The confetti may have just settled in Seattle, but the Seahawks are already back to work, balancing celebration with preparation. Fresh off their Super Bowl LX victory-a 29-13 win over the Patriots that showcased a bruising defense and a breakout performance from Kenneth Walker III-the franchise is shifting its focus to what comes next.
Let’s start with Walker, who etched his name into NFL history by becoming the first running back since 1997 to win Super Bowl MVP. His 135-yard performance was vintage power and finesse, the kind of ground game that takes over a championship stage.
The fans know it, too-“MVP” chants echoed through downtown Seattle during the victory parade, a fitting serenade for a player who ran through the Patriots like a man on a mission. Even general manager John Schneider couldn’t resist cracking a smile (and a joke) about what Walker’s playoff heroics might mean for future contract talks.
But while the city celebrates its second Lombardi Trophy, head coach Mike Macdonald is already navigating a critical offseason decision: replacing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who departed for the Las Vegas Raiders just days after the title win. Continuity is the name of the game here, and Macdonald isn’t wasting time. According to reports, the Seahawks are interviewing four internal candidates-Andrew Janocko, Jake Peetz, Justin Outten, and Mack Brown-this Thursday and Friday.
And it’s not just about filling a vacancy. It’s about preserving the offensive identity that helped this team average nearly 30 points per game in the postseason. That’s no small task, especially with the kind of chemistry that developed between quarterback Sam Darnold and rising star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Janocko, the current quarterbacks coach, worked closely with Darnold during what can only be described as a career renaissance. Darnold looked poised, confident, and in command throughout the playoff run-attributes that don’t happen by accident. Peetz, the passing game coordinator, has been instrumental in scheming up the kind of layered route concepts that let Smith-Njigba shine on the biggest stage.
Outten and Brown also bring strong resumes to the table. Outten, in particular, has drawn praise for engineering the late-season surge in Seattle’s ground game-no doubt a factor in Walker’s MVP-level performance.
Macdonald, who’s quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s sharpest young minds, made it clear during the NFL Honors that protecting the team’s culture is just as important as protecting a lead. He even took a lighthearted jab at internet comedian Druski for mispronouncing Smith-Njigba’s name-a moment that underscored how seriously this team takes respect and identity.
The Seahawks aren’t just riding a wave of momentum-they’re building something sustainable. With key free agents to re-sign and a critical coaching hire on the horizon, the front office knows the margin between contender and pretender can be razor-thin. But if this past season taught us anything, it’s that this group thrives under pressure, embraces its stars, and isn’t afraid to keep things in-house when the formula is working.
Seattle’s second Super Bowl wasn’t just a culmination-it was a statement. And if Macdonald and company get this next hire right, the Seahawks could be in position to keep that Lombardi window wide open.