Mike Macdonald says Seahawks had 'a foundational first game'

During the 2024 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks had a rather “meat and potatoes” style draft. It was not a flashy affair, but a foundational one. Seattle spent all but two of their draft picks on offensive or defensive front players… aka, two of the biggest weaknesses on the team.

Well, fast foward to the first preseason game, and the Seahawks turned that foundational draft into a foundational win, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. In the first ever Seattle game coached by Macdonald, the Seahawks grinded out a solid 16-3 victory. Like many preseason games, it may not have been the most memorable affair, but there was plenty to be thrilled about from the first overall win in Macdonald’s tenure.

“A great first start,” Macdonald declared. “Just part of the mentality, the focus that we had, the intent, it felt like the guys played really hard. Felt like they were focused. It’s the first game, the first time doing all the operating stuff for real… this is something we want to build on.”

Seattle controlled the ball the entire game, dominating the Chargers 39:09 to LA’s 20:51. The Seahawks defense held Jim Harbaugh’s squad in check, keeping them contained to only 21 total yards on their first six possessions, and never getting closer than Seattle’s 17-yard line.

On the ground, the Seahawks rushed for 156 yards on 39 carries while limiting the Chargers to 77 on 18 carries as a team. LA did not have much more success through the air, only passing for 133 yards as a team.

Seattle suffocated the Chargers. They held the ball, kept their defense fresh, and sucked up the clock unlike anything we have seen in recent memory from the Seahawks. It may have been only a preseason game, but Coach Macdonald is right. This was the kind of foundation we want to be built in Seattle.

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