Josh Bynes has traded in his helmet for a headset, but the linebacker-turned-coach is still making an impact - this time from the sidelines in Seattle. Several years removed from his playing days, Bynes has found himself reunited with a familiar face: Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks’ head coach and his former position coach in Baltimore.
Their connection goes back to 2019, when Macdonald was coaching linebackers for the Ravens and Bynes was right in the thick of it on the field. Fast forward to 2024, and that bond has come full circle. When Macdonald landed the top job in Seattle following the 2023 season, Bynes didn’t hesitate to join his staff as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach.
“When Mike got hired here, it was really a no-brainer,” Bynes said during a recent radio appearance. “If there was anybody I was going to come to do it for, it was Mike.
Obviously, it’s been a great decision. I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a lot along the way.”
But this wasn’t just about familiarity or loyalty. Bynes saw something in Macdonald’s leadership - a rare ability to connect with players on a deeper level. Not just as athletes, but as people.
“He just talks to you like he’s in your shoes,” Bynes explained. “That’s a hard thing to do for a lot of people because it’s always the X’s and O’s and things that are on paper.
But he wants to be in your shoes, see what you see. He wants your vision.”
It’s that player-first mindset that’s become a defining trait of Macdonald’s coaching style - one that blends tactical brilliance with emotional intelligence. He’s not just drawing up schemes; he’s asking, “How can I help this guy become the best version of himself on the field?”
That message has resonated with Bynes, who’s now applying those same principles in his own linebacker room. He’s not just teaching technique - he’s building trust, demanding accountability, and making sure his players are in the best possible position to succeed.
“He’s really big on the players and them being in the right positions to make plays,” Bynes said. “He puts it on himself to be able to make things happen.
He takes ownership and accountability all the time, and I think that’s very rare. You don’t have guys that do that in the way Mike does.”
That culture of accountability and connection helped fuel Seattle’s run to a championship. In Super Bowl LX, the Seahawks put together a complete performance, dominating New England 29-13 behind a suffocating defense and balanced team effort. It was a culmination of the mindset Macdonald preaches - and Bynes helps reinforce - every single day.
“At the end of the day, we’re trying to go 1-0,” Bynes said. It’s a simple mantra, but one that speaks volumes about the focus and discipline this team carries.
While Bynes is helping build something special in Seattle, he’s also keeping a close eye on Baltimore, where another former Ravens assistant is stepping into a big role. Jesse Minter, who worked with the Ravens from 2017 to 2020, is now the head coach in Baltimore - and Bynes has no doubt he’s the right man for the job.
“Jesse… knew exactly what he was doing,” Bynes said. “What I loved about Jesse is that he’s patient, calm and he’s a good teacher.
He’s not a guy that’s going to go crazy on you… but he has a welcoming spirit and invites you in. He’ll teach you the little things you might not have thought of.”
That teaching mindset, paired with a gritty edge, makes Minter a natural fit for the Ravens’ identity.
“They picked the right guy. Jesse is a no-brainer,” Bynes said.
“It’s going to be a great fit for what Baltimore wants. He has that same Baltimore spirit - rugged, tough.
He might look nice on the outside, but he’s ready to kick your ass.”
As Bynes sees it, both Macdonald and Minter are cut from the same cloth - smart, steady, and unafraid to lead from the front. And now, as a coach himself, Bynes is carrying their lessons forward, helping shape the next generation of defenders in Seattle.