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\u2019t need to revisit that one, let\u2019s leave it in the rear view). You\u2019ll hear the interview Thursday on Seattle Sports\u2019 Bump and Stacy<\/a>, but you have to know why it matters so we\u2019ll get to a spoiler.<\/p>\n The interview started with Hall talking about all the growing he\u2019s done since his first day at training camp back in 2023.<\/p>\n \u201cFilm study and going back and reviewing my year happens in the offseason,\u201d Hall said when asked where he\u2019s grown and what he\u2019s focused on. \u201cSo 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2019t care, you can\u2019t stand in front of me. I think that\u2019s huge. And being able to settle down and take it one play at a time, grow your game\u2026 just take your time, and then that connection with the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n We also talked about Mike Macdonald\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s really moving out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Hall was undoubtedly one of our takeaways from Day 1 of Seahawks training camp, but Seattle\u2019s pass rush as a whole is one of the more underrated storylines on this team heading into August.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks camp position battles: Offense<\/a> | Defense<\/a><\/p>\n Seattle\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Personnel is part of it; there\u2019s no Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt on this team. Technically there isn\u2019t one on most teams, which is why Watt and Garrett are two of the league\u2019s highest-paid players<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 through the growth and maturity of young, existing players ready to take the next step. And Hall very much looks the part.<\/p>\n The next step includes coaching, and Hall has high praise for Macdonald, who was Baltimore\u2019s defensive coordinator when it led the league in sacks in 2023.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d Hall said. \u201cAnd that kind of resonated with me coming off of year one and heading into year two \u2013 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, I always talk about as a play-caller he\u2019s legit. I told you going up into his office and sitting there, I mean, it\u2019s from here back to Mississippi full of plays. And it\u2019s like, dang, we haven\u2019t got there yet. And it\u2019s like, yeah, we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n More on the Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n \u2022 Seahawks open training camp with competition at multiple spots<\/a>
\u2022 Macdonald: Nwosu \u2018not necessarily close\u2019 to returning for Seahawks<\/a>
\u2022 Huard: Why a Seahawks trade for star pass rusher seems unlikely<\/a>
\u2022 Bump: Riq Woolen is Seahawks player with most to gain \u2013 and lose<\/a>
\u2022 Bobo could have tough fight to keep Seattle Seahawks roster spot<\/a><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SeattleSportsEmail-830x100-1.jpg\")
\t