The Seattle Seahawks have officially declared the appointment of Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, as their new head coach. Macdonald, at 36 years old, is now the youngest head coach in the NFL, bringing a reputation as one of the league’s brightest defensive minds.
The official announcement came after a second meeting, following the initial interview in Baltimore. Macdonald is set to sign a six-year contract, as confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter from reliable sources. Expressing his excitement, Macdonald stated, “What an honor…we are super excited to be here.”
Macdonald’s coaching journey started as a coaching intern with the Ravens in 2014, and after various coaching roles, he became the defensive coordinator for Michigan in 2021 before returning to coordinate the Ravens’ defense in 2022.
The Seahawks, transitioning from 72-year-old Pete Carroll to the 36-year-old Macdonald, mark a significant generational change. Macdonald emerged as a highly sought-after head-coaching candidate this year, interviewing with multiple teams before landing with the Seahawks.
With the coaching change, Macdonald’s immediate focus will be on assembling a new coaching staff, addressing personnel changes, and evaluating the starting quarterback situation for the 2023 season. The decision on Geno Smith’s future as the starting quarterback must be made before Feb. 16, when his $12.7 million base salary for the next season becomes fully guaranteed.
As Macdonald takes over the helm, the Ravens are now tasked with finding a replacement for him as defensive coordinator, considering internal options such as Anthony Weaver, Dennard Wilson, Zachary Orr, and Chris Hewitt. Orr, a former NFL linebacker, is being considered for the role of defensive coordinator with the Seahawks, having worked with Macdonald in Baltimore for the past two seasons.
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