Rival Scout ‘Expecting Big Things’ From Seahawks First-Year Head Coach Mike Macdonald

The Seattle Seahawks are one of eight teams that hired a new head coach this offseason and one of four teams whose new head coach has never held that job in the NFL before. Mike Macdonald was hired in Seattle after two seasons as defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens. Macdonald had been a defensive coach in Baltimore for six seasons before spending one season as defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan. In other words, Macdonald has worked under a coach named Harbaugh for the last nine years.

“Expecting big things from Mike Macdonald,” said a rival NFL scout. “He gets great reviews from Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh and has learned a ton to prepare to be a first-time head coach.”

These anonymous comments were made as part of the exclusive Seahawks scouting report in the Athlon Sports 2024 Preview magazine , which is now available on newsstands.

“See a lot of leadership qualities from him,” said the scout, who also praised his defensive knowledge. That will surely help a team that ranked 30 ^th in yards allowed last season, when Seattle finished 9-8, falling short of the postseason in Pete Carroll’s 14 ^th and final season.

There is talent to work with on Seattle’s defense. The front line features veteran Leonard Williams, and the scout expects Seattle’s first-round pick this year to fit right in.

“Drafting Byron Murphy II gives the Seahawks the kind of impact interior defensive lineman everyone wants on their roster,” he said.

Other standouts on the Seahawks defense are cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Riq Wooten. The scout, speaking anonymously, also likes a linebacker he thinks can beak out in 2024.

“Not a big name, but Uchenna Nwosu can go,” he said. “He’s full-tilt out there chasing quarterbacks down.”

Offensively, the Seahawks will continue to lean on veteran quarterback Geno Smith, entering his third season as the team’s full-time starter.

“Running it back with Geno Smith isn’t a bad idea,” the scout said. “He is still a really accurate, sound quarterback.”

Smith has a talented wide receiver trio in DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett. With opponents focused on the passing game and the offensive line showing improvement, the scout also thinks that could be good news for running back Kenneth Walker III.

“Walker’s tackle-breaking is special,” he said. “Amazing second effort and determination.”

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