Seattle, WA

Young Seahawks Coming of Age, Embracing Roles For Suddenly Dominant Defense

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2024

Young Seahawks Coming of Age, Embracing Roles For Suddenly Dominant Defense

SEATTLE, Wash. – Amid a bizarre sequence midway through the third quarter, a late timeout called by coach Mike Macdonald negated a potential drive ending pass breakup, forcing the Seattle Seahawks to have to try to stop the Arizona Cardinals for a second time on 4th and 1.

After Kyler Murray’s first fourth down incompletion intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t count, the speedy quarterback faked the handoff and rolled out to his right, initially looking to turn the corner and run for the first down. But that plan was thwarted by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who turned on the afterburners chasing after him in pursuit, forcing Murray to try to loft the ball over the defender’s head to receiver Michael Wilson instead.

In the perfect place at the perfect time with Witherspoon’s pressure speeding up the quarterback, safety Coby Bryant took full advantage of a gift-wrapped interception opportunity, as Murray’s throw sailed over Wilson into his hands for the pick. Off to the races, following a block by Witherspoon, he sprinted down the sideline with cheers raining down from the crowd and capped off the 69-yard touchdown return by paying homage to legend Marshawn Lynch with a not-so-subtle crotch grab.

While acknowledging that the NFL will likely fine him for that gesture, that’s a price Bryant will be more than willing to pay after the biggest play of his career thus far lifted the Seahawks to a 16-6 win over the Cardinals, vaulting them into a tie for first place in the NFC West.

“I just saw Kyler rolling out and the guy was leaking out a little bit, so I was going to attach to him,” Bryant explained. “Something in my mind, honestly. … I’m just like ‘he might just float this in the air and it might get overthrown’ because of Spoon blitzing or whatever he was doing. I’m gonna have to go back and look at that. But hey, he caused the play for me and he floated up in the air and I just caught it. I don’t think I’ve ever ran that fast.”

Winning their second straight against a division rival with dominant defense leading the way, it’s only fitting two of Seattle’s best young players on that side of the football contributed to the most impactful play of the game, immediately turning a promising Arizona drive into points in a game where neither offense could find much traction. Allowing less than 20 points in each of their previous three games, youth has been served at all three levels to fuel the defensive revitalization.

In last week’s win over the 49ers, Witherspoon got his hands on three pass breakups, including deflecting one up in the air that led to an interception for defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and an eventual field goal for Jason Myers. Though he didn’t have any pass breakups, Bryant made two crucial tackles on San Francisco’s second-to-last possession, including a third down stop on Jauan Jennings that forced a punt and set up Geno Smith’s game-winning touchdown drive.

Away from the secondary, linebacker Tyrice Knight has ran with his shot to replace departed starter Tyrel Dodson in the starting lineup, racking up at least nine combined tackles in the past two games. But he did more than simply amass tackles on Sunday, registering his first career sack on a blitz and devouring Murray as he tried to step up in the pocket on the game’s opening drive to force a punt.

If not for a replay reversal, Knight’s afternoon could have been even more memorable. After defensive tackle Leonard Williams hit Murray’s elbow while he tried to throw in the first quarter, the ball squirted out and officials initially ruled it a fumble with the rookie scooping it up and returning it for six points. Unfortunately, the play didn’t stand with replay officials changing it to an incomplete pass.

With Knight and Ernest Jones manning the middle, as evidenced once again on Sunday against a Cardinals squad that entered the game with a top-five rushing attack, the Seahawks look to be in great hands at linebacker after receiving shaky play there earlier in the season. Proud of how the rookie has performed thus far, Macdonald tabbed his rare professionalism as the primary reason he has found early success.

“I think the middle of our defense right now is playing pretty dang good. Happy for him. He’s doing a lot during the week to prepare. He is just another example — I sound like a broken record — but it’s like just stack good moments, good days, good reps, good preparation, take care of your body, study the heck out of the game plan, over communicate, take one play at a time. That’s just how you have to do it.

“To his credit, that’s what he does. There is no extra about him. It’s just business as usual and he’s very poised, even in awesome NFL environments. You got to give him credit for that for being a rookie.”

Even in the trenches, the Seahawks have received ample contributions from young players along the defensive line in their recent surge. Making his presence felt right away, Boye Mafe ambushed Murray on the second snap of the game, bringing the quarterback down for a sack. Outplaying his two-tackle stat line, Byron Murphy II also held his own in the interior, making it difficult for James Conner to find any running room between the tackles with penetration and eating up double teams while providing a few pressures of his own collapsing the pocket.

