The Seattle Seahawks coaching search to replace Pete Carroll has been slowed down by the NFL playoffs. With the AFC and NFC Championship Games wrapping up on Sunday, however, the Seahawks are reportedly preparing to go after a new top target.
While Seattle hasn’t been able to meet with all the top NFL coaching candidates, it has brought in several top options for interviews. Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Everyo and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn have all formally been interviewed by the Seahawks.
- Seattle Seahawks defense stats: 5.5 yards per play allowed (25th in NFL), 40.4% opponents’ scoring rate (28th), 92.1 QB rating (23rd), 7.4% sack rate (20th), 138.4 rushing yards per game allowed (31st)
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From the moment Carroll was fired, many presumed that Quinn would take over as head coach. He’s turned down opportunities in two consecutive years, with a belief he was eyeing the Seahawks’ job. Not only would his defensive mind help turn around Seattle’s defense, but his experience with the team would allow him to maintain the Seahawks’ culture that helped make this franchise successful.
However, following a second in-person interview with Quinn this past week that reportedly stretched into the evening, it appears the Seahawks coaching search is now focused on a new target.
Latest Seattle Seahawks coaching search rumors
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson, the Seahawks are interested in Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as one of the top options to replace Carroll as head coach. While Seattle hasn’t formally requested an interview with Macdonald, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider intends to meet with Macdonald as soon as the Ravens’ season ends.
Baltimore Ravens defensive statistics under Mike Macdonald
| Yards per Play | Scoring Rate | PPG | RZ TD rate | QB rating | Sacks per Game | |
| 2023 | 4.6 (T-1st) | 28.7% (3rd) | 16.5 (1st) | 40.82% (2nd) | 74.5 (1st) | 3.3 (1st) |
| EPA per Play | Success Rate | Dropback EPA | 3rd Down rate | EXP | Avg. TOP | |
| 2023 | -0.127 (2nd) | 40.8% (6th) | -0.142 | 36,26% (6th) | 117.86 (1st) | 2:34 (4th) |
Related: NFL defense rankings
Landing Macdonald would be a coup for Seattle, who primarily moved on from Carroll because his defense had stopped being effective for years. Baltimore’s defensive coordinator is well-liked in the locker room and, similar to Carroll, has experience coaching in college and is comfortable working with both veterans and young players coming in from the collegiate level.
While Quinn is still one of the options in the Seahawks coaching search, Seattle reportedly also wants to schedule a second interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. With the Seahawks and Washington Commanders offering the only two remaining head-coaching vacancies, both NFL teams will likely be able to land their top options.
