Insider: Seahawks’ Defense Can Be Elite Even Without Slew of Stars
The Seattle Seahawks are undergoing a transition, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but insiders close to the organization remain confident that this unit can still perform at an elite levelโeven without the familiar big-name stars of the past.
Long gone are the days of the “Legion of Boom,” the powerhouse secondary that terrorized offenses in the early 2010s. Since then, the Seahawks have seen the departure of multiple Pro Bowl talents, including Bobby Wagner, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs. While the loss of leadership and playmaking ability is notable, the front office and coaching staff believe the current roster has the depth, speed, and intelligence to build something special again.
Under new head coach Mike Macdonald, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, the Seahawks are embracing a scheme built on versatility, disguise, and relentless pressure. Macdonald is known for crafting top-tier defenses without relying on household names, and that philosophy fits the current Seahawks roster like a glove.
โWe donโt need superstars at every level to be elite,โ a team insider shared. โWhat we need is cohesion, accountability, and smart footballโand thatโs what Macdonald is bringing to this group.โ
Seattle has invested heavily in recent drafts to shore up their defense, selecting high-upside talents like Devon Witherspoon, Boye Mafe, and Riq Woolen. All three have flashed signs of becoming cornerstone players, particularly Witherspoon, who had a standout rookie season in 2024. In addition, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu is fully healthy and poised for a breakout year, while free-agent additions like Rayshawn Jenkins and Jerome Baker bring veteran presence and flexibility.
The Seahawks are also counting on their front seven to step up. With Dre’Mont Jones anchoring the interior and second-year lineman Derick Hall showing improvement in camp, Seattle believes it can generate consistent pressureโsomething that has eluded them in recent seasons.
While there may not be a Richard Sherman or Earl Thomas leading the charge, this new generation of Seahawks defenders is hungry, disciplined, and playing under a coach with a track record of maximizing talent.
โDonโt sleep on us,โ one defensive player said during OTA sessions. โWeโre going to surprise a lot of people this year.โ
If everything falls into place, Seattleโs defense could once again become a force in the NFCโproof that star power isnโt always the key to elite performance.