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Insider: Seattle Seahawks could have league’s No. 1 defense

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Insider: Seattle Seahawks could have league’s No. 1 defense


Heading into Year 2 of the Mike Macdonald era, the expectations are high for the Seattle Seahawks’ defense.

And for good reason.

After some initial growing pains last year, the unit evolved into one of the league’s best over the second half of the season. Over the final nine weeks, Seattle ranked fifth in scoring defense, fifth in defensive EPA and fourth in total defense.

And now, with nearly every key contributor returning, the Seahawks can build on the foundation they set during that second-half surge. On top of that, they bolstered the unit with more talent this offseason, adding four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency and ultra-athletic safety Nick Emmanwori in the second round of the NFL Draft.

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So, just how good can this Seahawks defense be? The Athletic’s Derrik Klassen, co-host of The Athletic Football Show, thinks the sky is the limit.

“I think there’s a chance that they can be the best defense in the league,” Klassen said Friday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy.

Macdonald’s brilliance

The biggest reason for Klassen’s optimism centers on the 38-year-old Macdonald, who he termed as “one of the most brilliant play callers in the league” on the defensive side.

Macdonald quickly developed a reputation as a defensive mastermind in Baltimore, where he excelled during his two-year stint as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. Running an innovative scheme that flustered opponents, Macdonald’s Ravens finished third in scoring defense in 2022 and then made NFL history in 2023, becoming the first defense to lead the league in points allowed, sacks and takeaways.

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And as a first-time head coach last fall – after inheriting a struggling Seattle defense that ranked 25th in scoring each of the past two seasons – Macdonald turned the Seahawks into top-five defense over the back half of 2024.

“It just feels like they are never in the wrong call,” Klassen said. “And that’s kind of a hard thing to quantify, but you watch other defenses, and every now and then you just feel like, ‘Ah man, they shouldn’t have blitzed there. Ah man, they really shouldn’t have ran man (coverage) there.’ It feels like Mike Macdonald does the opposite. … It just all feels like they have the right answers at the right time.

“There are very few defensive coordinators where it feels like they are on the front foot against the offense. And Mike Macdonald, to me, is one of those guys. I think he teaches the secondary very well, and then he brings his pressures in a way that is very smart.”

Strength in the trenches

Klassen likes the overall collection of talent on Seattle’s defense. But of all the position groups, he’s most excited to watch the defensive tackles.

The Seahawks’ interior defensive line is led by 31-year-old Leonard Williams, a two-time Pro Bowler who is coming off a sensational season that featured 11 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three pass deflections and a pick-six. Seattle also has 32-year-old veteran Jarran Reed, who totaled 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. And then there’s 2024 first-round pick Byron Murphy II, who could be poised for a step forward in Year 2.

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“This defensive tackle unit might be insane,” Klassen said. “Leonard Williams, last year, obviously was one of the best defensive tackles in the league. He played at truly an All-Pro level. … And then I think there’s a chance that Byron Murphy really takes a step and is something similar to what Mike Macdonald had with (second-team All-Pro) Justin Madubuike in Baltimore.

“There are obviously some other good players on the defense. … But I really think that defensive tackle room, if this is the best defense in the league, it’s gonna be because of those guys.”

Listen to the full conversation with The Athletic’s Derrik Klassen at this link or in the audio player at the bottom of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Seattle Seahawks news and analysis

• Wyman: The key X-factor in Seattle Seahawks’ O-line battles
• Bump: Why Seattle Seahawks signing Shaquill Griffin is ‘good move’
• Seattle Seahawks have the pieces for ‘really exciting’ defense
• Hasselbeck: How Seattle Seahawks could gain edge sprinkling in Milroe
• NFC West Insider: Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp ‘can still play’

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Seattle Weather: On and Off Showers Throughout the Week

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Seattle Weather: On and Off Showers Throughout the Week


On and off showers will continue overnight as lows cool into the upper 30s and low 40s.  Temperatures will be near freezing over the passes with more snow on the way. 

Forecast overnight lows around Western Washington.

Lingering rain overnight with lows in the upper 30s and low 40s.

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A convergence zone will settle into mountain passes around I-90 and US-2 ramping up snow totals in the area. Snow levels will be around 3000′ with up to 10″ possible. The Winter Weather Advisory will remain in effect until 11pm.  Be sure to monitor pass travel if driving through the mountains overnight. 

Cooler weather with snow is forecast over Stevens and White Passes

Snow could affect Stevens and White Passes through Sunday evening. (FOX 13 Seattle)

On and off showers will be around on Monday as the disturbance exists the area.  A weak ridge will build in, bringing a short break in the rain, but will return by Tuesday evening. 

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Skies dry a bit by Monday.

A weak ridge will give us a temporary break in the rain. 

Stray showers and cooler air in the wake of Sunday’s cold front will lead to a cooler 

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Forecast highs around Western Washington on Monday.

Another cool day around the region as highs only climb into the mid 50s in some spots.

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Emerson Elementary closure: Flooding from broken fountain

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Emerson Elementary closure: Flooding from broken fountain


A broken water fountain inside Emerson Elementary School in South Seattle has caused significant damage to the second floor of the building, and classes on Friday and Monday have been canceled.

