Seattle, WA
Seattle Seahawks ‘Where They’re Meant to Be’ Defensively With End of OTAs Looming
As OTAs near a conclusion, first-time defensive coordinator Aden Durde is in no rush to make sure his players have mastered the early installs of the Seattle Seahawks’ new defensive scheme, and that’s exactly how it should be.
With eight OTA practices in the books, mandatory minicamp on the horizon June 11 to13, and a long training camp beginning in late July, Durde told reporters on Monday that most of the focus has been on what’s happening before each play, not during or after, especially with all the defensive playmaking restrictions in OTAs.
Speaking with media after Monday’s final open OTA session, Durde and head coach Mike Macdonald want to ensure pre-snap communication, adjustments, and shifts are locked in first.
“Obviously, where we are at, definitely it is part of installing a new scheme, but really it’s just part of the process of this year,” Durde said. “When there’s certain restrictions in the way you can practice and the things you can do, it’s like how do you maximize that by making sure pre-snap you’re moving fast, you’re talking, everyone’s down in a good position. Those are the things you’re looking for.”
With many players still not practicing during OTAs or even being present at all, it’s almost impossible to gauge where the unit that will eventually be Seattle’s starting defense currently stands. For now, Durde said those who are practicing are grasping the new scheme well, albeit with some miscues, which are expected.
“I think this time of year you really have to kind of step back and look at it from [the] big picture. I don’t think you have to get down into the detail,” Durde added. “You’re going to install the system, then you’re going to install it again. Then they’re going to get another hit of it next week when we get into true mandatory minicamp and then they’ll get another hit in training camp. I think right now they’re just where they’re meant to be and you have to, I think at this time of year, you’ve got to be comfortable making those mistakes and learning from them.”
Durde and the rest of Seattle’s defensive coaching staff have been tasked with fixing a Seahawks defense that was 30th in total yards allowed, 31st in rushing yards allowed, and 25th in scoring defense while allowing 23.6 points per game. Those poor numbers played a critical role in the decision to move on from legendary coach Pete Carroll and his staff this offseason.
When he was hired, Durde said Macdonald had a “very clear vision” of what the system would be, and it’s only grown from there as the pair — alongside assistant head coach Leslie Frazier — have continued to discuss how they see the team’s culture and its style of play. That has trickled down to the players and he hopes to see continued growth as training camp approaches.
“The players believe in the process, and we’re always looking at it and making sure that it’s right for them.”
Seattle, WA
Roster Moves: Seattle Seahawks activate Young off IR
The Seattle Seahawks activated wide receiver Dareke Young from injured reserve and elevated running back Cam Akers and offensive tackle Amari Knight off the practice squad Thursday ahead of their pivotal primetime showdown against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field.
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Young, 26, has missed Seattle’s past eight games with a quadricep injury. The fourth-year pro is a key special teams member for the Seahawks and was on the field for over 50% of the team’s special teams snaps in each of the six games he’s played this season. He has seven tackles and 10 kickoff returns for 322 yards. He also has two receptions for 48 yards.
Akers, 26, would be making his Seahawks debut against his former team if he gets into Thursday’s game. He played in three games for the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season and totaled 19 yards on five carries.
A sixth-year pro, Akers spent three-plus seasons with the Rams after they selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Florida State. Akers’ best season with Los Angeles came in 2022 when he rushed for career highs of 786 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 2,044 yards and 13 TDs on the ground in 56 career NFL games.
Knight, 24, provides the Seahawks with some depth at tackle with starting left tackle Charles Cross ruled out for Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury. Veteran backup Josh Jones is getting the start in place of Cross.
Knight went undrafted out of UCF and made his pro debut in Seattle’s Week 4 win over Arizona.
The Seahawks face the Rams on Thursday night at 5:15 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 2 p.m. with the pregame show on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle sports app.
Seattle Seahawks coverage
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• Do Rams have Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s number?
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Seattle, WA
Alex Carpenter scores twice as Seattle Torrent beat Charge 4-1
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 17: Alex Carpenter #25 of the Seattle Torrent celebrates her goal during the second period against the Ottawa Charge at Climate Pledge Arena on December 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
SEATTLE – Alex Carpenter had two goals and an assist, and Hannah Bilka had a goal and two assists as the Seattle Torrent earned a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Charge on Wednesday night.
