NFL expert names Seahawks among teams with most to figure out at training camp

The Seattle Seahawks have totally remade their linebacker room and overhauled their safety unit this offseason. They also upgraded their defensive line and replaced one big-armed backup quarterback with another. While general manager John Schneider was busy reshaping the roster, the greatest change happened on the sidelines.

In January the franchise made a shocking move to fire long-time head coach Pete Carroll, who had held that position the last 14 years and was far more successful than any other coach in team history. They have replaced him with former Ravens and Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, considered by some analysts to be among the greatest defensive minds in the sport today.

While expectations are high, Macdonald has a tough act to follow and there are always some hiccups when a team makes this kind of change at the top. As such, the Seahawks have been named by Vinnie Iyer at The Sporting News as one of the five NFL teams that have the most to figure out at training camp this year.

"The Seahawks also are making a dramatic coaching change from long-time fixture Pete Carroll, staying defensive-minded but going much more youthful in 37-year-old Mike Macdonald. They hired him away from the Ravens and went to college to land former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The personnel moves were limited, but adhering to refreshed philosophies and schemes will be challenging enough."

The biggest difference between Macdonald and Carroll is likely to be a philosophical one. While Carroll wanted his players as amped up as possible to get them performing at their highest level, by all accounts Macdonald is a bit more traditional and is more likely to promote a disciplined approach. In theory, that should help Seattle cut down on the penalty problem that's been an issue the last few years. The Seahawks lost 884 total yards to penalties in 2022 and another 954 yards last season.

While Macdonald may be more old school than Carroll when it comes to discipline, he should be far more forward thinking when it comes to the Xs and Os. Seattle's defense is expected to be right on the cutting edge as far as schematic trends go, and fans should expect the same from Ryan Grubb's playbook on the other side of the ball.

If all goes well and no major pieces are injured, this team that has fallen short of their full potential the last couple of years should at least be able to break through with their first 10-win season since 2020.