The Seattle Seahawks have their next head coach, as the news broke Wednesday that the franchise plans to hire Mike Macdonald for the position. The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator will take over for longtime coach Pete Carroll after Seattle announced earlier this month that Carroll would move into a front-office role with the organization.
It’s the second-to-last head coaching gig to be filled this offseason as the Washington Commanders now have the final opening.
The Seahawks hope to have their long-term replacement at the pivotal position in Macdonald, who is the league’s youngest head coach at just 36 years old.
Mike Macdonald To Lead Seahawks
Macdonald headed to Seattle for a second interview Thursday, though it seems the team already had its mind made up and got the target it was after all along. He is reportedly set to sign a six-year contract with the franchise.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the franchise “was willing to wait for him if Baltimore made the Super Bowl.”
Macdonald became an intriguing head coaching target this cycle due to his prolific defense in Baltimore, both this year and in past seasons. The Ravens led the league in defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) at a whopping 45.5%, above the second-place San Francisco 49ers’ 39.4% mark and well out-pacing the rest of the NFL.
It’s a unit that was crucial to Baltimore’s success on the season. The Ravens went 13-4 in the regular season and earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed before falling 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Macdonald’s defensive prowess earned praise from many following the hire, including NFL analyst Robert Griffin III, who said it could bring the Seahawks back to their “Legion of Boom” days.
The @Seahawks will return to the “Legion of Boom” days on defense now that Mike Macdonald is their Head Coach.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 31, 2024
The “Legion of Boom” was a term in reference to Seattle’s vaunted defense when it reached two Super Bowls in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, winning one. Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, and Kam Chancellor were featured members of the team’s hard-hitting secondary that was key in its success and helped bring about the moniker.
Ravens defensive back Kyle Hamilton also had high praise for Macdonald just an hour before news broke of his hiring with Seattle.
“He’s super cerebral, really smart guy,” Hamilton said.
“Probably the smartest guy in the building. Don’t tell him I said that. He’s going to get everybody in the right spots, use everybody’s best abilities, and really just conform to what we do best as a defense and as a team. Great motivator, let’s the guys lead the room, just a bunch of great qualities.
“Whatever is coming in his future, he deserves it.”
“He’s super cerebral. Probably the smartest guy in the building. Don’t tell him I said that… Whatever is coming in his future, he deserves it.”
1 hour before news #Seahawks to hire Mike Macdonald as HC, Ravens Pro Bowl DB Kyle Hamilton told me what makes Macdonald special. pic.twitter.com/inKVcwWW4P
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 31, 2024
Another social media user pointed to Macdonald’s defense dominating in Baltimore’s meeting with the 49ers back in the regular season. The Ravens won the game 33-19, intercepting four of Brock Purdy’s passes and allowing just two touchdowns.
MORE: Why the Seattle Seahawks Hired Mike Macdonald
Highlight clips show just how out of sorts Baltimore had San Francisco at times, something Seahawks fans will hope to see plenty of in the coming years.
Mike MacDonald had the 49ers offense in hell 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/myXgrw13bX
— 🎟️ (@Plazuhbtw) January 31, 2024
Time will tell how the Macdonald hire pans out, but it has clearly given Seahawks fans something to be excited about.
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