The Seahawks acquired someone who has defeated the 49ers and Rams, since they were unable to defeat them this season
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday, Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, will take over as head coach of Seattle.
The Seahawks were 0–4 in 2023 versus San Francisco and Los Angeles, two teams that had recently jumped them in the NFC West. In the previous seven seasons, Seattle has only finished first in the division once, and that was in 2020 after a home loss to the Rams in the wild-card round.
In the meantime, the Ravens defeated the Seahawks 37-3 and went 2-0 against the best in the NFC West this season.
According to NFL analyst Mike Garafolo, the move is anticipated to be viewed as a “home run” within the league.
In terms of scoring defense (16.5 points per game), sacks (60), and takeaways (31), the Ravens were the league leaders. In addition, the defense fulfilled its obligation against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, limiting them to just 17 points in the postseason—their lowest total since their 31-9 defeat in Super Bowl LV.
Macdonald brought back the career of edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and got great performances out of several Ravens defenders, including as defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, safety Kyle Hamilton, and linebacker Patrick Queen.
In four seasons, Queen allowed the fewest yards per target in pass coverage while amassing a career-high 133 tackles. After just two seasons, Madubuike was named to his first Pro Bowl, and Hamilton was named to the All-Pro First Team. Madubuike had 13 sacks.
Clowney had 9.5 sacks, which tied a career-high while playing 57% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps, the fewest percentage of defensive snaps he played when available since his rookie year.
Prior to Macdonald’s arrival, the Ravens ranked 19th in scoring defense in 2021. He inherits a Seahawks defense that’s been in decline for years under former head coach Pete Carroll.
The unit hasn’t ranked in the top 10 in either points or yards allowed since 2017, including finishing in the bottom third in the league the past two seasons.
Schefter hinted on social media that their problems aren’t a result of a lack of skill. 2024 could see a breakthrough in the secondary with corners Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon in particular.
Although the defensive line needs to be fixed, Macdonald might provide the Seahawks with quick assistance because Madubuike is a free agent in 2024.
It was evident that Macdonald has the respect of his players when Hamilton raved about him to ESPN writer Cameron Wolfe earlier in the day, before he was reportedly named Seattle’s head coach.
That may make Madubuike and a few other of the best defensive free agents in 2024 want to sign with the Seahawks.
Clowney
