By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks culture of integrity has led to a battle for the NFC No.1 seed with the Niners

In just his second year as an NFL Head Coach, Macdonald has his  Seahawks in the playoffs after narrowly missing last year’s playoff tournament.  The 2024 Seahawks became the first team in NFL history to win ten games and miss the playoffs. Undeterred, Macdonald has built a culture that is process-driven, player-led, and built on integrity.

“ I’m not a big like the word “accountable” guy. It’s like to me it’s got a negative connotation. We’re more like an integrity type of thing. Hey, we’re going to do what we say we’re going to do. We said we want to operate a certain way,’ said  MacDonald. “

 “We said we want to be a certain type of team. We said we want to practice, walk through, and play a game a certain way. We all agreed that’s how we want to operate, and that’s led by a lot of our leaders on our team. And really, it’s part of my job to make sure we’re doing what we said we were going to do,”

PLAYERS EMBRACING INTEGRITY

Well, something is working for  Macdonald and his staff, with each player embracing the importance of self-integrity, which has led to a committed collective on the field. The Seahawks have had 13 different starters on defense and 10 on offense. Despite personnel changes, the team continues to perform at the highest level.  The defense is ranked number two in scoring, and the offense is  ranked 8th overall. 

The biggest challenges have been on the defensive side of the ball, which, coincidentally, has seen the biggest growth. The defense was able to overcome injuries to  Julian Love, Devon Witherspoon, Ernest Jones IV, Uchenna Nwosu, and now Coby  Bryant. The offense has seen fewer injuries but has had to overcome self-inflicted and stay united.

 Center Olu Oluwatimi stepped in for Jalen Sundell for four games, and now Josh Jones will start his third game at left tackle for Charles Cross, who started the first 14 games of the season.

“ Integrity is  important  I think it’s a big part of this team definitely just making sure you’re able to, depend on one another, just keep your word, trusting each man said  Ernerst Jones IV. 
It’s big, and it’s a big part of why this team works as well. Jones is the engine that drives the Seahawks’ defense as the middle linebacker. 

RENEWED FAITH

Jones suffered a knee injury in the Commanders’ game in Week 9, missed the Cardinals game in Week 10, returned for the Rams game in Week 11, but was inactive for the Week 12 contest with the Titans. Jones returned to the lineup for good in Week 12 against the Vikings in spectacular fashion.  In the game, Jones had two interceptions, one was an 85-yard pick-six.  After the game Jones gave a hearfelt message to the team about how he had been lost and was found after he gave his life back to his lord and savior  Jesus Christ.

Jones’ strength in showing vulnerability and taking ownership of his actions is a theme that has permeated each and every play on and off the field.

A POISED COLLECTIVE

 The poster child for McDonald’s integrity culture is lineback Drake Thomas. The Seahawks claimed Thomas off the waiver wire after being released by the  Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. Thomas played seven games and saw his season cut short due to a knee injury . In 2024, Thomas played in all 17 games as a special team specialist.   After backing up Tyrice Knight for the first three games of the season, Thomas seized the moment and has started the last 13 games.

“ I would just say each person kind of owning their portion. 
Knowing what it’s going to take, taking pride in their job and doing their job at a high level and going about  your individual process in order to help with team success,’ said Thomas. “ Integrity is about staying ready going about your business, trusting the process is really important and it’s hard to do, but you can do it. You can see a lot of guys on this team taking advantage of it. “

SEAHAWKS HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO PLAY A MEANINGFUL GAME IN JANUARY

All season, the Macdonald and his players have talked about the day-to-day process of staying focused on each and every task, from walk-through to film study, practice, and rehab. Saturday’s NFC battle will give the Seahawks an opportunity to stick to their process. Win or lose the Seahawks will be involved in another playoff game.

“ Like, we do this every single week. We’re so focused on the day-to-day and whatever matters in that moment and where we’re at in our process. Personally,  there’s no difference whether it’s, you know, this game Saturday, which people are making out to be a bigger game, or, um, any other game, you know, it’s the same thing. 
It’s the same process, and you go through the same things every week,” said Thomas.

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