RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks are ushering in a new era on offense as training camp kicks off at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, with head coach Mike Macdonald and quarterback Sam Darnold leading the charge.
While Macdonald made his identity known on the defensive side of the ball during his first year in Seattle, the offensive picture is beginning to come into focus during camp — with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak calling the plays, a new starting quarterback in Darnold and a familiar philosophy rooted in physicality.
“Run off the rock, man. I mean, yeah, we want to play our style of ball, let the O-line do their thing, get Sam on the move, separate the defense, all those things,” Macdonald said. “It’s fun to watch these guys put it together and how they drill it; go from individual to group, how it all fits together, all the rules. It’s really exciting.”
Darnold, who signed with the Seahawks this offseason, has quickly taken ownership of the new-look unit, organizing extra throwing sessions with teammates even before camp began — including with Eastern Washington standout and Yakima native Cooper Kupp.
“It speaks to the connection… we talk a lot about ’12 is one’ around here and it wasn’t like I’m going to Sam and telling him to get the guys together man, that was totally driven by Sam and the rest of the guys,” Macdonald said. “I don’t know how many routes they ran or how well it was, it’s just important for them to be together, talk through those things and I think that sets them up to have a better start to camp and that’s really important.”
Darnold replaces longtime starter Geno Smith, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Now, it’s Darnold who appears to have taken the reins of Seattle’s new offensive system — and though the Seahawks have only completed one day of training camp, Macdonald is encouraged by how it’s coming together.
You can find the full 2025 Seahawks schedule here, or on NFL.com.