Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald acknowledges the frustration felt by fans after the team’s recent loss, which marks their fifth defeat in the last six games. He shares in that frustration, perhaps more than most, but remains optimistic about the future. Macdonald believes that with a productive bye week, his coaching staff and players can address mistakes from recent weeks while also building on the positive aspects that have shown up even in their losses.
“We’re on our way,” Macdonald said on Monday. “It’s not where we want to be, not where we expected to be, but I feel like we’re incredibly resilient. Every week, we’ve faced adversity, a lot of it self-inflicted. Great teams eliminate those mistakes. We’re moving forward, but we’re not moving fast enough. It’s up to us as coaches to fix that, clarify things for the players, and approach the situation with an open mind. We need to assess everything honestly and get back to work.”
Macdonald stressed that all aspects of the team’s performance—whether it’s personnel, strategy, or coaching methods—are under consideration for improvement.
“We have a real opportunity this week to make the most of this bye,” he said. “Our players will get the chance to recover, and as coaches, we need to refine our approach. We’re working on streamlining our coaching and have to come up with a solid plan for next week so we can hit the ground running. The second half of the season is crucial for us. We need better results, and that starts now.”
When it comes to potential changes, Macdonald is open to any adjustments necessary to get things on track, including shifts in the lineup or tweaks to their practices.
“Everything’s on the table,” he explained. “We’re doing some good things, but we need to be thorough and honest in our evaluation, looking at every detail to make sure we’re not missing anything.”
While in-season personnel changes are limited, Macdonald has already demonstrated a willingness to make adjustments to the starting lineup. The upcoming bye week could provide the opportunity to make further moves. Players like safety Coby Bryant, cornerback Josh Jobe, and wide receiver Cody White—who have all earned increased roles through strong practice performances—are prime examples of this approach. White, in particular, stood out in the team’s most recent game, blocking a punt and contributing significantly as a receiver.
“Guys like Cody, Coby, and Josh have been fantastic in practice, and it’s paying off,” Macdonald said. “Cody’s someone who has earned his spot through consistent hard work, and he made a real impact last week. That’s the kind of player we want to see.”
For Macdonald, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a player earn a role through hard work, and he’s eager to see more players challenge for bigger responsibilities as the season progresses.
“The best part of coaching is seeing players grow,” he said. “When hard work pays off and players do things they couldn’t do before, that’s what hooks you. Cody’s a prime example of a guy who’s made a difference for us, and we need more players like that.”
One bright spot for the Seahawks has been the improvement of their defense, particularly in their recent game against the Rams. Seattle’s run defense, which had been struggling, allowed just 68 yards and a 2.8 yards-per-carry average. This helped the Seahawks force seven three-and-outs—tied for the most by an opponent this season—and hold the Rams to just a 3-for-13 mark on third downs. Seattle now leads the NFL with 31 three-and-outs forced this season, a stat that reflects significant defensive progress.
Macdonald sees these defensive strides as a sign of where the team is headed. “We’ve earned a lot of the criticism we’ve received defensively, but the players are improving. When you string together good practices and good weeks, the confidence builds, and you start seeing results on Sundays. That’s the direction we’re headed. Offensively, the curve may not be the same, but the mentality and approach are similar. We’re pushing forward in all three phases, and it’s good to see us take a step in the right direction.”
In sum, Macdonald is focused on making necessary changes, improving in all areas, and using the bye week as an opportunity to build momentum for the second half of the season.
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