‘Mentally Taxing’ — Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald Makes Feelings Clear on Rams Adding Trent McDuffie, Myles Garrett
The Seattle Seahawks enter the new season with plenty of confidence after finishing 14-3 and capping last year with a Super Bowl title. However, the rest of the NFC West has also spent the offseason loading up with star talent.
Despite that, head coach Mike Macdonald insists his attention remains firmly on Seattle rather than what division rivals are building.
Mike Macdonald Doesn’t Care About Rams Adding Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett
This offseason, the Rams added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson before completing a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett last month. On top of that, Aaron Donald could still return from retirement.
The 49ers have also wasted little time upgrading their roster. San Francisco added wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. They also traded for defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa and reunited with linebacker Dre Greenlaw to strengthen both sides of the ball.
Just a day ago, Macdonald was asked if he was worried about these additions.
“Yeah, I don’t care,” the Seahawks head coach said. “If you start worrying about what everybody else is doing, it’s just mentally taxing. It’s so much easier if you don’t.”
While Seattle knows exactly what both the 49ers and the Rams were capable of, Macdonald made it clear he is not spending valuable time tracking every move his division rivals make.
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Instead, the Seahawks believe their own progress deserves all of their energy.
“Let’s just worry about the Seahawks and being the best version of ourselves and getting better every day,” he added.
The Seahawks will meet the 49ers in Week 5, while both matchups against the Rams are scheduled during the final three weeks of the regular season. As a result, Macdonald has plenty of time before shifting his attention to Los Angeles and its revamped roster.
This offseason, the Seahawks also strengthened the squad by signing Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed to long-term extensions, selecting Jadarian Price with their first-round pick, and adding several young defensive contributors.
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Still, the offseason has not been entirely about arrivals. The Seahawks also watched Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe, and Tariq Woolen depart in free agency, creating new challenges ahead of the season.
Then, repeating as Super Bowl champions is one of the hardest jobs in the NFL. Still, Mike Macdonald has not changed his approach after lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
Rather than worrying about expectations or outside pressure, the Seahawks coach remains committed to helping his players improve every season and getting the best out of the roster.
“You don’t feel any different winning the Super Bowl,” Macdonald said. “I mean, it’s a blessing. It’s really cool, but you just go on about your life. People know it’s pretty historic, and there’s not many people to get that opportunity to do it – and that’s special – but I’ve got an 18-month-old kid at home, and that’s where most of our attention is. He doesn’t really care that we won this Super Bowl.”
For now, the Seahawks remain focused on preparation. With first-year players already at training camp and veterans reporting on July 24, Seattle’s coaching staff has officially entered football mode.
