Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Monday, February 5— about your Seattle Seahawks.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer breaks down why new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is the right successor for Pete Carroll.

It’s been less than a week since the Seahawks hired Coach Mike Macdonald to become the league’s youngest leader, the successor to the legendary Pete Carroll, who led the team from 2010-2023. NFL analyst and Sports Illustrated writer Albert Breer breaks down January's coaching moves, and why Macdonald was a 'really good hire' for Seattle.

Carroll joined the Seahawks in 2010, after a decorated career at the University of Southern California, winning five division titles and leading the Seahawks to 10 postseason berths, including a Super Bowl-winning season in 2013. Seattle moves from the league's oldest coach in 2023 to Macdonald, who at 36, is now the league's youngest.

Breer dives into the obvious age contrast in the two coaches - and why Macdonald embodies many of the traits that made Carroll successful in the Pacific Northwest.

Macdonald's a really good hire for the Seahawks. This really goes back to [what Seattle was looking for] after it moved on from Pete Carroll four weeks ago—someone who would bring fresh ideas to a proud organization, but also build, rather than deconstruct, the unique culture and atmosphere that the Seahawks have thrived in over the last 14 years. In diving into that, we can get the obvious out of the way first. Seattle did indeed just go from having the oldest coach in the NFL to having the youngest. Macdonald, 36, is legitimately half the age of Carroll, 72. In fact, when Macdonald was born in the summer of 1987, Carroll was headed into his 15th season coaching (and his third as the Vikings defensive backs coach). So it might sound weird that a millennial would be the natural successor to a coach who graduated college during the Vietnam War, but that really is what Macdonald is. That starts with Carroll being young at heart, and with how Carroll could, almost without exception, connect with and get the most out of players. He had a clear vision for everyone that came into that place—from Richard Sherman to Earl Thomas to Kam Chancellor to Marshawn Lynch—and it showed in the way all those pieces fit together. Macdonald, similarly, engenders loyalty and gets the most of his players.*

Macdonald spent 2014 as Baltimore's coaching intern, after graduating from the University of Georgia and spending several seasons as an assistant on the Bulldogs' staff. From 2015-2020, Macdonald rose within the Ravens' system, from defensive assistant to defensive backs coach (2017) to linebackers coach (2018-2020). In 2021, Macdonald took his talents to the collegiate level, becoming the University of Michigan's defensive coordinator. The Wolverine's defense would rank top-10 nationally, helping secure a Big Ten Conference Championship in 2021 and making a college football playoff appearance.

In 2022, Macdonald returned to the Ravens as defensive coordinator, leading a unit that ranked third in points allowed (18.1), third in rushing yards allowed (92.1 yards per game) and fifth in sacks (48).&text=%F0%9F%94%B9%20%231%20in%20fewest%20points%20allowed%20(280).). In 2023, the Ravens became the first team in league history to rank first in points allowed (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31).

Breer breaks down why Macdonald's philosophies won't be a complete shift in the foundation laid by Carroll.

Like Carroll, Macdonald also has a well-defined system, and he was able to hone his approach both in the NFL and major college football. He's probably a little more cerebral in how he applies all of that (he's been known by staff mates for playing the percentages a lot), and a little less energetic (which, again, is pretty funny considering the age gap). But overall, there's enough carryover here where the Seahawks won't be reinventing the wheel.

The Seahawks will look to evaluate the next steps in building their 2024 team once the offseason officially begins. Breer's breakdown is a look at why national media believes Seattle made the right coaching hire to bring back the success that the franchise has come to be known for.

Social Post Of The Day

Seahawks safety Julian Love and linebacker Bobby Wagner combine to make a big stop in the 2024 Pro Bowl.

More From Around The Web

Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times: Catching up with Malcolm Smith 10 years after he was Seahawks’ Super Bowl MVP.

Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Wyman: How Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald can help Geno Smith.

Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard: Key stat for Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald that jumps out.

Grant Gordon of Around the NFL: Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner continues to ignore 'outside noise' after ninth Pro Bowl year.

Mike Sando of The Athletic: With Mike Macdonald, Seahawks (and GM) pivot from Pete Carroll and their history.

Mike Salk of Seattle Sports 710AM: Salk: The 7 words that stick out with new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald.

Isaiah De Anda Delgado of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks EXCLUSIVE: Bobby Wagner & Devon Witherspoon Reveal Differences Between 'Special' Seasons.

Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks NFL Draft: An early look at options with the No. 16 pick.