John Schneider’s decision to move on from Pete Carroll looks even sharper now, and this Seahawks-Commanders matchup is a fresh reminder why.
Back in January 2024, Schneider went hunting for a coach who could “change the marketplace.” He passed on the familiar route and went after Mike Macdonald, pulling him out of Washington while Dan Quinn ended up in Washington instead.
Quinn had the Carroll connection, but Schneider wanted something different. He called Macdonald a “disruptor,” and when he introduced the then 36-year-old, Schneider put it plainly: “This is the future right here,”
That bet has aged beautifully in Seattle. Macdonald inherited a roster Schneider had already stocked with young talent from the Russell Wilson trade, plus veterans like Leonard Williams, Julian Love and Jarran Reed. The Seahawks won 10 games in Macdonald’s first season, though they still missed the playoffs and Macdonald made a change at offensive coordinator, firing Ryan Grubb.
Then came the roster shakeup that followed. Geno Smith and DK Metcalf did not want to play for Macdonald, and Seattle replaced them with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. The result was a Super Bowl title in Macdonald’s second season.
The Commanders, meanwhile, have gone the other way. Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels looked like an instant success story in 2024, even after Washington’s NFC title game run ended in a 55-23 loss to Philadelphia. Quinn finished that season 12-5 and added two playoff wins, but since then it has collapsed into a 5-14 stretch, including an 0-2 start heading into this game against Seattle.
Daniels’ health has not changed the picture much. Since 2025, he is 2-7 as a starter, while Marcus Mariota is 3-7. Seattle will face Mariota this time after Daniels reinjured his left elbow last week.
As Mike Sando wrote this week, Washington’s NFC title game appearance seemed to convince the Commanders that they were close. They added offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, receiver Deebo Samuel and others, but the roster still skewed older and lacked the kind of long-term core that Seattle has built.
Seattle, by contrast, has surged to the top of the league. The Hawks beat Quinn, Daniels and the Commanders 38-14 in November, and they are 13-1, including the playoffs, since that win. Washington is 2-8 over that span.
As Sando wrote, “The gap is wide and appears to be getting wider …”
Like last year, that should be obvious when these teams meet again.
In Other News...
Seahawks Fans Finally Have A Real Zach Charbonnet Timeline
Zach Charbonnet is still on the Seahawks Physically Unable to Perform list, which means Seattle has already ruled him out for at least the first four games of the season. For a backfield that was expected to lean on his versatility, the update gives the team a clearer runway, even if it also leaves the early part of the schedule in the hands of other running backs.
Mike Macdonald said Charbonnet could be back on the practice field as soon as next week, which at least puts a possible Week 5 return into view. Seattle is taking the cautious route with his recovery, and the next checkpoint will be whether he can ramp up cleanly once the team starts working him back in. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks' Streak Is Over And One Concern Suddenly Feels Real
The Seahawks had no shortage of offense in a wild 33-31 loss to the Commanders, but the game turned on the kind of mistakes that can undo even a long winning run. Seattles 12-game streak came to an end after three turnovers helped Washington pile up 20 points off giveaways, including a pick-six by Kain Medrano that swung the momentum in a game the Seahawks could not quite claw back.
What made the defeat sting beyond the final score was how familiar some of the problems looked. Seattle is still dealing with injuries in the secondary, and the turnover issues, especially fumbles, have lingered long enough to become a real concern. Add in an inconsistent running game, and the loss felt like more than just a bad night, it was the kind of reminder that the margin gets thin fast when the mistakes start stacking up. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Saw Their Biggest Concern Exposed In First Loss
Marcus Mariota stepped in for the injured Jayden Daniels and gave Washington exactly the sort of steady, opportunistic performance that can turn a tight game on its head. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and threw three touchdowns, while Kain Medrano added another jolt by taking an interception back for a score as the Commanders edged Seattle 33-31. Sam Darnold was back for the Seahawks and did his part with four touchdown passes, but even that wasnt enough to keep the winning streak rolling.
Seattles 12-game run finally ended in a game that laid bare the kind of defensive lapse that can undo even a productive day on offense. The Seahawks put up points and still found themselves chasing after Washingtons defense and return game made the biggest swings, a reminder that one loss can expose more than the final score shows. For a team that had been finding ways to survive, this was the sort of defeat that lingers because it came with the warning sign attached. [Read more 🡒]