Had the Chicago Bears pulled off a comeback win over the Los Angeles Rams, they’d be heading to Seattle for the NFC Championship. And if that had happened, you can bet fans of the Washington Commanders would’ve watched through their fingers - if they watched at all.
Why? Because the two men leading those teams - Ben Johnson and Mike Macdonald - were once at the top of Washington’s coaching wish list. And now, they’re both one win away from the Super Bowl.
Let’s rewind to early 2024. Adam Peters, fresh off being named Washington’s head of football operations, had his eyes locked on Ben Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator and one of the hottest names on the market. Johnson was widely seen as the crown jewel of that year’s coaching carousel - a young, innovative play-caller who had helped turn Detroit’s offense into a juggernaut.
But just as Washington’s brass was en route to Detroit for an in-person interview, news broke: Johnson had pulled out. He was staying in Detroit. The Commanders were left scrambling - and publicly embarrassed.
What didn’t make as many headlines at the time was that Peters had a backup plan. And it was a good one.
After Johnson bowed out, Washington shifted gears and zeroed in on another rising star: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. While Johnson was the flashy name, Macdonald had quietly built one of the most disciplined, suffocating defenses in the league.
His Ravens unit in 2023 allowed the fewest points in the NFL and led the league in expected points added (EPA). At just 37 years old, Macdonald was already drawing comparisons to some of the game’s sharpest defensive minds.
Peters believed he was close to landing him. But then Seahawks GM John Schneider entered the picture with a bigger offer. Macdonald took the job in Seattle.
Washington didn’t wait long to pivot again, hiring Dan Quinn. And at the time, it looked like a strong move.
Quinn brought experience, leadership, and a defensive pedigree of his own. In his first season, he guided the Commanders to their first playoff appearance since 2020 and even knocked out Johnson’s Lions along the way.
That win had to feel especially satisfying.
Meanwhile, Macdonald’s first year in Seattle was more of a mixed bag. The Seahawks finished 10-7 but missed the playoffs.
Fans weren’t sold yet. But two years later?
That’s changed - in a big way.
Macdonald has reshaped Seattle’s roster and culture with a clear vision and a steady hand. He didn’t hesitate to make tough calls.
When the linebackers Seattle brought in before the 2024 season didn’t fit his system, Macdonald moved on - fast. He retooled the defense midseason, and one of the new additions, Ernest Jones IV, just earned second-team All-Pro honors.
On offense, Macdonald took a swing in 2024 by hiring a coordinator with no NFL experience. It didn’t pan out.
So he made another bold move: bringing in Klint Kubiak, a coach with deep NFL roots and a reputation for maximizing quarterback play. The results have been undeniable.
In 2025, Seattle finished with the best record in the NFC. The offense is humming under Kubiak, and the defense - led by Macdonald and coordinator Aden Durde - is back to being one of the league’s most feared units.
Now, the Seahawks are one home win away from the Super Bowl.
They’ll face Sean McVay and the Rams in the NFC title game - and yes, Commanders fans, McVay’s name still stings. But let’s not reopen that wound.
As for Washington, 2025 didn’t go as planned. But there’s still belief in the Peters-Quinn pairing. They’ve shown they can build a competitive roster, and they’ve proven they’re not afraid to make bold moves to get there.
Case in point: Quinn’s recent promotion of David Blough to offensive coordinator. It raised eyebrows around the league, but it wasn’t just a gamble - it was a statement.
Quinn didn’t want to risk losing another young, promising coach, and he moved quickly to lock Blough in. One of the loudest voices supporting the move?
Ben Johnson.
So while Seattle and Los Angeles prepare for a shot at the Super Bowl, Washington is back in the lab, reloading for another run. The NFC might be watching the Seahawks now, but don’t count out the Commanders just yet.