Seahawks Press Pass

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald opened his press conference by outlining the team's weekly schedule (00:00), reflecting on the offense's turnaround and identity (01:06) with emphasis on the run game, third downs, and red zone execution (02:19), and praising the defense's connected effort (03:01) while managing extra preparation days without mentally taxing the roster (03:47). He highlighted the versatility and maturity of Safety (S) Nick Emmanwori (05:22), who spends time in the defensive backs room while also working closely with Defensive Run Game Coordinator Chris Partridge and Inside Linebackers coach Zachary Orr (06:41) to handle multiple roles responsibly (07:06). Regarding injuries and roster availability, Head Coach Mike Macdonald provided updates on Tackle (T) Charles Cross's ankle injury (07:49), Wide Receiver (WR) Rashid Shaheed's positive early status (08:13), Running Back (RB) Velus Jones Jr.'s hamstring injury (14:08), and the potential return to game action for Running Back (RB) Jadarian Price and Running Back (RB) Zach Charbonnet (16:27). Finally, he emphasized coaching communication with Special Teams Coordinator Jay Harbaugh and Defensive Coordinator Aden Durde (08:55), commended Linebacker (LB) Tyrice Knight alongside starter Linebacker (LB) Drake Thomas (12:31), praised Running Back (RB) George Holani's third-down pass protection (13:34) and Defensive Tackle (DT) Byron Murphy II's interior play (14:31), and discussed expanding Wide Receiver (WR) Rashid Shaheed's impact (15:19).

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Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald opens by praising the team's resilience, execution across all three phases, and commitment to their "12 as one" philosophy while noting areas for continued improvement before facing Chicago. (01:30) He commends the defense's physicality and warrior mentality in holding the opposing offense to a single field goal, and later (04:55) highlights how the coaching staff works to maximize top defensive playmakers like Defensive Tackle Byron Murphy II, Defensive Tackle Leonard Williams, and Cornerback Devon Witherspoon. (03:05) Offensively, Head Coach Mike Macdonald discusses trusting Tight End AJ Barner on a crucial fourth-and-one conversion, and (03:19) credits Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury and the offensive staff for strong third-down solutions and pivoting effectively after Wide Receiver Rashid Shaheed exited the game. (03:59) He also points out key effort plays and pass protection for Quarterback Sam Darnold, praising Running Back George Holani, Tight End AJ Barner, and Tackle Charles Cross for their hustle, alongside Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's touchdown reception (06:20), Guard Anthony Bradford's return (08:30), and injury updates on Tackle Charles Cross, Wide Receiver Rashid Shaheed, and Quarterback Drew Lock (07:48, 12:02).

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Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold praised the overall team performance, highlighting the defense's outstanding play throughout the night and the offense's ability to stay on the field (0:00). He emphasized the importance of getting to the line of scrimmage quickly, which was a major point of emphasis during the week, allowing the offense to read the defense and make necessary adjustments against Kansas City's strong defense and coordinator (1:03). Darnold acknowledged the need to improve on third-and-long situations while crediting the offensive execution (0:30). He particularly praised Jaxon Smith-Njigba's ability to perform against man coverage and his high football IQ (2:45). Darnold highlighted the offensive line's outstanding performance against Kansas City's front, specifically mentioning Anthony Bradford's presence and impact upon his return (4:20). He discussed the importance of putting the ball in play and letting athletes like Cooper Kupp, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and George Holani make plays after the catch, while also noting Emanuel Wilson's strong rushing performance in the second half (3:22). He explained that offensive efficiency comes from getting plays called quickly, using different cadences and counts, and mixing up the tempo to keep defenses off balance (6:15).

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Seahawks wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba reflects on the Seattle Seahawks' resilient victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, emphasizing how the team fought together after losing two straight games (00:01, 01:38). He discusses the offense's success against the Chiefs' aggressive man and press coverage, noting how he attacked the middle of the field and used motion to his advantage (00:30, 03:03, 06:22). Smith-Njigba praises Quarterback (QB) Sam Darnold for his leadership, ability to extend plays with his feet, and a crucial line-of-scrimmage check that resulted in a touchdown pass (01:22, 03:30). He also credits Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury for putting the offense in position to read the defense and execute efficiently on third downs alongside strong protection from the offensive line (05:15, 05:48). Additionally, Smith-Njigba highlights the dominant performance of the Seahawks' defense, specifically calling Safety (S) Nick Emmanwori one of the most versatile players in the league for his pass-rushing and coverage abilities (03:57, 04:23).

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Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori showcased his exceptional versatility in the game against Kansas City, lining up at defensive end, covering in the slot, and running downfield with one of the NFL's fastest receivers (0:11). He explained the complex preparation process throughout the week, rotating between linebacker, defensive line, and defensive back meeting rooms to master multiple positions (1:06-1:41). Emmanwori chased down Patrick Mahomes on an interception, forcing a bad throw with his speed and pressure (2:12-2:31). The defense held their opponent to just one field goal, with Emmanwori personally motivated to limit a star receiver under 100 yards, which they accomplished (3:46-3:58). He praised teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba as "unguardable," marveling at his ability to make plays despite double teams and extra coverage (4:45-5:09).