The water fountain caused significant damage to the school’s classrooms, supplies, and materials on both floors of the school located at 9709 60th Ave. S. in South Seattle, Emerson Elementary announced.

In response to the damage, classes have been canceled, and Emerson will remain closed for an extended period while substantial repairs are made to allow students and staff to return to a safe and healthy school building.

“We understand this situation may cause concern or inconvenience. Please know the health and safety of our students and staff is always our top priority,” Wilson wrote. “We will continue to communicate any important changes and updates, including information about transportation options.”

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Sack lunches provided after Emerson Elementary closure

In a letter, Keyunda Wilson, the Principal of Emerson Elementary School, stated that in order to support student meal programs, the school district’s culinary service team will provide sack lunches on Friday and Monday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sack lunches will be provided at two locations, including Emerson Elementary and the Lake Washington Apartments located at 9061 Seward Park Ave. S.

Additionally, Wilson noted the district is actively coordinating a transition for students to Old Van Asselt, located at 7201 Beacon Ave. S. in Seattle.

The timeline for the beginning of school at Old Van Asselt has yet to be determined, and updates will be shared as they become available.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.

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Mayor Harrell Celebrates CARE Department Two-Year Anniversary and Permanent Responder Program  – Office of the Mayor

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Mayor Harrell Celebrates CARE Department Two-Year Anniversary and Permanent Responder Program  – Office of the Mayor


Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell celebrated the two-year anniversary of the creation of the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department, combining Seattle’s 911 Center with the new Community Crisis Responder (CCR) team. Initially launched as a small team with limited hours and service area, CCRs steadily expanded in size and footprint and have been successfully and safely dispatched to over 6,700 incidents over the past two years as an alternative to a police response. This integrated model pairs call-taking and dispatch with unarmed behavioral health responders, giving Seattle a new way to respond to non-violent crisis calls while preserving police and fire resources for where they are needed most. 

“I’m proud to celebrate two years of the CARE Department and our Community Crisis Responder pilot program, which is now becoming a permanent part of Seattle’s public safety system. CARE represents the fulfillment of our vision for a comprehensive approach to public safety – a third branch working alongside police and fire to ensure every resident receives the right response at the right time,” said Mayor Harrell. “I want to thank Chief Barden and all the dedicated CARE employees for their exceptional work connecting people in crisis with compassionate care and vital services. I look forward to celebrating this department’s continued success for many years to come.” 

Under the new police contract announced by Mayor Harrell earlier this week, there are no longer any limits on how many CARE responders can be hired and they can be solo dispatched to low-acuity emergency calls. Mayor Harrell’s public safety sales tax plan would provide $9.5 million to double the number of CARE Community Crisis Responders (CCR) with 24 new positions in 2026, as well as supervisors, a new training manager, and additional equipment. The expansion will increase the number of CCRs on staff and extend service hours, ensuring more Seattle residents have access to compassionate, effective crisis response. The investment will also add 12 dispatcher and call taker positions to ensure the 911 Center, which has already fielded more than 581,000 calls and texts in 2025, is fully staffed.   

“Today we are significantly closer to achieving the vision of three co-equal departments of first responders, and a Seattle 911 equipped to send the best first response to a call. Philosophically, the police and fire departments represent physical safety and health provision; and the CARE department represents mental and emotional health provision,” said CARE Chief Amy Barden. “All three departments should and must be anchored in a philosophy of rehabilitation. I congratulate the pilot team of CARE responders and express my gratitude to the outstanding professionals in Seattle 911 who have made all this progress possible, who have converted a theory and a dream into reality.” 

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The Seattle CARE department represents a new paradigm in public safety, a third City department which works in partnership with police and fire and is focused on helping people in need of behavioral health care. Seattle’s unique approach to diversified emergency response is designed to connect people in crisis with help and free up police resources to answer the calls where they’re needed most. CARE’s model and practices were highlighted by the National League of Cities as a case study of the “Community Response Model” as part of their Reimagining Public Safety Initiative. 

Since launching in late 2023 as a limited pilot of six responders focused on Downtown and the Chinatown-International District, the CCR program has steadily expanded and demonstrated strong results. In 2024, the pilot expanded to additional neighborhoods and seven days a week with 10 additional responders. In early 2025, it added more CCRs and expanded citywide, responding to more than 5,000 incidents citywide. Today, CCRs operate citywide seven days a week to ensure reliable response times and the ability to surge resources to emerging needs in partnership with 9-1-1.  

CARE recently launched a digital dashboard, enabling the public to view data from 2024 to date, showing call volume by precinct, the busiest times of day for Community Crisis Responders and most frequent call types. 

What People Are Saying 

Charlotte Joseph, Deputy Chief CARE 

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“Seattle 9-1-1 is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with our public safety partners at SPD, SFD, and the Community Crisis Responders with the goal of providing the community with the best first response. The work done in 9-1-1 is essential to the public safety ecosystem. We remain dedicated to employee development, as we focus on enhancing skillsets and knowledge about the alternative response options and best practices within public safety.” 

Catriana Hernandez, CARE Crisis Response Manager 

“We are beyond excited to celebrate our two-year anniversary. It was no small feat in standing up a new program. This has only been made possible through our partnership with local government, public safety, and community services. They have tirelessly supported our emerging nationwide vision of a more holistic, adaptable, and data-driven approach to mental health emergencies” 



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