Thursday's loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks' third straight defeat following a 3-0 start to the season, was a stark reminder of the work they still need to do play to their expectations. But what the past three game have also shown, amidst the turnovers and big plays that have led to losses, is that there is a foundation to build off of despite the recent struggles.
"I think in order to be great, it starts with a solid foundation," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "Probably outside the New York game, the effort and the physicality and the intent of how we're playing is there. So that's a reason to be optimistic. I'll tell you what, we're going to get there. We're going to get to the point where we want to be. I think our guys are bought in, and they're convinced of it. They're going to be part of the solution, and it's my job and the coaches' job to make it come to life. We're going to be resilient. We're just going to do it. At some point, it's going to happen. I hope it's this week. We've got the guys and the resolve to make it come to life."
None of that is meant to sugarcoat the fact that, six games into the season, the Seahawks haven't been good enough. And after playing three games in the past 11 days, players will get a few days off while coaches look at everything they can to try to help the team get better, with, as Macdonald put it, everything being on the table.
"Our guys were into it and just had our opportunities to win the game at the end, but we're falling short as a team right now," Macdonald said. "Like we said last night, this is a heck of an opportunity to have an extra couple of days to really come up with a great plan of attack, and let's go forward, man. I told the team last night that we have the players, we have the guys in the locker room to become the team we want to be and there might be some decisions on where we move them and how we're using guys and everything's on the table right now. So that's what the next couple of days are for as a coaching staff and let's come up with a great plan of attack and go to work on Monday."
As for the plan these next few days, Macdonald said the coaching staff would get together Friday in order to, "Go through it with a fine-tooth comb. Let's have some discussions on where we believe we are. We're going to do a lot of some self-scout stuff and really digest the numbers and then let's come up with a plan of attack and things we need to work on. That'll be over the next two days and then Monday we'll be with the guys, so we'll be in here and go attack the plan."
Prior to meeting with the media Friday morning, Macdonald reviewed the film of Thursday's 36-24 loss to the 49ers, and came away from that viewing feeling for the most part like he did after the game.
"Right now it's where we are, as a football team, there are things that are really good that we can build off of foundationally, effort-wise, physicality, intent, energy-wise, all that is positive," he said. "But there are too many things right now that are costing us football games that we can't do. The takeaway differential, missed tackles, and explosive plays on defense. Some decisions we're making in the return game, all those things are what we felt like leaving the stadium last night."
The message to the team after the loss, Macdonald said, was that "You've got two options—you can give up and say, 'OK, we're never going to play again, never win another game.' Or we can go back to work and go through these things in these tough times. And I know one way and our team's going to know one way and that's what we're going to do. It goes with having tough conversations and honest conversations and tweaking some of your systems and a lot of the process that gets you some of these results. But this is a little independent. Every team's a new team. It's all new guys, but that's the thought behind it."
Losing, of course, comes with frustration, some of which ends up captured by TV cameras, but if that emotion isn't hurting the team, Macdonald doesn't see it as an issue.
"Guys are so competitive and there's a spirit to the team and people get frustrated and my message to those guys, 'Hey, it's OK to be emotional,'" he said. "We want to be an emotional team that lives on the line in these high intense situations, but also let's keep our composure and let's stick together, which I think we're doing a great job of. So, all those ingredients are there and it's just about kind of cooking it the right way right now and let's make sure we're putting our best foot forward.
"As frustrating as it is and it hurts right after the game, it stings man. You feel like failed the city, you're bummed. That's a natural reaction, it's OK to be. You should be upset because it also means that you care. Then when you watch it (the game film) back and you go back and you dissect this thing and where we're at and how we're able to stay in some of these games that we probably shouldn't be in, absolutely, that's a sign to be optimistic. At some point, it's going be the other way where 'Hey, we're trying to close these games out up a score, or multiple scores at the end.' We can hang with anybody. But right now, we've got some fixing to do at home."
The Seahawks franchise will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025 so in honor of its 50th season, we are recognizing some of the greatest players to play in Seattle. The 12s have the opportunity to vote for the top 50 players in franchise history, with 163 players being eligible. Take a look at all 163 players that met the criteria for the vote and cast your ballots here.
Quarterback Trent Dilfer #4 (2001 - 2004).
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 (2001 - 2010).
Quarterback Brock Huard #11 (2000 - 2001).
Quarterback Jon Kitna #7 (1997 - 2000).
Quarterback Dave Krieg #17 (1980 - 1991).
Quarterback Rick Mirer #3 (1993 - 1996).
Quarterback Warren Moon #1 (1997 - 1998).
