Aden Durde: "We Have To Play Our Style Of Defense"

Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde discussed the defense's focus on fundamentals and limiting yards in the run game, while praising Linebacker Tyrice Knight (00:40) for playing decisively, showing up in the pass game, and tackling well. (00:58) Following the break, Durde noted that the coaching staff evaluated areas for self-improvement, specifically targeting red zone execution, third-down errors, pass-rush effectiveness, and pre- and post-snap alignments (01:12). (01:35) Looking ahead to the upcoming matchup, he emphasized the importance of understanding leverage, run fits, and pocket control on early and third downs (02:49). (03:26) Durde also explained the keys to diagnosing and defending screen passes alongside Linebacker Ernest Jones IV (04:10), while referencing Head Coach Mike Macdonald's philosophy of building the pass rush from a four-man foundation (04:57), and (05:45) highlighted the strong impact of Safety Ty Okada making tackles from the third level (06:08) alongside Safety Julian Love.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury assessed the offense's recent Thursday night performance by noting improvements in the quick game and third-down efficiency, while sharing how the coaching staff spent the weekend evaluating film from the first six games to align with Head Coach Mike Macdonald on schemes moving forward (00:56, 01:25). (03:29) Fleury explained the second-half reliance on the shotgun formation as a way to trust quarterback Sam Darnold to get the ball downfield and take advantage of one-on-one matchups for wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp while the defense double-teamed wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. (04:07) Addressing the evolution of the rushing attack, Fleury highlighted plans to lean into the team's best-executed blocking combinations and expressed excitement for the eventual return of running back Zach Charbonnet, whose ability to generate extra yards through contact brings reassurance to the offensive line (04:43, 05:17). (06:13) While disappointed to lose tight end Elijah Arroyo after strong development, Fleury expressed high confidence in tight ends AJ Barner, Eric Saubert—who helped push running back George Holani into the end zone for a touchdown—and Nick Kallerup stepping into larger roles, alongside discussing creative ways to utilize wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (05:38) and running back Velus Jones Jr. (06:54, 08:57).

Seahawks quarterback (QB) met with media, emphasizing the offense's focus on daily consistency, sustaining drives on third down, and preparing to play decisively against a fast Kansas City Chiefs defense (00:00, 00:44, 03:49). Reflecting on quick defensive pressures from the previous game, Quarterback (QB) Sam Darnold notes the importance of protecting the football by throwing the ball away or taking a sack rather than forcing passes, while trusting his progressions and self-scouting offensive tendencies (02:02, 04:32, 06:03). He commends Running Back (RB) Zach Charbonnet for his relentless mindset and work ethic throughout his recovery from ACL surgery as he prepares to return to action (05:00, 05:15). Quarterback (QB) Sam Darnold also addresses improving pass protection communication through practice repetitions and explains how fellow Quarterback (QB) Drew Lock helped relay play calls on the field during recent crowd noise and headset issues (07:40, 08:16, 08:24). Finally, Quarterback (QB) Sam Darnold expresses complete confidence in Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury, praising his adaptability, thorough Saturday night game-plan previews, and collaborative approach to establishing the offense's identity (03:30, 09:04, 09:36, 10:24).

Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV discusses the importance of football IQ and quick processing in the defensive system, while crediting the team's strong run defense to a collective mentality and gap-sound play up front (00:46, 02:05). (01:32) Ernest Jones IV emphasizes the need to stay disciplined against run-pass options and notes how thorough preparation from the coaching staff allows the defense to play fast and decisively (02:30). (04:28) He expresses full confidence in Quarterback Sam Darnold and the roster to bounce back, and reflects on honest conversations led by Head Coach Mike Macdonald during the mini-bye about tightening up red zone defense (05:05). (05:47) Looking ahead to Sunday night at Lumen Field, Ernest Jones IV highlights the primetime crowd noise as a major defensive weapon, praises fellow Linebacker Tyrice Knight (07:02), and touches on his recent sack streak (07:35), diagnosing screen passes (08:01), and relying on his instincts (09:01).

