INDIANAPOLIS—There was a lot to like about what the Seahawks got done in 2024 in their first year under head coach Mike Macdonald.
The Seahawks won 10 games, though they missed the postseason by losing the fifth tiebreaker, strength of victory, to the Rams, making Macdonald the winningest first-year coach in team history. The Seahawks also finished the season strong, winning six of their last eight as Macdonald's defense turned a corner, and they were an impressive 7-1 on the road, matching the best road mark in franchise history.
But the Seahawks' goals are bigger than winning 10 games or showing signs of improvement on defense. General manager and president of football operations John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald both expect a lot more from the team, which is why this offseason, like every other, is critical towards the team taking the next step.
"I feel bad for our fans not making the playoffs two years in a row," Schneider said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We've got to get Lumen rocking again. We've got to get speed on defense, and be able to run the ball, and get our identity. The new coaching staff, the new offensive staff, it's pretty cool. It's a proven system, and the teachers are really impressive."
That new offensive staff, led by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, also includes newcomers John Benton (offensive line), Andrew Janocko (quarterback), Rick Dennison (run game coordinator/senior offensive advisor) and Justin Outten (run game specialist/assistant offensive line), all of whom are tasked with helping the Seahawks find the identity that Schneider and Macdonald are looking for from their team.
"We want to be a smart, tough, physical, fast football team," Schneider said. "And we want to be able to get our homefield advantage back, and win multiple championships for our fans."
Unlike last year when Macdonald and his newly-formed coaching staff stayed back in Seattle, coaches are at the combine this season, which should only help with the evaluation process.
"It helps a lot," Schneider said. "We didn't have the guys in the interviews last year, so having the position coach, defensive coordinator, head coach, having those guys in the room is a big deal to get the players going on football knowledge. Yeah, it helps a lot. They were implementing all their systems last year, so this is an opportunity for these guys to get down there and get rocking."
Schneider is especially excited about what the new offensive coaches, all of whom have a background in the Mike Shanahan/wide zone scheme, will bring to the offense.
"When we got here in 2010, Alex Gibbs was here for a minute with us, and I had a little bit of exposure in Green Bay with the wide zone stuff," Schneider said. "Alex and Mike Shanahan, those guys were going to Super Bowls with it in Denver. So watching that over the years, that system, a proven system, and Rick Dennison was there, he's been involved with it, so to have a number of people, especially with our offensive line, John Benton, Rick Dennison, Klint's focus on running the football, and Justin Outten played center and was a tight end and run game guy for the Packers. It's fun, it's good. It's a really cool group, and it's cool to kind of have things settled too, because last year through our offseason process, we were late with our hire, then Mike was hiring a staff and getting people together throughout the draft meetings.
"So this year, to be able to keep talking the same language, having the position coaches come in and present to us now before we start each position, like, 'Hey, this is what I want, this is what I'm looking for.' It really helps. We're constantly talking about that holistic approach of acquisitions, sports science, player development, just bringing that whole thing together, and obviously coaching is the No. 1 priority, especially on that side of the ball the way we finished."
Take a look at some of the best photos from the Seahawks' 2024 season.
Seahawks Legends Marshawn Lynch and Kam Chancellor attend the Week 1 home matchup vs. the Denver Broncos.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 1 matchup vs. the Denver Broncos.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 1 matchup vs. the Denver Broncos.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21 celebrates during the Week 1 matchup vs. the Denver Broncos.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the Week 2 matchup at the New England Patriots.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 2 matchup at the New England Patriots.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) gets the sack during the Week 2 matchup at the New England Patriots.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) during the Week 2 matchup at the New England Patriots.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) catches a deep ball during the Week 3 matchup vs. the Miami Dolphins.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 3 matchup vs. the Miami Dolphins.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the Week 3 matchup vs. the Miami Dolphins.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) and linebacker Boye Mafe (53) during the Week 3 matchup vs. the Miami Dolphins.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the Week 4 matchup at the Detroit Lions.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9), wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and tight end AJ Barner (88) during the Week 4 matchup at the Detroit Lions.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the Week 4 matchup at the Detroit Lions.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) during the Week 5 matchup vs. the New York Giants.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21), cornerback Tre Brown (22) and tight end Brady Russell (38) celebrate during the Week 5 matchup vs. the New York Giants.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) during the Week 6 matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 6 matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) during pre-game warmups for the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and the team run out of the tunnel for the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) prior to kickoff of the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and quarterback Geno Smith (7) prior to kickoff of the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrate a touchdown during the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) during the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) catches a touchdown pass during the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) breaks up a pass during the Week 7 matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) leads the team out of the tunnel for the Week 8 matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) celebrates an interception during the Week 8 matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) prior to kickoff of the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a pass during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates a touchdown during the Week 9 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) prior to kickoff of the Week 11 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and the defense celebrate during the Week 11 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and punter Michael Dickson (4) during the Week 11 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9), tight end AJ Barner (88) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) celebrate during the Week 11 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates after a game-winning rushing touchdown in the Week 11 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and safety Coby Bryant (8) during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) celebrate during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) celebrates a pick-six during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) celebrates a pick-six during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) and tight end AJ Barner (88) during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99), linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) and linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) leaps over a defender during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a touchdown pass during the Week 12 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) prior to kickoff of the Week 13 matchup at the New York Jets.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) intercepts a pass during the Week 13 matchup at the New York Jets.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates a pick-six during the Week 13 matchup at the New York Jets.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during the Week 13 matchup at the New York Jets.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the Week 13 matchup at the New York Jets.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8), cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the Week 14 matchup at the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) leaps over a defender during the Week 14 matchup at the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a pass during the Week 14 matchup at the Arizona Cardinals.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) prior to kickoff of the Week 15 matchup vs. the Green Bay Packers.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21), safety Julian Love (20), cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the Week 15 matchup vs. the Green Bay Packers.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during Week 15 matchup vs. the Green Bay Packers.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) during the Week 16 matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
Shortly after Seahawks Legend Michael Bennett was honored by the crowd, Jarran Reed mimicked Bennett's signature celebration after a quarterback sack.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the Week 16 matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) makes this touchdown catch over the middle in the fourth quarter of the Week 16 matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) and Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14).
Seattle's Leonard Williams (99) celebrates after a stop in the Week 16 matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) prior to kickoff of the Week 17 matchup at the Chicago Bears.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30), defensive end Leonard Williams (99), safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2), cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21), cornerback Tre Brown (22), cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) celebrate during the Week 17 matchup at the Chicago Bears.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the Week 17 matchup at the Chicago Bears.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) celebrates wide receiver Jake Bobo's (19) touchdown during the Week 18 matchup at the Los Angeles Rams.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) during the Week 18 matchup at the Los Angeles Rams.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20), safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2), linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13), linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and safety Coby Bryant (8) during the Week 18 matchup at the Los Angeles Rams.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates a sack during the Week 18 matchup at the Los Angeles Rams.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during the Week 18 matchup at the Los Angeles Rams.
