Aden Durde: From London Warriors to NFL Head Coach Candidate - The Seahawks DC Who’s Turning Heads
The Cleveland Browns made waves this week by firing head coach Kevin Stefanski and immediately setting their sights on two intriguing candidates: Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde. While Monken is a familiar name in coaching circles, it’s Durde - a lesser-known figure to casual fans - who’s quickly becoming one of the most fascinating stories of this hiring cycle.
If you’re not deeply plugged into the Seahawks, or didn’t follow his stints with the Cowboys or Falcons, you might be wondering: Who is Aden Durde? And why are the Browns - and potentially other teams - so interested in him?
Let’s break it down.
An Unlikely Path to the NFL's Inner Circle
Durde’s journey to the doorstep of an NFL head coaching job is anything but conventional. Born in England, he played professional football in Scotland and Germany before landing on the fringes of the NFL as a practice squad player. His coaching career began across the pond too, as defensive coordinator for the London Warriors in Britain’s BAFA league.
That kind of grassroots beginning is rare in the NFL - but it’s also part of what makes Durde’s rise so compelling.
He entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2014 as a coaching intern with the Dallas Cowboys. From there, he caught on with Dan Quinn, following him to Atlanta when Quinn became head coach of the Falcons.
Durde stayed with Quinn throughout his tenure there, then rejoined him in Dallas as the Cowboys’ defensive line coach. When Quinn was hired as the Commanders’ head coach, he took secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. with him.
But in a telling move, Durde didn’t follow. Instead, he was offered the defensive coordinator job in Seattle by new head coach Mike Macdonald.
Coaching Under a Defensive Mastermind
Now, here’s where things get interesting - and a bit complicated. Macdonald, fresh off his success as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, is widely considered one of the brightest defensive minds in the league. He also calls the defensive plays for Seattle, which means Durde, while holding the coordinator title, isn’t the one with the headset on game day.
That dynamic can make it tough for outsiders to fully appreciate Durde’s impact. It’s the same challenge Eric Bieniemy faced in Kansas City under Andy Reid. When the head coach is the play-caller, it’s easy for the coordinator’s contributions to get overshadowed.
But make no mistake - Durde’s fingerprints are all over this Seahawks defense.
A Revived Seahawks Defense - and a Rising Reputation
Seattle’s defense had slipped in the final years of Pete Carroll’s tenure. But under Macdonald and Durde, it’s been reborn.
This isn’t a unit carried by one dominant group or a single superstar. Instead, it’s a balanced, disciplined defense that plays smart, fast, and together - the kind of unit that reflects strong coaching at every level.
Veterans like DeMarcus Lawrence have thrived. Lawrence, in fact, cited Durde as a key reason he signed with Seattle and has turned in one of his best seasons.
But it’s not just the vets. Rookies like Nick Emmanwori have stepped up in a big way, and under-the-radar players like Drake Thomas, Josh Jobe, and Ty Okada have made meaningful contributions.
That kind of across-the-board development doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a sign of a well-run defensive operation - and a coordinator who knows how to reach players, regardless of where they are on the depth chart.
The Leadership Factor
While Durde’s play-calling resume might be light, his leadership credentials are not. Those who’ve worked with him describe him as a unifying force - a coach who commands respect in the locker room and knows how to bring out the best in his players.
That’s exactly what NFL owners are looking for in a head coach. Yes, X’s and O’s matter.
But in today’s NFL, the head coach is often more CEO than coordinator. They need to manage egos, set a culture, and make the big-picture decisions that shape a franchise.
Durde checks those boxes.
And let’s not forget - most head coaches don’t call plays. They hire smart coordinators to handle that responsibility while they steer the ship. So the fact that Durde hasn’t called plays in Seattle may not be the red flag some think it is.
What’s Next?
Durde is set to interview with the Browns, and according to league insiders, other teams may soon be lining up as well. His name might not have been on the radar at the start of the hiring cycle, but it’s there now - and gaining traction fast.
If he lands a head coaching job this year, it’ll be a testament to both his coaching acumen and his ability to lead. And if not, it feels like only a matter of time before he gets his shot.
For now, Durde remains a key part of one of the NFL’s most improved defenses. But the league is watching - and it’s clear that this once-unheralded coach from the UK has earned a place in the conversation.
Aden Durde’s story isn’t just about where he came from. It’s about where he’s headed. And right now, that path looks like it’s pointing straight toward the top.