Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, February 7— about your Seattle Seahawks.

Derrik Klassen of The 33rd Team breaks down why the Seahawks made the best hiring of the offseason with the addition of new head coach Mike Macdonald.

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, putting an end to the 2023 season. With several teams finding new coaches throughout the early 2024 coaching cycle, Derrik Klassen of The 33rd Team breaks down why Seattle landed the top man in new Coach Mike Macdonald.

In the week that's passed since Seattle hired Macdonald, both local and national media have praised the franchise for bringing the 36-year-old to the Pacific Northwest to become the league's youngest coach. Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer broke down why Macdonald is a “really good hire” in his latest review of coaching moves league-wide.

After two seasons spent as defensive coordinator of a dominant Ravens defense that ranked Top-5 in majority of statistical categories, Klassen explains why Macdonald's defensive genius is no fluke.

Macdonald was getting Brandon Staley comparisons early in the process, but that's not fair. Staley had a meteoric rise throughout the NFL ranks before putting forth one season of "revolutionary" defensive schematics that mainly was the work of Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.

That's not Macdonald at all. Macdonald didn't revolutionize anything. His defense is characterized by split-field coverages, well-timed simulated pressures and good tackling.

The first two pillars are where modern defensive football is heading anyway. Macdonald didn't force this shift. He's just good at using those tools. Macdonald's secret sauce is how he teaches and calls the defense.

It's one thing to put the Xs and Os on the chalkboard in the right spots, but it's another thing entirely to communicate that well to your players and call plays in the right moments.

With Macdonald's Ravens the past two seasons, it was abundantly clear those players locked in on what Macdonald sold them.

In 2023, the 13-3 Ravens became the first defense in history to lead the league in sacks (60), points allowed (16.5) and takeaways (31). Klassen breaks down how Macdonald developed players in his defensive scheme, getting the best out of his personnel.

Everyone plays fast, rarely misses assignments and flies to the ball. It's the same stuff that enamored everyone with DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco, all carried over to Houston.

If you need proof, consider all the players who have been the best version of themselves under Macdonald. Roquan Smith fully blossomed into an All-Pro linebacker. That had a cascading effect on fellow linebacker Patrick Queen, who went from downright bad to making the Pro Bowl.

Justin Madubuike became one of the league's most explosive defensive tackles. Jadeveon Clowney, a mercenary pass-rusher, cleared nine sacks for the second time since 2018 because of how well Macdonald deployed him.

Even Kyle Van Noy, who all but faded out entirely with the Chargers last season, was a critical piece to Baltimore's lockdown defense. Macdonald got quality play from nickel CB Arthur Maulet off the street.

Macdonald has the goods. As a play-caller, he always adapts to the team in front of him with the correct answers. As a teacher, Macdonald clearly got his point across and got players to buy in.

There's more to being a head coach than that, but with the information we have, Macdonald passes every test with flying colors. The Seahawks are in good hands.

The 2024 offseason hasn't truly begun, but the excitement around the future of Seahawks football is just beginning to show.

Social Post Of The Day

Indianapolis Colts Coach Shane Steichen joins the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long to breakdown why Mike Macdonald deserved the Seahawks head coaching position.

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Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy shares what to know about NFL Draft, a Seahawks fit.

The Associated Press: Lumen Field in Seattle to install grass for World Cup in early 2026.

Adam Schultz of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks' Macdonald Not Shying Away From Adversity: 'Head On!'

Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks Final Report Card: Did Devon Witherspoon, CB Group Live Up to Hype?

Jonathan Alfano of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks EXCLUSIVE: Devon Witherspoon Ready to 'Let Them Know' in Year 2.

Richie Whitt of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks' Lumen Field to Host World Cup 2026: 'Like a Super Bowl!'