Mike Macdonald came away from the Seattle Seahawks’ 13-10 win over the New England Patriots on Wednesday night with plenty to unpack, and he did exactly that when he joined Brock Huard and Mike Salk on Seattle Sports to walk through the season opener.
The Seahawks opened the year with a narrow win, and Macdonald spent much of the conversation focused on how the night unfolded once Sam Darnold’s injury altered the flow of the game. He gave an injury update on Darnold, then explained how that setback affected the plan and changed the way the offense had to operate.
Drew Lock’s work also came up as Macdonald broke down the quarterback’s performance and the overall offensive operation. He talked about how the game seemed to define itself as it went along, with field position playing a major role in how the offense functioned. Macdonald also addressed the procedure penalties that need cleaning up and touched on the language used in play calling.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Macdonald reflected on the atmosphere at Lumen Field for the banner unveiling and the energy around the night. He also discussed the Hard Knocks experience and what it has meant for showing Seahawks culture.
The interview also turned to the details of the game itself, including the respect between players and coaches, the in-game adjustments made against the Patriots, and the way the coaching staff prepares the defensive backs. Macdonald singled out Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s playmaking on the touchdown, praised Jadarian Price’s “decisive” performance, and highlighted Josh Jobe’s clutch play.
He also provided injury updates on Nick Emmanwori and Tory Horton, then revisited the Sam Darnold injury timeline later in the discussion. Macdonald addressed whether Drew Lock is similar to Darnold and wrapped up by talking about young Jack Macdonald.
In Other News...
Drake Maye Hit Could Leave Patriots Fans Wanting More After Loss
Drake Maye gave the Patriots a mixed afternoon in Seattle, moving the ball well enough to keep New England in striking range but also giving the Seahawks plenty of help along the way. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, yet the three interceptions and three sacks were enough to tilt a tight game that ended 13-10 in Seattles favor.
The sequence that drew the most attention came when Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall was flagged for unnecessary roughness after a late hit on Maye, a play the NFL is now reviewing for possible further punishment. Maye stayed in the game after the hit, and while the Patriots left with another narrow loss, they now have a short week to reset before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Keep Targeting Seahawks Talent After Another Seattle Departure
The Raiders interest in former Seahawks talent has not slowed down, and Bryce Cabeldue is the latest name to follow that path. Las Vegas claimed the rookie offensive lineman off waivers after Seattle moved on, adding another player with familiarity to the Seahawks recent roster churn and another piece for a group that has been reshaped under head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously served as Seattles offensive coordinator.
Cabeldue entered the league as a 2025 sixth-round pick and saw action in a small but useful sample last season, logging snaps at multiple spots along the offensive line. For Seattle, his departure is another reminder of how quickly late-round development projects can become roster casualties, while for the Raiders it continues a clear pattern of looking toward familiar Seahawks connections as they build out their depth. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Opener Chaos Turned A Tense Win Into Something Else
The NFL season opener at Lumen Field had enough on-field edge already, but the scene in the stands briefly stole the attention away from the Seahawks and Patriots. A dispute over seating escalated when a Patriots fan allegedly would not move from seats belonging to other spectators, and what began as an argument turned into a physical confrontation that drew in ushers, security and police before order was restored.
For a few tense minutes, the football game was secondary to the disruption above it, a reminder of how quickly a night at the stadium can veer off script. The fan was eventually handcuffed, and while the crowd settled back in, the incident lingered as one of the stranger moments of an opener that already had plenty of bite. [Read more 🡒]