle continues to be top heavy with a large gap between starters Jarran Reed and Poona Ford and the rest of the depth chart. If one of them is lost, the remaining tackles on the depth chart have played a total of 90 snaps in the NFL, all of which come from Bryan Mone. 

At cornerback, the situation is still very clouded with the ongoing legal troubles with Quinton Dunbar. If he is lost due to his entanglement with the law, the environment at cornerback is very fragile. There is a large chasm of talent between Dunbar, Shaquill Griffin, and Tre Flowers and the rest of the depth chart at corner. Any infections among cornerbacks would leave the secondary exposed.

The reality is that the pandemic may require Seattle to replace a key player at the drop of a hat, mere days before a big game. No one is exempt and no one is safe. This virus doesn't play favorites like the fans do. This is sports in 2020.