JUST IN: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS INTRODUCES A NEW COACH IN…….

There are just two clubs that do not currently have a head coach: the Seahawks. Given the amount of staff members they have previously spoken with, they have a strong list of prospects, but the squad is also considering at least one additional coach.

Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, is of interest to Seattle, according to Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson of ESPN. That is significant because, despite being mentioned as a possible candidate earlier this month, Macdonald has not yet been contacted by the Seahawks as part of their continuing search. The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta has confirmed that the Seahawks intend to interview him as soon as feasible despite this.

The modified league hiring rules prohibit candidates from teams participating in Sunday’s conference championship games from participating in head coaching interviews this week. However, staffers who have spoken with interested teams once may conduct a second interview during the bye between the conference title games and the Super Bowl. As Macdonald did not communicate with the Seahawks during the cycle, he would not be eligible to be interviewed or hired until after the Ravens’ season concludes.

Like Washington, Seattle is poised to wait out the upcoming games before progressing further in its HC search. The Seahawks established a five-man list of staffers to conduct a second interview with, including Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. The former Seahawks DC was immediately named as a serious candidate to replace Pete Carroll, and Dallas’ decision to retain Mike McCarthy could leave a return to the Emerald City as Quinn’s best path to another head coaching opportunity.

The 53-year-old had a run of five-plus years with the Falcons, making him an experienced option receiving interest from Seattle. The same is true of Mike Vrabel, whose tenure with the Titans came to an end this offseason. Vrabel has been labeled a Seahawks candidate, but the parties have not met at this point. Macdonald contrasts with those options given his thinner resume, but he has seen his rising stock result in notable interest around the league.

Despite being in his second season as an NFL coordinator, Macdonald has become one of the league’s emerging defensive brains thanks to the Ravens’ 2023 defensive performance. For the first time in eleven years, Baltimore has advanced to the AFC championship game thanks in large part to the 36-year-old’s unit. In this cycle, he has been linked to six head coach positions. Although the Commanders are still keeping a closer eye on Lions OC Ben Johnson than anybody else, Macdonald is also on their radar.

Depending on how tomorrow’s events transpire, the Seahawks may have to postpone hiring Macdonald until after the Super Bowl if they decide to pursue their interest in him. While the team does still have one competition on the head coaching front, Seattle might therefore risk missing out on another elite candidate in the interim. In any event, it will be important to keep a careful eye on Macdonald’s future in light of the two openings.