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Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp discussed the Seahawks' impressive performance in their victory over the previously undefeated Chiefs, highlighting the team's exceptional third-down conversion rate of 11 for 15 (0:16). He praised Sam Darnold's command of the offense and ability to work through progressions, noting that some conversions came on Darnold's fifth read (0:24). Kupp commended Jaxon Smith-Njigba's ability to stay engaged despite facing double coverage, with Smith-Njigba recording over 200 yards in the game (1:53-2:17). The defense held the Chiefs to just 11 first downs, the fewest in a Patrick Mahomes-started game, with no red zone trips (4:06-4:08). Kupp emphasized that the victory represented the team executing Head Coach Mike Macdonald's vision of playing "Seahawks football" and focusing on their own execution rather than the opponent (6:00-6:41).

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Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV reflects on Head Coach Mike Macdonald's message about the team's potential and executing their jobs to secure a much-needed victory (00:04, 00:13). He praises the defense for shutting down a strong opposing offense, holding them to a single field goal, and limiting their rushing attack to minimal yards (00:28, 00:38, 01:01). After losing two consecutive games, Ernest Jones IV notes that the team remained confident and was eager to return to their style of football on Sunday while continuing to build momentum for next week (01:35, 02:00). He also highlights the impressive second-year versatility of Safety Nick Emmanwori in both rushing the passer and covering downfield, as well as the ability of Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to consistently get open against man coverage (02:15, 02:23, 02:35, 02:45). Finally, Ernest Jones IV emphasizes the importance of playing complete, complementary football alongside Quarterback Sam Darnold and the offense as they found their rhythm throughout the game (03:09, 03:18).

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Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald opened the press conference with injury updates, announcing that Running Back Zach Charbonnet, Linebacker Chazz Surratt, and Linebacker Drake Thomas are ruled out for Sunday's game, while Safety Nick Emmanwori (hip), Linebacker Connor O'Toole, and Quarterback Drew Lock (elbow) are listed as questionable. (00:34) Head Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that Running Back Zach Charbonnet has experienced no setbacks in his recovery, and later noted at (04:17) that Running Back Jadarian Price is progressing well with his practice window potentially opening next week, while at (05:33) he shared that Tight End Elijah Arroyo recently underwent surgery for a season-ending injury. (01:12) On the offensive front, Head Coach Mike Macdonald stated that Guard Anthony Bradford will return to play the entire game, noting at (05:09) that his return restores continuity to the starting five alongside Tackle Abraham Lucas. (03:44) Discussing the defense, Head Coach Mike Macdonald praised Linebacker Tyrice Knight for seamlessly stepping up into a larger role in the absence of Linebacker Drake Thomas and building strong chemistry with Linebacker Ernest Jones IV, before highlighting at (06:26) the leadership of Tight End AJ Barner, Tight End Eric Saubert, and Fullback Brady Russell, and concluding at (07:27) by commending Quarterback Sam Darnold and the roster for holding player-driven cross-positional meetings.

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Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde discussed the defense's focus on fundamentals and limiting yards in the run game, while praising Linebacker Tyrice Knight (00:40) for playing decisively, showing up in the pass game, and tackling well. (00:58) Following the break, Durde noted that the coaching staff evaluated areas for self-improvement, specifically targeting red zone execution, third-down errors, pass-rush effectiveness, and pre- and post-snap alignments (01:12). (01:35) Looking ahead to the upcoming matchup, he emphasized the importance of understanding leverage, run fits, and pocket control on early and third downs (02:49). (03:26) Durde also explained the keys to diagnosing and defending screen passes alongside Linebacker Ernest Jones IV (04:10), while referencing Head Coach Mike Macdonald's philosophy of building the pass rush from a four-man foundation (04:57), and (05:45) highlighted the strong impact of Safety Ty Okada making tackles from the third level (06:08) alongside Safety Julian Love.

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Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury assessed the offense's recent Thursday night performance by noting improvements in the quick game and third-down efficiency, while sharing how the coaching staff spent the weekend evaluating film from the first six games to align with Head Coach Mike Macdonald on schemes moving forward (00:56, 01:25). (03:29) Fleury explained the second-half reliance on the shotgun formation as a way to trust quarterback Sam Darnold to get the ball downfield and take advantage of one-on-one matchups for wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp while the defense double-teamed wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. (04:07) Addressing the evolution of the rushing attack, Fleury highlighted plans to lean into the team's best-executed blocking combinations and expressed excitement for the eventual return of running back Zach Charbonnet, whose ability to generate extra yards through contact brings reassurance to the offensive line (04:43, 05:17). (06:13) While disappointed to lose tight end Elijah Arroyo after strong development, Fleury expressed high confidence in tight ends AJ Barner, Eric Saubert—who helped push running back George Holani into the end zone for a touchdown—and Nick Kallerup stepping into larger roles, alongside discussing creative ways to utilize wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (05:38) and running back Velus Jones Jr. (06:54, 08:57).

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