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.”
Despite some overcast skies, thousands of Seattleites showed up in rainbow colors and bright smiles to celebrate the Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday.The march kicked off at 11 a.m. along Fourth Avenue in downtown, and wrapped up around 3:00 p.m. near Seattle Center.Seattle Pride traces its roots to 1974 and has grown into one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, drawing hundreds of thousands of people each year. (KOMO)
Here are three more coyote sightings reported to us in the past few days:
SATURDAY MORNING: Dwight emailed us this report:
At 9:53 this morning I saw a coyote walking down Brace Point Drive towards the Josslin building. He saw me and quickly changed direction and headed up California Drive. He looked healthy and happy, not starved and miserable .
THURSDAY EVENING: These next two came in almost simultaneously just after 8:30 pm Thursday via texts – this one, from 38th SW and SW Raymond:
This one, from 37th SW and SW Juneau:
You can browse our past sighting reports here.
The Seattle Seahawks are the defending champions following a fantastic run in 2025 which resulted in the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. Despite this, they’re not the favorites to win their division in 2026.
Instead, the Los Angeles Rams are the hot team, thanks in large part to the addition of Myles Garrett. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year does give them a huge boost, but the Seahawks know they can still win their division once again.
Here we dive into three reasons to believe that will be the case for Mike Macdonald and his team.
3. Passing attack will be improved
With Klint Kubiak leaving to take the head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders, Brian Fleury is set to take over as the offensive coordinator in Seattle. Fleury spent the past seven years with the San Francisco 49ers and was most recently their run game coordinator and tight ends coach.
He’s expected to feature a run-heavy offense once again, but that doesn’t mean the Seahawks aerial attack won’t be a problem for opposing teams. With Sam Darnold entering his second season with the team, he’s going to have far more comfort with his teammates. As Seahawks On SI’s Russell Baxter wrote, he’s also unsatisfied with his performance in the Super Bowl and wants to improve in 2026.
His motivation, along with the presence of Jaxson Smith-Njigba is enough for the offense to be as dangerous as they were last year. Rashid Shaheed having a full offseason with the team is a reason to believe they can be even better.
2. The run game will be a strength once again
Losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency was a blow, but the Seahawks made sure to enter the new season with just as much firepower in the ground game. Even with Zach Charbonnet still recovering from a torn ACL, the Seahawks have a strong unit.
Led by rookie Jadarian Price, Seattle also has Emanuel Wilson and George Holani. There might not be many proven options, but as Seahawks On SI’s Michael Hanich writes, the coaching staff trusts this unit.
Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury had success leading the rushing attack in San Francisco last year and his defensive background has him favoring a more violent and punishing rushing attack. That will allow the Seahawks to wear teams down with the ground game, even without Walker.
1. Mike Macdonald continues to build the defense to fit his vision
During his first season as head coach, Mike Macdonald led Seattle to the 11th best scoring defense, which was a massive jump from 25th the prior year. They shot up the leaderboard again in 2025, finishing with the No. 1 scoring defense, which is what led the way during their title run.
Macdonald made those improvements by building the defense to his preference. They have trusted veterans on the defensive line and have built a strong nickel defense with defensive back Nick Emmanwori as one of his key pieces.
This offseason, he added another versatile defensive back in Bud Clark, a speedy pass-rusher in Dante Fowler Jr., and a big-bodied cornerback in Julian Neal. Macdonald also allowed Boye Mafe to leave while putting Derick Hall in position to take on a larger load. All these moves have given them a defense that Macdonald can turn into an even better one than we saw last year.
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