The Seattle Seahawks are back on the NFL’s biggest stage, set to face off against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl - and while the spotlight often shines brightest on quarterbacks and offensive fireworks, don’t sleep on what’s happening on the other side of the ball.
Yes, Sam Darnold’s resurgence, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s breakout, Kenneth Walker III’s explosiveness, and Klint Kubiak’s play-calling have all powered Seattle’s run. But if the Seahawks are going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in franchise history, it’ll likely be because their defense continues to play at the elite level it’s shown throughout the postseason. And that all starts with head coach Mike Macdonald.
Macdonald isn’t just leading this team - he’s calling the shots on defense. Literally. And if Seattle beats New England on Sunday, Macdonald will make a very specific kind of history: he’d become the first head coach in Super Bowl history to win the game while serving as his team’s primary defensive play-caller.
That’s right - in nearly six decades of Super Bowl matchups, from Vince Lombardi’s Packers in 1967 to last year’s Eagles, no head coach has ever called the defensive plays and also walked off with the title. Sure, plenty of head coaches have come from a defensive background - Bill Belichick, for one - and many have had a strong hand in shaping their team’s identity on that side of the ball. But none have actually held the headset and called the defense in a Super Bowl win.
That’s what makes this such a unique moment. Macdonald isn’t just managing the game from the sideline - he’s in the trenches with his defense, dialing up the pressure, disguising coverages, and matching wits with opposing offensive coordinators.
And so far, it’s working. His unit has been flying around the field, playing with discipline, aggression, and a clear understanding of the scheme.
They’re not just reacting - they’re dictating.
If that blueprint holds against the Patriots, Macdonald won’t just be adding a ring to his résumé - he’ll be carving out a place in NFL coaching lore. Because while offensive-minded head coaches have long dominated the Super Bowl winner’s circle, Macdonald has a chance to flip the script.
And it’s not just about the history books. It’s about how this Seahawks team has been built.
They’re balanced, yes, but their defense is the heartbeat. It’s what’s gotten them through tight games, what’s shut down elite quarterbacks, and what’s given them the edge when it mattered most.
That’s a direct reflection of Macdonald’s philosophy and play-calling.
So when the Seahawks take the field on Super Bowl Sunday, keep an eye on more than just the scoreboard. Watch how Seattle’s defense moves.
Watch how they adjust. Watch how they swarm.
Because if they do what they’ve been doing all postseason, Mike Macdonald won’t just be coaching - he’ll be making history.