Of course, it would be remiss not to mention the sensational play of Seattle’s seasoned veterans on Sunday, starting with Williams. The Cardinals didn’t have an answer for the versatile defensive lineman, who ate their guards alive all afternoon to the tune of six tackles, 2.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. At the other defensive tackle spot, Jarran Reed drew praise from Macdonald after pitching in with four tackles, a partial sack, and a quarterback hit.

Elsewhere, as the elder statesman of the secondary, safety Julian Love had two pass breakups, including a near-highlight reel interception along the sideline where he showcased elite closing speed to jump the pass. Continuing to wreak havoc at linebacker next to Knight, Jones led the team with 10 tackles, and now has 47 combined tackles in four games since being acquired via trade from the Titans last month.

Those four players stand out as the leadership foundation for the Seahawks, with Williams saying several of them spoke prior to the 49ers game to talk about being in “playoff mode” from here on out, a meeting that has proven to be most beneficial. To achieve the goal of making the postseason, they will have to continue elevating their games to bring out the best in their peers, setting example with how they prepare during the week and handle their business on Sunday.

Following the lead of their veteran teammates, youngsters such as Witherspoon, Bryant, and Knight have embraced their respective roles and had a major influence on the team climbing back to the top of the NFC West standings. Playing with a heightened urgency, they have been a vital part in the defense’s rapid turnaround and with six games left to play, they have undoubtedly created a tangible excitement about what Seattle can accomplish down the stretch with the division up for grabs.

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Seattle, WA

Here’s why the Blue Angels in Seattle on Monday

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Here’s why the Blue Angels in Seattle on Monday

SEATTLE – Known for their high-flying skills above the skies during air shows, the Blue Angels will be in Seattle once again on Monday.

But with Seafair not until the summer, many are wondering why the Navy pilots are in the Emerald City ahead of schedule.

Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets are flying The Diamond Roll (four planes in formation), doing a 360-degree roll as one unit, flying at 400 mph over Lake Washington for the Seafair weekend in Seattle. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Keep reading to find out why the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are in Seattle on Jan. 12.

Why are the Blue Angels in Seattle now?

The Blue Angels returned to Seattle on Monday to begin preseason planning for the 2026 Boeing Seafair Air Show.

Pilots will assess airshow locations, scouting the skies and getting familiar with the landscape ahead of the Seafair Weekend Festival, when they perform in three separate air shows. Their visit brings the iconic Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets to the city, the aircraft pilots use during the air show.

Blue Angels pilots plan to stay in Seattle until Tuesday, coordinating with Seafair event organizers. Last year, only two Blue Angels pilots were in Seattle for preseason planning, instead of the entire squadron.

When are the Blue Angels coming back to Seattle?

The Blue Angels will fly back to western Washington for the 2026 Boeing Seafair Air Show, on Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, 2026.

They’ll also be in town for two practice runs on Thursday, July 30.

When is the 2026 Seafair Air Show?

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform in three air shows throughout Seafair weekend. They’re happening each afternoon on July 31 through Aug. 2 on Lake Washington and at Genesee Park.

The multi-day Seafair Weekend Festival also includes the Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Races, along with live entertainment, food and drinks, and family-friendly activities. Tickets for the festival go on sale in February.

Who are the Blue Angels?

The Blue Angels is a team of elite Navy flight demonstrators, showcasing their aviation skills in high-speed, precision aerobatic performances.

They perform in air shows across the U.S. each year, with the goal of inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country, displaying the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

Formed in 1946, this year marks the 80th year of the Blue Angels. They take pride in performing for audiences both at home and abroad, showcasing the excitement, precision, and power of Naval aviation.

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The Source: Information in this story came from U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Seafair, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks land 2 players on list of potential salary cap cuts in 2026

Published

23 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks land 2 players on list of potential salary cap cuts in 2026

No matter how the playoffs go for the Seatte Seahawks, general manager John Schneider and his team are looking at a very busy offseason ahead.

In addition to their usual preparations for the 2026 NFL draft, Seattle has a ton of important players who are about to become unrestricted free agents. That list includes special teams superstar Rashid Shaheed, running back Ken Walker and defensive standouts Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant.

It’s going to be really difficult to keep that entire group together, even with a lot of cap space projected to be open in 2026. The Seahawks may have to create room with some salary cap casualties after the season is over.

