Seahawks’ Rapid Rebuild Under Mike Macdonald Has Turned a Projected Reset Into a Contender in Two Seasons

Two years after the Seattle Seahawks appeared headed for a prolonged transition following the departure of longtime head coach Pete Carroll, the franchise has undergone one of the NFL’s most rapid and comprehensive rebuilds. Under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider, Seattle has produced one of the league’s most balanced rosters, pairing a top-tier defense with an explosive offense while emerging as one of the NFC’s strongest teams midway through the 2025 season.

Seattle entered 2023 with questions surrounding both its identity and long-term direction. The team finished 9–8 in back-to-back seasons and ranked 25th in scoring defense, an uncharacteristic position for a franchise formerly defined by dominance during the “Legion of Boom” era. The aging core and inconsistent play suggested the need for substantial change.

The organization made its most consequential decision in January 2024, parting ways with Carroll after 14 seasons. Carroll departed as the most successful coach in team history, having delivered a Super Bowl victory, a second appearance, and 10 playoff berths. His successor, Mike Macdonald, arrived with a reputation as one of football’s brightest defensive minds after coordinating the league’s best scoring defense with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

A Cultural Reset and an Overhaul of Standards

Macdonald’s first priority was establishing a new standard of conditioning, discipline and accountability. He imported Baltimore’s famously demanding conditioning test and made clear that players who failed would begin training camp on the non-football injury list. Early in camp, several players were held out, signaling a shift in expectations.

Those who worked under Carroll described a collaborative environment built on trust and energy. Macdonald maintained an emphasis on communication but paired it with stricter requirements and a more demanding tempo in practices. Players quickly recognized the shift. The new head coach insisted that rebuilding Seattle’s defense required not only personnel changes but also structural and cultural adjustments.

Early Roster Decisions and a Defensive Makeover

Seattle began reshaping its roster by parting ways with several established defensive veterans. Pro Bowl safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs were released, freeing cap space that allowed the team to retain veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams on a three-year, $64.5 million contract. Longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner and 2020 first-round pick Jordyn Brooks also departed, underscoring the franchise’s commitment to youth and future flexibility.

On offense, guard Damien Lewis left in free agency, part of a broader effort to stabilize the salary cap and acquire compensatory draft picks.

Despite public concerns about a looming rebuild, Seattle’s roster already included an emerging young core. The trades that sent Russell Wilson to Denver in 2022 had yielded substantial draft capital, resulting in the arrivals of cornerback Devon Witherspoon, pass rusher Boye Mafe, tackle Charles Cross, and edge defender Derick Hall. Macdonald and Schneider viewed these pieces as foundational.

The 2024 draft added another layer. Seattle selected defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the 16th overall pick. Murphy, viewed by many analysts as the best defensive tackle in the class, brought explosiveness and versatility to the interior defensive line. Fourth-round linebacker Tyrese Knight also emerged quickly, contributing 88 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a rookie and becoming a key part of the defense by Year 2.

The 2024 season began with promise. Seattle opened 3–0 behind strong performances from quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf. However, severe run-defense struggles emerged between Weeks 4 and 6, culminating in 179 rushing yards allowed per game over that stretch. A 36–24 loss to San Francisco exposed structural issues, and Seattle fell to 4–5 entering the bye week.

Macdonald used the midseason break to recalibrate. The team won six of its final eight games to finish 10–7—their first double-digit win season since 2020—though they narrowly missed the playoffs. The season nonetheless offered optimism. The defense climbed from 25th to 12th in scoring, while second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerged as the offense’s most productive weapon with 1,130 yards.

A Bold, Confident 2025 Offseason

The 2025 offseason marked the turning point of Seattle’s rebuild. Schneider made two major decisions that raised skepticism initially but now appear instrumental in the team’s ascent.

First, the Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. Smith had delivered three consecutive strong seasons, but the franchise was unwilling to allocate a larger contract for a quarterback entering his mid-30s.

Second, the Seahawks dealt DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round pick. Metcalf had been the team’s most recognizable offensive player and one of the league’s premier physical receivers.

Both moves were met with concern. Removing the starting quarterback and top receiver from a team aiming to contend appeared counterintuitive.

Seattle, however, had a plan: bet on Sam Darnold and fully elevate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Darnold, signed to a three-year deal after a resurgence in Minnesota, provided a younger and more cost-effective option at quarterback. Smith-Njigba, who had shown WR1 traits throughout 2024, became the clear focal point of the passing game.

Seattle supplemented these moves with strategic acquisitions. Cooper Kupp joined the receiving corps to provide veteran stability and an elite slot presence. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence arrived on a short-term contract to add experience and production off the edge.

In free agency, the Seahawks retained key defensive figures, including linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive tackle Jarran Reed, both of whom signed multi-year extensions.

The 2025 draft rounded out the roster. First-round guard Gray Zabel strengthened the interior offensive line. Tight end Elijah Ayolowo, wide receiver Tory Horton, fullback Robbie Utes, and safety Nick Emmanwori added role-specific versatility. Emmanwori, with his hybrid linebacker-safety physique, was viewed as a potential analogue to Kyle Hamilton, the do-everything defender Macdonald maximized in Baltimore.

A 2025 Season Defined by Balance and Efficiency

Through 10 weeks of the 2025 season, Seattle stands at 7–2 atop the NFC West, supported by both a top-five scoring offense and scoring defense. The team ranks third in the NFL in points per game (30.6) and fifth in points allowed (19.1), making them one of the league’s most balanced rosters.

Defensively, Seattle has produced 32 sacks—tied for second-most in the league—and nine interceptions. No single player dominates the stat sheet; instead, production is spread across the front seven and secondary, reflecting Macdonald’s schematic emphasis on unpredictability and depth.

On offense, Darnold has been among the league’s most efficient quarterbacks, throwing for 2,262 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions, with a completion rate of 71% and the NFL’s third-highest passer rating (116.5). Smith-Njigba leads the league with 1,041 receiving yards, more than 200 ahead of the next closest player. Seattle also ranks first in yards per pass attempt at 9.8.

Rashid Shaheed, acquired at the trade deadline, adds a vertical element to an offense already equipped with size (Ayolowo), experience (Kupp) and secondary playmaking (Horton). The running game ranks 17th in yardage but is widely viewed as having untapped potential.

A Rebuild Completed Ahead of Schedule

In just two years, the Seahawks have transformed from a franchise navigating an aging identity into one of the NFL’s most complete teams. With a championship-level defense, an offense built around efficient quarterback play and a rising star in Smith-Njigba, Seattle has reemerged as a contender faster than most expected.

Many teams begin rebuilds only to spend years in transition. Seattle accelerated the process, reshaped the roster, and redefined its culture under a new head coach.

Whether the Seahawks can maintain their current pace and remain in the NFC’s upper tier remains to be seen. But their trajectory suggests that they are positioned to contend not only this season, but for several years to come.