Hannah Murphy was 38.1 seconds away from the first shutout in Torrent history before Ottawa finally got on the board late in the third period on a goal from Rebecca Leslie. Murphy made 24 saves on 25 shots in the victory.
Julia Gosling also added a goal on the power play as the Torrent won their second straight game.
Seattle took the lead on Gosling’s power play goal late in the first period with Rory Guilday in the box for a hooking penalty. Ottawa looked like they were going to get the game into the intermission scoreless after clearing the zone in the final 20 seconds of the period, but Carpenter and Bilka combined to find Gosling driving the back post for a finish past Sanni Ahola for a 1-0 lead.
Another power play chance off a Mannon McMahon tripping penalty allowed Carpenter to strike for a 2-0 lead.
A shot from the right circle from Bilka deflected off a skate to Carpenter at the front of the net as she back-handed the puck into the net for a two-goal advantage.
The Charge then lost track of Carpenter in the offensive zone as she found space directly in front of Ahola, beating the goaltender for a 3-0 lead off a pass from Megan Carter off the left boards.
Murphy was sharp in net for Seattle, turning aside 13 shots in the first period alone as Ottawa had the upper hand early. She’d face just 12 more shots over the final two periods combined, with only Leslie’s goal finding a way through.
After Bilka’s empty-net goal made it 4-0, Leslie outflanked Carter and the Seattle defense to get a near breakaway look in on Murphy that she finished to avoid the shutout for Ottawa.
Murphy has been the goaltender for both of the Torrent’s victories this season as the rookie out of Colgate University has been terrific early in the season for Seattle.
The Source: Information in this story came from FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
MORE TORRENT NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Two late power play goals give Seattle Torrent first win, 2-1, over Sirens
Seattle Torrent set PWHL attendance record in inaugural home-opener
Fans pack Climate Pledge Arena for Seattle Torrent’s historic home opener
Torrent set record for highest-attended U.S. women’s hockey game, lose 3-0 to Minnesota Frost
Julia Gosling scores first goal in Seattle Torrent history in team’s debut
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Seattle, WA
Jorge Polanco sends message to Seattle Mariners fans
Jorge Polanco won’t be back with the Seattle Mariners next season, but he left the club and its fan base heartfelt message after his signing with the New York Mets became official on Tuesday.
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Polanco, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets, posted the following to his Instagram page.
#Godfirst. I cannot express with words how grateful me and my family are for the belief YOU had in me. First you traded for me and then you signed me when everyone else doubted me after surgery. YOU made me feel wanted and loved and I will be forever grateful for that. I became a better player and person because of YOU. YOU embraced my wife, kids, and me as one of your own…again, I will be forever grateful for that. YOU were an inspiration for me every night and I just wish we could have delivered you the trophy YOU deserve. I will always cherish my time with YOU…I will never forget these last two years because of YOU.
YOU= Seattle Fans, Teammates, Trainers, Coaching Staff, Front Office, and Owner.
I will always smile thinking of YOU all.
Tridents UP!
Polanco was hindered by a knee issue and had a disappointing first season with the Mariners in 2024 after he was acquired in a trade that sent four players to Minnesota. But after coming back to the M’s on a one-year deal before the start of 2025, he had a resurgent campaign that helped key the club’s run its first American League West title and AL Championship Series appearance since 2001.
After posting career worsts with a .213 average and 29.2% strikeout rate in 2024, the 32-year-old second baseman and designated hitter batted .265 with an .821 OPS, 30 doubles, 26 home runs and 78 RBIs over 138 games in 2025. His strikeout rate dropped to 15.6%, marking the largest year-to-year dip in strikeout percentage in MLB history (minimum 450 plate appearances), per MLB.com’s Mike Petriello.
Polanco was extremely clutch for the Mariners all season long. He led the league with a 1.284 OPS and 259 wRC+ in high-leverage situations, and his .438 batting average was second.
That clutch hitting showed up in the postseason as well. Polanco homered twice off two-time reigning AL Cy Young-winner Tarik Skubal during Game 2 of the AL Division Series and delivered one of the biggest hits in Mariners history with a walk-off single in the 15th inning of their series-clinching Game 5 win. He also hit the go-ahead three-run homer in Seattle’s Game 2 ALCS win.
Polanco triggered a $6 million player option for 2026 by reaching 450 plate appearances in the regular season, but he declined the option to become a free agent. He was a top offseason target for Seattle before signing with New York.
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