As the NFL season comes to a close, the excitement from the Super Bowl grips football fans everywhere, but for us Hawks faithful, this year is special. After fourteen years of continuity under head coach Pete Caroll, in January 2024 Seattle ushered in a new era with Mike Macdonald. Macdonald’s effects on the Seahawks have been dramatic: after posting a solid 10-7 record last year and narrowly missing the playoffs, this season he has coached the Hawks to a franchise-best 14-3 record, which included thrilling comebacks, and a rejuvenated sense of belief and hope for PNW sports fans.
When the Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald as head coach last offseason, expectations were cautiously optimistic. Macdonald was formerly coordinator of Baltimore’s vaunted defense and brought a mindset shift to a franchise seeking a new identity after Carroll’s legendary tenure. The transformation didn’t take long, and Macdonald stamped his imprint on the Hawks. Notably, MacDonald promoted a serious and disciplined culture, whereas Carroll’s team was more chaotic. In addition, MacDonald specializes in disguising heavy defensive schemes, whereas Carroll’s team employed predictable packages.
Not only was Seattle’s 14-3 record the best in franchise history, but it also earned them the NFC West title and the NFC’s number one seed position. The team hasn’t held that position since 2014, when they last made it to the Super Bowl.
After a gut-wrenching 17-1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in week one, the Hawks rebounded quickly, displaying resilience that quickly became a theme. They followed that opening defeat with a bounce-back win against the Pittsburgh Steelers and continued the streak with victories throughout the fall. Throughout the season, there were many notable wins and a few tough losses. Hard-fought victories over the Jaguars (20-12), Panthers (27-10), and Texans (27-19) showcased a strong defense and opportunistic offense. Some character-building moments included a home loss against the Buccaneers (38-35) and a tough road to defeat against the Rams (21-19), which tested the Seahawks but didn’t derail their overall momentum. The team seemed to regain its home-field advantage, going 8-1 at home, compared to 3-6 last season.
Among the season’s most memorable moments was a miraculous Thursday night win over the Rams. Down 16 points with 9:39 left in the fourth quarter, ESPN analytics pegged the probability of a Hawks victory at 1.4%. So you’re saying there’s a chance … Seattle caught fire and secured the victory in overtime with a two-point conversion. The comeback was led by outstanding play by quarterback Sam Darnold, who had developed a reputation for faltering in high-pressure situations. This victory was a declaration of his ability to lead the team in the most challenging games and the Hawks as a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Not only has the team found great success this season, but individual players have had standout performances. In addition to staging the comeback against the Rams, quarterback Sam Darnold had one of the best seasons of his career, throwing over 4,000 yards with 25 touchdowns and earning Pro Bowl honors. Jaxon-Smith Njigba (JSN) made Seahawks fans forget all about DK Metcalf, leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards (note Metcalf tallied 850 for the year). JSN had some monster games, including 167 yards against Tennessee and 162 against a defensively tough Jacksonville team. And let’s not forget the defense: they’ve been nicknamed “The Dark Side,” ranked 6th in the league in points allowed and 1st in points per drive allowed.
The 2025 season represents more than just wins and losses for Seattle. It marks the beginning of a new identity: the same team with the same devoted fans, backed by a fresh coaching staff and a new approach. This past Sunday, the Seahawks finished their outstanding season with a dominant 29-13 victory in Super Bowl LX!! Ending the first half with a shutout (9-0), Hawks fans were (cautiously) confident the entire game. The Super Bowl perfectly reflected their new identity. Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense controlled the night from start to finish, forcing a memorable turnover, shutting down powerful players, and staying safely in the lead the entire game. Macdonald’s disciplined, aggressive defense proved too much for their opponent, which turned the Super Bowl more into a statement than a struggle. As confetti streamed through the air and the Lombardi Trophy returned to Seattle. It was clear that this win was not just the result of talent, but of transformation. Kenneth III, a running back who played an amazing game by rushing 25 yards and adding 26 receiving yards, received the MVP honor this year. Although incredibly deserved, it truly felt as if the entire team deserved it as well. The Super Bowl was the perfect example of coordination, hard work, and progress. The Seahawks are back on top of the NFL, not by recreating the past, but by welcoming and working for a new future together.
