{"id":43116,"date":"2025-07-06T10:21:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T10:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/43116\/"},"modified":"2025-07-06T10:21:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T10:21:10","slug":"seahawks-reporter-gregg-bell-on-how-coach-mike-macdonald-has-already-changed-in-year-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/43116\/","title":{"rendered":"Seahawks reporter Gregg Bell on how Coach Mike Macdonald has already changed in Year 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Seattle Seahawks<\/a> minicamp in the books and preseason around the corner, it\u2019s time to take stock of where the team stands. On a recent episode of The HawksZone Rundown, Tacoma News Tribune insider Gregg Bell joins the show for a detailed breakdown of the offseason\u2019s biggest developments, and what they reveal about Seattle\u2019s direction heading into the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the major takeaways from the conversation:<\/p>\n

Who stood out during Seahawks minicamp<\/p>\n

Minicamp may be over, but it left a clear impression. Gregg highlighted a handful of players who turned heads with strong performances\u2014some expected, some under the radar. These early standouts could play key roles when training camp begins, and depth charts start to take shape.<\/p>\n

Gregg\u2019s take on the new Seahawks quarterback room<\/p>\n

The quarterback room looks different this year, and Gregg offered his insight on how it\u2019s coming together. From Sam Darnold\u2019s status as the incumbent to the development of Jalen Milroe and what Drew Lock\u2019s presence means, the group is deeper\u2014and more competitive\u2014than it\u2019s been in recent years. Gregg breaks down how the coaching staff is managing the room and what fans should realistically expect heading into the season.<\/p>\n

Mike Macdonald in Year 2 as Seahawks head coach<\/p>\n

Entering Year 2, head coach Mike Macdonald is beginning to imprint his identity on the team. Gregg discussed how players are responding to Macdonald\u2019s leadership style\u2014defined by discipline, detail, and a quiet intensity. The culture shift is already noticeable, and it\u2019s setting the tone for a more focused and accountable team.<\/p>\n

\u201cMacdonald is just so much more assertive and he\u2019s just more comfortable on the field,\u201d Bell said. \u201cYou see him talking with the offensive players, you see him in the offensive drills more than he did last year. Last year he pretty much just stuck himself on defense at practices, called the defense and never went to the offense. He left it up to Ryan Grubb and we saw what happened in the results of that. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis year he\u2019s spending the first parts of practices, so far anyway, the offseason practices with the offense, he has delegated some of the practice play calling responsibility to Aden Durde the defensive coordinator, who really isn\u2019t the defensive coordinator because he doesn\u2019t call the plays during games. But it seems to me he has ceded some responsibility in time at practice on defense to Durde while he\u2019s been on the offensive side. So that\u2019s a tangible difference on the field that I\u2019ve noticed already.\u201d<\/p>\n

Key offseason additions and what they mean<\/p>\n

Seattle made several strategic moves in free agency and the draft, many of which flew under the national radar. Gregg explained how these additions\u2014especially on defense and the offensive line\u2014could quietly become foundational pieces. They may not be flashy, but they fit Macdonald\u2019s vision for a more versatile, physical roster.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I saw during OTAs and minicamps was Demarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall working together as the standup outside pass rushers more to the edge rusher outside linebacker than as a defensive end,\u201d Bell said. \u201cI know he didn\u2019t do that in Dallas he was more of a stand on the ground end, and so it looks like the Seahawks are going to try him in a different role now. That\u2019s something of an experiment because he spent 11 years doing defensive line work primarily. <\/p>\n

\u201cAden Durde knows him better than anybody on staff of course Durde coached him a few years in Dallas as a defensive line coach yet Durde was working with stand up pass rush moves with Boye Mafe and Hall and Lawrence so it\u2019s going to be interesting to see how his training camp goes if that continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surprises and concerns heading into the season<\/p>\n

No offseason is without its surprises. Gregg touched on a few unexpected storylines, including position battles, injury updates, and areas where the roster still has question marks. While there\u2019s plenty of optimism, there are also key spots that will need to solidify quickly once training camp begins.<\/p>\n

For Seahawks Fans, This Is a Must-Listen\/Must-Watch<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re trying to get a clear picture of where the Seahawks stand post-minicamp\u2014and what\u2019s coming next\u2014this episode is packed with insight you won\u2019t get anywhere else. From behind-the-scenes notes to honest assessments of the roster, it\u2019s essential listening ahead of the preseason.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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