Quarterback Geno Smith #7 (2019 - Present).
Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 (2012 - 2021).
Quarterback Jim Zorn #10 (1976 - 1984).
Running back Shaun Alexander #37 (2000 - 2007).
Fullback Nick Bellore #44 (2019 - 2023).
Running back Steve Broussard #31 (1995 - 1998).
Running back Chris Carson #32 (2017 - 2021).
Kick returner Bobby Joe Edmunds (1986 - 1988).
Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 (2010 - 2015, 2019).
Fullback Michael Robinson #26 (2010 - 2013).
Running back Sherman Smith #47 (1976 - 1982).
Fullback Mack Strong #38 (1993 - 2007).
Running back Curt Warner #28 (1983 - 1989).
Running back Chris Warren #42 (1990 - 1997).
Kick returner Leon Washington #33 (2010 - 2012).
Running back Ricky Watters #32 (1998 - 2001).
Fullback John L. Williams #32 (1986 - 1993).
Tackle Steve August #76 (1977 - 1983).
Guard Edwin Bailey #65 (1981 - 1991).
Tackle Howard Ballard #75 (1994 - 1998).
Tackle Nick Bebout #63 (1976 - 1979).
Center Justin Britt #68 (2014 - 2019).
Tackle Duane Brown #76 (2017 - 2021).
Center Blair Bush #59 (1983 - 1988).
Tackle Ron Essink #64 (1980 - 1985).
Tackle Norm Evans #73 (1976 - 1978).
Center Grant Feasel #54 (1987 - 1992).
Center Chris Gray #62 (1998 - 2007).
Tackle Andy Heck #66 (1989 - 1992).
Guard Steve Hutchinson #76 (2001 - 2005).
Guard Germain Ifedi #65 (2016 - 2019).
Tackle Walter Jones #71 (1997 - 2008).
Guard Pete Kendall #66 (1996 - 2000).
Guard Damien Lewis #68 (2020 - 2023)
Tackle Sean Locklear #75 (2004 - 2011).
Guard Tom Lynch #61 (1977 - 1980).
Tackle Ron Mattes #70 (1986 - 1990).
Center Kevin Mawae #52 (1994 - 1997).
Guard Bryan Millard #71 (1984 - 1991).
Tackle Bob Newton #78 (1976 - 1981).
Tackle Russell Okung #76 (2010 - 2015).
Guard Robert Pratt #61 (1982 - 1985).
Tackle Ray Roberts #73 (1992 - 1995).
Center Chris Spencer #65 (2005 - 2010).
Guard J.R. Sweezy #64 (2012 - 2015, 2018).
Center Robbie Tobeck #61 (2000 - 2006).
Center Max Unger #60 (2009 - 2014).
Tackle Mike Wilson #75 (1986 - 1989).
Guard Floyd Womack #77 (2001 - 2008).
Center John Yarno #51 (1977 - 1982).
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin #89 (2011 - 2018).
Wide receiver Alex Bannister #85 (2001 - 2005).
Wide receiver Brian Blades #89 (1988 - 1998).
Wide receiver Nate Burleson #81 (2006 - 2009).
Wide receiver Bobby Engram #84 (2001 - 2008).
Wide receiver Joey Galloway #84 (1995 - 1999).
Wide receiver Darrell Jackson #82 (2000 - 2006).
Wide receiver Paul Johns #85 (1981 - 1984).
Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse #15 (2012 - 2016).
Wide receiver Steve Largent #80 (1976 - 1989).
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett #16 (2015 - Present).
Wide receiver Sam McCullum #84 (1976 - 1981).
Wide receiver DK Metcalf #14 (2019 - Present).
Wide receiver Koren Robinson #81 (2001 - 2004, 2008).
Wide receiver Golden Tate #81 (2010 - 2013).
Tight end John Carlson #89 (2008 - 2010).
Tight end Will Dissly #89 (2018 - 2023).
Tight end Christian Fauria #86 (1995 - 2001).
Tight end Jimmy Graham #88 (2015 - 2017).
Tight end Mike Tice #87 (1981- 1988, 1990-1991).
Defensive tackle Sam Adams #98 (1994 - 1999).
Defensive end Cliff Avril #56 (2013 - 2017).
Defensive end Michael Bennett #72 (2013 - 2017).
Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard #99 (2002 - 2008).
Defensive end Red Bryant #79 (2008 - 2013).
Defensive end Jeff Bryant #77 (1982 - 1993).
Defensive end Chris Clemons #91 (2010 - 2013).
Defensive tackle Poona Ford #97 (2018 - 2022).