On that note, Over the Cap has listed a pair of Seattle players as potential cap casualties. Let’s review both of them.

OLB Uchenna Nwosu

Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) dives for a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) in the second half at Lumen Field. | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Coming in at No. 46 on OTC’s list is veteran edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, who has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit just over $20 million. Nwosu has been valuable when he’s on the field but he’s also missed a ton of time due to injuries and it will be difficult to justify his cap hit with so many other players to pay.

Seattle can save a little over $11.5 million if they cut Nwosu, before June 1 or after. However, they would also take on a dead money hit north of $8.5 million, which takes a lot of the flavor out of those cap savings.

In 45 games with the Seahawks, Nwosu has tallied 19.5 sacks, 52 QB hits, 24 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles and eight pass breakups.

That’s a lot of good production across the board as an all-around defender, but he’ll turn 30 years old before next season is over and there are a lot of mouths to feed for Mike Macdonald’s defense.

Over the Cap projects there’s a 58.5% chance that the Seahawks will wind up cutting him. Our best guess is that will be the case, especially if they want to pursue someone like Maxx Crosby on the trade market.

K Jason Myers

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks place kicker Jason Myers (5) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Levi’s Stadium. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The only other Seahawks player who made the list (at No. 77) was placekicker Jason Myers, where the team has an interesting choice to make.

Myers has been around since the 2019 season and he’s come through for them more often than not. In 117 games he’s converted 200 of 232 field goal attempts, coming out to 86.2%. On extra point attempts he’s gone 292/307 for 95.1%.

Those are very solid numbers for an NFL kicker, and when you have a solid option at this position you don’t mess with it.

Another factor working in Myers’ favor is that Seattle really can’t save all that much money by cutting him. According to OTC’s numbers the Seahawks would create $5.1 million in cap room by cutting him, with a dead money hit of $1,875,000.

Five million might get Seattle a decent backup for their interior offensive line, or another contributor to Mike Macdonald’s defense. It’s not enough to really move the needle for this roster, though.

OTC gives it a 52.5% chance that Myers will get cut, but we don’t see that happening. If they want to lower his cap hit, the Seahawks can create a little over $3 million for 2026 with an extension. That’s the only move they should be looking to make at this spot.

Kraken Extend Streak In Comeback OT Loss | Seattle Kraken

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kraken Extend Streak In Comeback OT Loss | Seattle Kraken

And while Dunn’s head coach insisted afterwards he doesn’t believe in “measuring stick games” the Kraken measured up fairly well in this one considering they played a pretty poor first period and needed half of the second frame to get any type of offense going against the league’s No. 2 defensive unit.

But they eventually got it going and the salvaged point, as Dunn mentioned, was huge in that it allowed the Kraken to remain in third place in the Pacific Division – just two points behind leaders Vegas and Edmonton – as they now embark on a five-city road trip. They extended their points streak to 10 games in the process, going 8-0-2 that stretch to transform a season hinging on the brink.

Mats Zuccarello got the overtime winner for Minnesota, converting a Kirill Kaprizov pass off a 2-on-1 break after the Kraken had been foiled just moments prior on their own odd-man rush. That foiled an outstanding night for Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer, who’d made several huge stops in both overtime and the third period to keep things tied, as well as prior to that frame to give his team the shot at a comeback.

The Kraken had spent the past week filling opposition nets with pucks but waited until the final 17 minutes to score their first goal of this game. By that point, they’d been trailing 2-0 since a pair of 42-foot wrist shot goals by Ryan Hartman and Brock Faber in the first period silenced the home crowd.

“The first period was awful, and our execution was probably the biggest part of that,” Dunn said. “It’s just tough when you’re chasing the game a little bit to start the game. So, we kind of set ourselves up for the second period to come out and play the right way and I thought as the game went on, we got a lot better.

“And I thought it was a pretty competitive game both ways. A lot of chances both ways.”

Grubauer kept things close from there, stopping 31 of 34 shots on the night to give his team a chance to get back in it.

Adam Larsson then got the Kraken on the board three minutes into the final period with a slap shot goal from the right circle after Dunn had rung one off the post on a prior blast seconds earlier. And the Kraken weren’t done yet.

The Wild ran into penalty trouble not long after and the Kraken capitalized on the power play with Matty Beniers banging home a net front rebound off a Jared McCann shot that lifted the home side into a 2-2 tie and sent the Climate Pledge Arena crowd into a frenzy.

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