The Seattle Seahawks are once again in search of an offensive coordinator, marking their second such endeavor in the past 11 months. As this process unfolds, general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald find themselves better positioned than during their previous attempt. This time, they have the advantage of a strategic approach to identifying the right fit for their team's offensive needs.
On Thursday afternoon, the Seahawks had already requested interviews with three potential candidates: Hank Fraley, Thomas Brown, and Klint Kubiak. Notably, during the last hiring cycle, they couldn't conduct an initial interview with Mike Macdonald during the Baltimore Ravens' playoff bye week. Macdonald was eventually hired on January 31, becoming the seventh of eight coaches appointed during that cycle. His entrance marked a new era for the Seahawks' coaching staff.
Under the leadership of Ryan Grubb, the Seahawks' offense concluded the season ranked 14th in total yards, averaging 332.2 yards per game, and 21st in scoring at 20.0 points per game. A noticeable shift occurred in their strategic play as the shotgun snap percentage dropped from 80.8% in Weeks 1 through 9 to 71.4% in Weeks 10 through 18. The Week 14 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals showcased the team's potential, as they ran the ball 31 times for a season-high 176 yards, allowed no sacks on quarterback Geno Smith, and secured a time-of-possession advantage of six minutes.
Ryan Grubb faced the challenge of convincing coach Macdonald during the interview process that his offensive style could achieve balance. Grubb highlighted his experience as an offensive line coach and run-game coordinator to bolster his case. However, Macdonald expressed concerns regarding Grubb's pass-heavy résumé and its suitability for the Seahawks' offensive direction.
"It's not just like, 'Hey, I have to have A, B and C,'" – Mike Macdonald
Macdonald has made it clear that his next offensive coordinator should possess a robust plan to utilize star receiver DK Metcalf more effectively than before. He emphasized the need to explore new strategies to ensure Metcalf's consistent impact on games.
"He's such a force out there, it's not just good enough to get the coverage tilted for him," – Mike Macdonald
In addition to identifying candidates with a balanced offensive approach, Macdonald and Schneider aim to keep an open mind throughout the hiring process.
"We want to have an open mind. We want to try to find the best fit for our football team and the guys we have on offense right now." – Mike Macdonald
Reflecting on past decisions, Macdonald acknowledged that Grubb's tenure did not unfold as anticipated.
"It just didn't manifest itself the way that we expected," – Mike Macdonald
"and I think… the direction that was going, it just wasn't the way that I wanted it to go." – Mike Macdonald
The Seahawks are determined to find a coordinator who can harness their offensive talent effectively. The emphasis will be on crafting an offense that leverages Metcalf's abilities beyond merely attracting defensive coverage.
"We got to figure out more ways to give him the ball consistently and let him impact the game with the ball on his hands rather than just moving coverage that way." – Mike Macdonald
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