The Seahawks are reuniting a familiar defensive duo in Seattle, as Zach Orr is set to join Mike Macdonald’s staff for the 2026 season. Orr, who just wrapped up a two-year stint as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, will now take over as the Seahawks’ inside linebackers coach.
According to reports, Orr had the opportunity to take on the same role with the Cowboys but opted to follow Macdonald to Seattle - a move that speaks volumes about their long-standing professional relationship and shared defensive philosophy.
Orr and Macdonald go way back in Baltimore. Their coaching paths first crossed in 2017, and they worked together through 2020.
After a brief separation, the two reunited in 2022 when Macdonald returned to the Ravens as defensive coordinator and Orr resumed his role as inside linebackers coach. That pairing helped shape one of the most disciplined and aggressive defensive units in the league.
It’s also worth remembering that Orr’s ties to Baltimore run even deeper. He played linebacker for the Ravens from 2014 to 2016, during which time Macdonald was cutting his teeth as a coaching intern and defensive assistant. That player-coach connection laid the foundation for a coaching partnership that’s now heading to the Pacific Northwest.
For Seattle, bringing in Orr isn’t just about adding a coach with coordinator experience - it’s about continuity. Macdonald is clearly building a staff that shares his vision and understands his system from the inside out. Orr’s familiarity with Macdonald’s schemes and expectations should help fast-track the Seahawks’ defensive transition as they enter a new era under their young head coach.
While Orr might be stepping back into a more focused positional role, don’t overlook the impact he can have. His experience calling plays and managing an entire defense will be invaluable in the meeting rooms and on the practice field. And for a Seahawks team looking to recapture the defensive identity that once defined its championship core, that kind of leadership could be a difference-maker.
This move is another sign that Macdonald is surrounding himself with trusted voices - coaches who not only know his system but have helped build it. Seattle’s defense will look different in 2026, and with Orr in the fold, it’s starting to take shape with some familiar fingerprints.