Derick Hall a highlight at Seattle Seahawks camp open

Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Derick Hall became the star of our Wednesday show without even appearing.

News and notes from Day 1 of Seahawks training camp

I should rephrase that. My co-host Michael Bumpus and I sat down to interview Hall after our show while the Mariners were taking on the Brewers for a matinee rubbermatch (we don’t need to revisit that one, let’s leave it in the rear view). You’ll hear the interview Thursday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy, but you have to know why it matters so we’ll get to a spoiler.

The interview started with Hall talking about all the growing he’s done since his first day at training camp back in 2023.

“Film study and going back and reviewing my year happens in the offseason,” Hall said when asked where he’s grown and what he’s focused on. “So I go back and watch myself, the things I did good, the things I could do better, hand placement, really try to hone in on details.

“I think just over the years, man, the main thing is confidence. To know I have the ability to go out and be successful and play with the best of the best in this league. Just being able to lean back on that killer mentality like, I don’t care, you can’t stand in front of me. I think that’s huge. And being able to settle down and take it one play at a time, grow your game… just take your time, and then that connection with the guys.”

We also talked about Mike Macdonald’s growth as a head coach (more on that in a second), and when Hall left the interview, Bump immediately turned to the rest of us and mentioned how confident Hall seemed this year. When we walked out to take in practice, Bump turned and mentioned the same.

“He’s really moving out there.”

Hall was undoubtedly one of our takeaways from Day 1 of Seahawks training camp, but Seattle’s pass rush as a whole is one of the more underrated storylines on this team heading into August.

Seattle Seahawks camp position battles: Offense | Defense

Seattle’s defense went five years between seasons of double-digit sacks from a single player. Frank Clark and Jarran Reed finished with 13 and 10.5 sacks, respectively, in 2018. Not until Leonard Williams recorded 11 last season did another player record 10 or more.

Personnel is part of it; there’s no Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt on this team. Technically there isn’t one on most teams, which is why Watt and Garrett are two of the league’s highest-paid players. But a great defense can also be the sum of its parts, and the Seahawks have entrusted Macdonald with the task of lifting this group from a struggling unit two years ago to a much stronger collective this season.

That began with a massive step forward against the run last year, but it can and should grow in other ways this year: even more pressure, more sacks (they were eighth in both categories in 2024) and a few more takeaways. Acquiring veteran talent like DeMarcus Lawrence can help, but improvement can also come from within — through the growth and maturity of young, existing players ready to take the next step. And Hall very much looks the part.

The next step includes coaching, and Hall has high praise for Macdonald, who was Baltimore’s defensive coordinator when it led the league in sacks in 2023.

“The first thing he said when we had a meeting yesterday is that he spent a lot of time trying to figure out how he can be a better head coach heading into his second year,” Hall said. “And that kind of resonated with me coming off of year one and heading into year two – like, how can I grow and be better? So to see him take the same approach, not only for himself but for the team, is second to none.

“I mean, I always talk about as a play-caller he’s legit. I told you going up into his office and sitting there, I mean, it’s from here back to Mississippi full of plays. And it’s like, dang, we haven’t got there yet. And it’s like, yeah, we’re working on it. So just being able to have him as a play-caller, and spread the love and joy he shares for the game along with the team, I think is really special.”

Derick Hall a highlight at Seattle Seahawks camp open

Tags: