What new Seahawks linebacker Michael Barrett said about Mike Macdonald at the NFL Combine

The Seattle Seahawks made another trade yesterday, just a couple weeks removed from dealing center Nick Harris back to the Cleveland Browns . This time general manager John Schneider traded from a point of strength to shore up one of the weaker position groups on the roster. Specifically, Seattle sent cornerback Michael Jackson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for rookie linebacker Michael Barrett out of Michigan.

Barrett was unlikely to make Carolina's initial 53-man roster this year thanks to their depth at linebacker - especially standout rookie Trevin Wallace - who may push for a starting spot in Year 1. However, that doesn't mean Barrett offers no real value for Seattle.

For one thing, the Seahawks are light at linebacker right now with projected starter Jerome Baker still working his way back from a hamstring issue.

Barrett is also coming off a strong preseason performance for the Panthers on Saturday night against the New York Jets. He posted the team's highest PFF grades both on defense and special teams.

Additionally, Barrett has previous experience working for head coach Mike Macdonald, who was Michigan's defensive coordinator when he was there during the 2021 season.

When he showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year, Barrett was asked by Seahawks beat reporters for his take on Macdonald. Here's what he had to say, per Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times .

Michael Barrett on Mike Macdonald

"Smart as hell, man. I feel like he just knows the game. He loves the game, the way he can teach the game, I feel like was really a big part of what helped our defense change at Michigan when he came in. He just kind of taught our defense and broke it down into simpler terms for all of us to kind of catch it and play fast. I just feel like he's just that guy who just knows. He just has it in him and it feels like they are definitely getting a great head coach for sure."

Barrett went on to win a national title last season under head coach Jim Harbaugh, then Carolina picked him in the seventh round of the draft.

For now it's difficult to project where Barrett belongs on the depth chart at linebacker, which will be in flux over the next several days as roster cuts come in. Our best guess is he's behind Tyrel Dodson and Jon Rhattigan at the middle linebacker spot.

In his first year Barrett will likely see the field mostly on special teams. In the long run the best-case scenario is the Seahawks have found a seventh-round steal here who could develop into a dependable long-term starter as an inside linebacker opposite fellow rookie Tyrice Knight.