SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are making significant changes following their first season under head coach Mike Macdonald. Dissatisfaction with the team’s offensive balance led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, just one day after the Seahawks wrapped up their season with a 30-25 win over the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. This decision followed a season where the team ranked 28th in the league for rushing, despite quarterback Geno Smith setting new franchise passing records.
Macdonald expressed that while there were positive aspects to the season, his vision for the team’s offense diverged from Grubb’s approach. With a final record of 10-7, the Seahawks matched the Rams but fell short of claiming the NFC West title due to tiebreaker rules. However, this marks a modest improvement from the past two seasons under former coach Pete Carroll, who led the team to records of 9-8. Macdonald emphasized the importance of achieving double-digit wins for the team’s morale.
Despite missing the playoffs by just one game, Macdonald praised the team’s focus on their goals. The Seahawks had a season characterized by peaks and valleys, starting strong with three consecutive wins before grappling with five losses in six games due to defensive challenges. At one point, the Seahawks held the NFL’s 25th-ranked defense, significantly impacting their overall performance.
After taking a break in Week 10, the team shifted gears and won four straight games, momentarily securing first place in their division. Contributions from key players, including star defensive end Leonard Williams, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and newly acquired linebacker Ernest Jones IV, revitalized the defense. Unfortunately, successive home defeats to Green Bay and Minnesota ultimately thwarted their playoff aspirations.
In terms of individual performances, Geno Smith achieved a personal milestone, throwing for 4,320 yards and finishing with a completion rate of 70.4%. This impressive statistic places him among the ranks of NFL quarterbacks who have achieved a 70% completion rate. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerged as a standout player as well, tying the franchise record for receptions with 100. Williams recorded a career-high 11 sacks, while safety Julian Love reached a personal best by defensing 12 passes.
As they move forward, enhancing the offensive line stands out as a critical area for improvement during the offseason. Although second-year center Olu Oluwatimi performed commendably following veteran Connor Williams’ unexpected retirement, injuries and overall inefficiency among line players contributed to Smith being sacked 50 times, making it one of the highest totals in the league.
Complicating matters, Seattle is projected to exceed the salary cap by over $8 million in 2025, prompting tough decisions ahead. Tyler Lockett, who carries a cap hit of nearly $31 million next season, may face potential cuts if he cannot agree to a restructured contract, especially with Smith-Njigba emerging as a leading receiver. Alongside these pressing financial considerations, Macdonald’s next significant task will be identifying a new offensive coordinator who can establish a balanced attack, alleviating some of the burdens placed on the defensive squad.