Defensive end Jacob Green #79 (1980 - 1991).
Defensive tackle Robert Hardy #75 (1979 - 1982).
Defensive end Bruce Irvin #51 (2012 - 2015, 2020, 2022).
Defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy #96 (1990 - 2000).
Defensive end Patrick Kerney #97 (2007 - 2009).
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane #92 (2007 - 2015).
Defensive tackle Joe Nash #72 (1982 - 1996).
Defensive tackle John Randle #93 (2001 - 2003).
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed #91 (2016 - 2020, 2023 - Present).
Defensive end Michael Sinclair #70 (1992 - 2001).
Defensive tackle Manu Tuiasosopo #74 (1979 - 1983).
Safety Jamal Adams #33 (2020 - 2023).
Safety Jordan Babineaux #27 (2004 - 2010).
Safety Jay Bellamy #20 (1994 - 2000).
Safety Robert Blackmon #25 (1990 - 1996).
Cornerback Dave Brown #22 (1976 - 1986).
Cornerback Brandon Browner #39 (2011 - 2013).
Safety Kam Chancellor #31 (2010 - 2017).
Safety Quandre Diggs #6 (2019 - 2023).
Safety Kenny Easley #45 (1981 - 1987)
Seahawks safety Deon Grant #24 (2007 - 2009).
Cornerback Carlton Gray #26 (1993 - 1996).
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin #26 (2017 - 2020).
Safety Ken Hamlin #26 (2003 - 2006).
Cornerback Dwayne Harper #29 (1988 -1993).
Safety John Harris #44 (1978 - 1985).
Cornerback Patrick Hunter #27 (1986 - 1994).
Cornerback Roy Lewis #34 (2009 - 2011).
Safety Julian Love #20 (2023 - Present).
Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas #31 (2001 - 2004, 2009).
Safety Eugene Robinson #41 (1985 - 1995).
Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 (2011 - 2017).
Safety Keith Simpson #42 (1978 - 1985).
Cornerback Shawn Springs #24 (1997 - 2003).
Cornerback Terry Taylor #24 (1984 - 1988, 1994).
Safety Earl Thomas #29 (2010 - 2018).
Safety Reggie Tongue #25 (2000 - 2003).
Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 (2003 - 2012).
Cornerback Willie Williams #27 (1997 - 2003).
Safety Darryl Williams #33 (1996 - 1999).
Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson #26 (2007 - 2009).
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon #21 (2023 - Present).
Cornerback Riq Woolen #27 (2022 - Present).
Linebacker Terry Beeson #58 (1977 - 1981).
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks #56 (2020 - 2023).
Linebacker Chad Brown #94 (1997 - 2004).
Linebacker Keith Butler #53 (1978 - 1987)
Linebacker Leroy Hill #56 (2005 - 2012).
Linebacker Michael Jackson #55 (1979 - 1986).
Linebacker Winston Moss #55 (1995 - 1997).
Linebacker Julian Peterson #98 (2006 - 2008).
Linebacker Rufus Porter #97 (1988 - 1994).
Linebacker Bruce Scholtz #58 (1982 - 1988).
Linebacker Anthony Simmons #51 (1998 - 2004).
Linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 (2011 - 2014).
Linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 (2005 - 2010).
Linebacker Bobby Wagner #54 (2012 - 2021, 2023).
Linebacker Dean Wells #95 (1993 - 1998).
Linebacker Terry Wooden #90 (1990 - 1996).
Linebacker Tony Woods #57 (1987 - 1992).
Linebacker K.J. Wright #50 (2011 - 2020).
Linebacker Dave Wyman #92 (1987 - 1992).
Linebacker Fredd Young #50 (1984 - 1987).
Kicker Josh Brown #3 (2003 - 2007).
Punter Michael Dickson #4 (2018 - Present).
Punter Jeff Feagles #10 (1998 - 2002).
Kicker Steven Hauschka #4 (2011 - 2016).
Kicker Efren Herrera #1 (1978 - 1981).
Kicker Norm Johnson #9 (1982 - 1990).
Kicker John Kasay #4 (1991 - 1994).
Kicker Olindo Mare #10 (2008 - 2010).
Kicker Jason Myers #5 (2019 - Present).
Long snapper Tyler Ott #69 (2016 - 2022).
Kicker Todd Peterson #2 (1995 - 1999).
Punter Jon Ryan #9 (2008 - 2017).
Punter Rick Tuten #14 (1991 - 1997).
Punter Herman Weaver #18 (1977 - 1980).
Punter Jeff West #8 (1981 - 1985).
