Seahawks guard is far from only Rams opponent vexed by Kobie Turner

Seahawks guard Grey Zabel spoke for countless offensive linemen across the league when he appeared on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast to lament his woes facing Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner. The 2025 first-round pick is far from alone. According to ESPN, Turner's 14 percent pass-rush win rate ranked fifth among interior defenders.

The only DTs ahead of him? Jeffery Simmons, Chris Jones, Calais Campbell, and Quinnen Williams, with 21 Pro Bowls between them.

For a third time in three NFL seasons, Turner's ferocity produced seven-plus sacks and eight-plus tackles for loss. He ranked sixth in both overall and pass-rush PFF grade out of 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His 55 total pressures ranked fifth. Zabel said fondly of Turner:

"I know for a fact, 10 times out of 10, I would rather block a bigger, stronger, slower guy than some short, stocky, quick dude who can go side to side in the blink of a second. … Kobie Turner is like my Kryptonite right now. Like, I don't know what it is. He's just got my number. He just works me every single game."

In other words, Zabel's experience is hardly unique for an o-lineman tasked with silencing The Conductor.

Zabel respects Turner as friendly menace 

Being conferred with Kryptonite status is high praise for any player, and it's clear from Zabel's interview that he respects Turner immensely.

"As much as you want to hate the Rams, they're all really good dudes across the board," the Seahawks sophomore admitted. "Kobie, for instance, he's out there and he just smiles. He plays the game for the love of the game, no question about it."

And it's true. For all Turner's on-field contributions, he is just as important to the Rams' locker room and team morale, a leader on the gridiron and off it. Hearing Zabel talk, you'd think Turner is many years his senior, but he turned pro just two drafts earlier, the 89th pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest.

Not only does Turner inspire respect and camaraderie among his teammates, he has the same effect on opponents, even as he also inspires dread (if not necessarily in the bright-eyed Zabel):

"It was a sad deal because he got a little banged up and couldn't finish that NFC Championship Game. So the moment after the game was done, I just went and talked to him … how fun it is to compete against him. He is just an unbelievable guy … he's top-tier. He's what makes the game fun to play against defensive linemen."

Turner remains one of the most underrated interior defenders in the game. He routinely wreaks havoc even when beating his man does not result in a sack. Per PFF, his 40 hurries ranked second at the position, while Turner used his quickness and agility to put a hand on three passes (13th). 

Zabel is more familiar than most when it comes to matching up with Turner. Including the NFC title bout, the pair squared off three times last season. Granting good health, they will meet at least twice more in 2026. If the Rams extend or re-sign Turner by next offseason, which they would be foolish not to, that head-to-head rivalry should continue into the foreseeable future. 

Offensive linemen outside the NFC West will be rooting for that extension to happen. The less they have to see Turner on a yearly basis, the better. 

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