Seahawks safety Ty Okada expresses his excitement about returning to the field after suffering an injury during sprints heading into Week 1 (00:03, 00:15) and shares how Devon Witherspoon gave him the nickname "Ty GPT" for quickly answering questions in meetings (00:38, 03:56). Addressing the honest conversations mentioned by Head Coach Mike Macdonald and linebacker (LB) Ernest Jones IV, Okada emphasizes the secondary's focus on deeply understanding their roles to bring plays to life (01:10, 01:25). He also praises running back (RB) Zach Charbonnet's recovery from ACL surgery (01:45, 01:57) and defensive tackle (DT) Byron Murphy II's impressive season (03:20, 03:26), while explaining how attention to detail shut down Denver's offense (02:18, 02:25) and helps all 11 defenders stop screen passes (02:55, 03:01).

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald opens by addressing how the defense approaches screen plays as a collective team effort (00:33) and how offenses operating under center impact run game principles alongside a reference to Running Back Zach Charbonnet's recovery timetable (03:25). Looking at Seattle's offense, Head Coach Mike Macdonald explains the balance of staying within their wide-zone wheelhouse while mixing in other run concepts (05:53), and notes that the offensive line and team have shown strong effort and attitude with room to grow in decisiveness (06:48). He also discusses his coaching philosophy for helping players improve through open communication (07:46) before confirming that Linebacker Drake Thomas will not practice today (08:35). On the defensive side, Head Coach Mike Macdonald emphasizes that stopping the run requires team-wide fundamentals like block destruction, tackling, and proper leverage (08:48), while noting that the defensive line sets the tone up front (12:36) and split-safety structures provide extra layers of defensive overlap (13:32). Finally, he stresses that starting fast offensively is a product of decisiveness and assignment alignment (09:53), and confirms that utilizing two-back personnel with Fullback Brady Russell remains on the table even with Fullback Robbie Ouzts unavailable (10:33).

Seahawks safety Julian Love discusses the upcoming defensive challenges for the Seattle Seahawks, emphasizing that an all-hands-on-deck effort is required to contain explosive opposing playmakers (00:11). To improve against the screen game and the run, safety Julian Love explains that the defense must attack blockers and leverage while defensive backs and linebackers close space and fly to the ball on both early and obvious passing downs (00:45, 01:19, 02:05). Safety Julian Love praises the physical dominance of the Seahawks' defensive interior—specifically defensive tackle Leonard Williams, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, and nose tackle Jarran Reed—for setting the tone up front so the secondary does not have to overcommit to the box (04:40). Finally, safety Julian Love notes that the team respects former teammates who previously shared the backfield with running back Zach Charbonnet, while remaining eager to play clean, complementary football by fixing details on third-and-long and in the red zone (03:05, 08:01, 08:42, 09:35).

Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp discusses how the team used its extra days for self-scouting to identify areas for improvement, noting at (00:42) that better offensive execution comes down to mastering simple details, staying consistent, and eliminating penalties. (01:35) Addressing the transition with offensive coordinator Brian Fleury and comments from head coach Mike Macdonald on team alignment, Kupp explains at (02:13) that great teams separate themselves by collaborating closely and aligning on the finest details of every play. (03:25) Regarding offensive continuity, Kupp emphasizes the importance of getting everyone on the same page with small scheme nuances and playing "12 as one" football, adding at (04:16) that the team must eliminate big negative plays to make its flashes of strong play across offense, defense, and special teams more consistent. (04:48) Kupp also praises quarterback (QB) Sam Darnold for his preparation and steady demeanor, highlighting at (05:31) Darnold's proven ability to persevere through adversity, before concluding with notes on weekend conversations with head coach Mike Macdonald (06:28), dictating offensive tempo (07:39), and focusing solely on winning this week's game (08:20).