Seahawks players were back at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Tuesday for the start of the team's offseason workout program, and like the start of any new season, there was plenty of excitement and energy in the building.
But while optimism is the norm this time of year throughout the league, the Seahawks have good reason to feel good about the direction they're headed in in their second season under head coach Mike Macdonald. At this time last year, everything was new, both for players and the coaching staff, whereas this year players feel like they're ready to hit the ground running.
"It's a big difference," said defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season. "Me and AD (defensive coordinator Aden Durde) were talking about it. Last year around this time, it was everybody's first time meeting Coach Mike and the staff, so there was like a little bit of awkwardness getting to know each other. Whereas this year, now we all know each other and we're building off of what we ended with last year. We're coming off a 10-win season, and I think everybody's excited to take that next leap. You could just feel the energy in the building today. Everybody was super locked in, everybody is happy to see each other, happy to put their best foot forward."
As Williams noted, a big part of this year's optimism has to do with the way the team finished last year. No, the Seahawks didn't make the playoffs in 2024, but they did win six of their final eight games to finish 10-7, and they only missed winning the NFC West by a fifth tiebreaker, strength of victory. And on defense, the Seahawks have a ton of continuity after a strong second half to the season.
"We're in a good spot," said safety Julian Love. "We did so many good things, but we still fell short, there's more to get, so we don't feel accomplished at all, but there's something to feel pride about with what we built last year. This year, everybody is here and locked in and ready to go. Obviously, there's some new faces, but at the core of it, we're all just excited to work."
On defense in particular, Love expects the Seahawks to be so much further ahead of where they were heading into last season.
"It took really until camp—I'll even say Week 1—to feel like you can truly understand a person," Love said. "Because you don't really understand what everybody's about until stuff hits the fan. Right now, we know what everybody's about—coach to player, player to player, player to coach, we understand each other. So now we can get to the good stuff earlier. We can talk about scheme, talk about how we want to be exceptional this year, not just good."
Added Williams, "We're just working on taking that next big step. We brought in some really nice pieces on defense, and across the board on defense, we feel like we're the heart of this team, and we kind of showed that at the end of last year. Not saying that we don't believe in those guys on the other side of the ball; I hope they're thinking the same thing. I want them to think they're the heart of the team. We take a lot of pride in that and we're working towards being the tip of the spear for this team."
Veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed, whose re-signing was a key move the team made this offseason, said the Seahawks, "ended the season with the escalator going up. Everybody's excited, because everybody knows what type of defense we can be. We're setting the standard now to be one of the top defenses in the league."
Reed added that the start of offseason workouts this year "feels more relaxed. Everybody is just more at ease and more comfortable with each other. We know each other, players and coaches, we don't have to figure each other out."
But while continuity is the theme on defense, Seattle's offense will look quite a bit different this season. The Seahawks started their offseason by making a change at offensive coordinator, with Klint Kubiak taking over in that role, bringing several assistant coaches with him from New Orleans or from other stops in his career. The Seahawks also made some big changes on the roster, trading Geno Smith and DK Metcalf and releasing Tyler Lockett in a salary-cap related move, and signing Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Players will miss their friends and former teammates, but they're also excited about the new players added to the roster, as well as what Kubiak will bring.
"I'm super excited," said receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who made the Pro Bowl in his second season, tying a franchise record with 100 receptions "I love to play ball, love the Seahawks, love having 'Seahawks' on my chest. Talking to Mike and John (Schneider), the direction we want to go, I'm all on board with that. I can see it from the first day with Klint; he's just on top of it, ready, telling us what to expect from him, and also what he expects from us. Just starting over with a clean slate is exciting. I get to prove myself once again to this team and this organization, and for me, my eyes always light up at that opportunity."
Asked about Kubiak's offense, Smith-Njigba said, "It's built for tough players, smashmouth players, players who want to win, players who are going to get the job done, plain and simple, whether that's blocking a safety or whatever is asked from you. We've got a lot of tough players on this team just looking around this offense. It's just a tough, hard-nosed offense, and we've got the players to fit that style."
Added left tackle Charles Cross, "Everyone's really excited. Kubiak's bringing a new system in, everyone's excited to learn it and understand the nuances of it, and really just bring it to life.
"I feel like it's going to help everyone as far as the scheme and skillset of the offense, running off the ball, getting the ball out quick. I feel like it's an O-line's dream to play in a system like this."
When it comes to the two highest-profile free-agent signings, Darnold and Kupp, players who have faced them are excited about what they'll bring to Seattle.
"For me, who they are as players embodies the core of our team right now—just hard-working guys who aren't about the extra stuff, they're just trying to compete and just get after it every single play, every single game," said Love. "Cooper Kupp, he's incredibly savvy, obviously I've guarded him over the years, and every year you play him, you just have so much respect for how he attacks the game, how he works. And Sam Darnold, it's the same thing. You talk about a guy who had his back against the wall a couple of times in his career, and people have doubted him a ton, and he's continued to work and grind and prove himself. I'm excited to have both of them, they come with a great mindset and obviously a lot of talent."
Smith-Njigba, who spent his first two seasons learning from the likes of Smith, Metcalf and Lockett, is excited now to pick Kupp and Darnold's brains and learn from a couple more accomplished veterans.
"You go down the list of teammates that I've had, I've been blessed," Smith-Njigba said. "To have Coop here this year, it's the cherry on top. I can't wait to learn from him, I've already learned a ton from him in just two days and some text messages. Just to get a different perspective on the game is something I'll always value and respect. I can't wait. We sat next to each other in the meeting room today, and there's going to be a lot of questions that I ask. That's just how I am, that's how I'm built, asking DK, asking Tyler, asking the guys who have been there before, and Cooper Kupp's at the top of that list.
"And being with (Darnold) at the Pro Bowl, meeting him, I can sense his love for the game. He's been through some battles, some ups and downs, and that's always great. He's been tested, and his testimony is great. It's awesome. He's a player who had a great year last year, I enjoyed watching his film from last year, and it just puts a smile on my face and gets me ready to go, because I know he can sling it. He wants to get the ball in players' hands and let us do our thing, and as a receiver, I love that."
The Seahawks kicked off their offseason workout program on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 with an on-field workout and a lifting session at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) and safety Julian Love (20) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99), defensive end Mike Morris (94) and defensive tackle Kenneth Odumegwu (77) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (47) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (47) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64), tackle Michael Jerrell (65) and guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (70) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (6) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83), wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (6) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jaren Hall (15) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and tight end Brady Russell (38) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (6) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks participated in the first workout of the offseason on April 22, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
