The Seahawks are in a favorable position right now. They're preparing to play in the NFC Championship game, at home, in front of their fans and are coming off a win against a division rival that pretty much showed how successful Seattle can be when playing well in all three phases. To even get to this point, there was a lot the Seahawks had to do between when head coach Mike Macdonald held his first team meeting to now. There was even more work that had to be done ahead of this season, specifically during the offseason.
The Seahawks traded away their starting quarterback in Geno Smith and signed a new quarterback, Sam Darnold. They traded away their WR1, DK Metcalf, and signed Cooper Kupp. They also picked up four-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, and in a sense, brought a lot of newness, to a team that still felt like they were learning one another, in big ways.
That newness didn't change the mission or the mindset that Seattle had though because the Seahawks have been a team that is committed to the process and sticking to their values, all of which is evident by listening to just one of Macdonald's press conferences. If you listen long enough, you'll know the process is important, the connectedness is important and more importantly, the buy-in from each player on the roster, down to the practice squad, is important.
During Seattle's voluntary offseason program, the Seahawks had very close to perfect attendance. As the name suggests, players have no obligation to attend the program, and while some usually do, this offseason in particular was noteworthy to Macdonald because of the way the players made the decision amongst themselves that they would all attend.
"You just feel a lot of buy-in from the guys," Macdonald said in June. "It goes to the attendance. The guys were here on their own volition."
Ernest Jones IV said "This group, if we didn't show up OTAs, we wouldn't be as close as we are now. Honestly, training camp was just to grind to get better physically. OTAs is where we grew as a team."
That buy-in has paid dividends. It's in the way Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were able to build a connection that resulted in Smith-Njigba being the NFL's leader in receiving yards (1,793). It's in the way that rookie Grey Zabel feels comfortable enough to give 11-year veteran Leonard Williams advice on how to attack the opponent's offensive line to get a sack. It's in the way that if you ask any player in the locker room to name five traits that have contributed to their success, they almost all would point to their connectedness. The offseason program wasn't just a way to get into shape, or learn the language of the offense or defense, both of which were important, but it was a way for each player to build a connection that would get them through an entire season and be a Super Bowl contender.
Devon Witherspoon said during the offseason program, "We got the foundation of what we were going to do and how we were going to do it, and then we build from there. And I just think [Mike Macdonald] just reiterated that, like, 'don't forget what we started and what we said we were going to do,' and then we're just building on that."
The Seahawks knew exactly what they were working towards and what was expected of them.
"We spoke about it, and I think that was the biggest thing," Jones said. "We did speak about it. We spoke about wanting to be the best team in the league, wanting to be one of the best defenses. Wanting to be the closest team in the league, so I think those things are coming into fruition now, and it's good to see those things that we spoke on in OTAs, and just knowing that, you're grinding, you keep going at it with hard work, and the good Lord, anything can happen."
The offseason program and the attendance built something the Seahawks fall back on week after week.
Jones said, "It just furthered that connection, that trust that we have, and we keep speaking on it, we're going to keep speaking on it, and I think that's what's been carrying us through. Nobody's out there playing for individual stats. Winning brings a lot of things for you personally. So we're out there playing as a team, and winning games."
A week after the final preseason game, and reflecting on the offseason program, Macdonald said, "It's so important. It's like, 'Hey, why do we practice this week?' We can take this week off,' but it's about stacking wins. It's about being with your teammates, building the connection, building your bodies, building the callous, understanding the details, incremental gains all the time. I found that when you do it with your teammates in this atmosphere, you work the hardest, you get the most out of it, you get the most bang for your buck, and your team becomes better for it."
As he stepped up to the podium on Wednesday, Macdonald stood in front of a backdrop with the NFC Championship logo on it, taking note of the backdrop, different than the usual Seahawks Virginia Mason Franciscan Health logo backdrop, Macdonald joked, "All sorts of new stuff."
But he is confident that without the attendance the team had during the offseason, he wouldn't even be standing in front of an NFC Championship logo backdrop or preparing to take on the Los Angeles Rams for the third time this season.
"We would not be here if the guys didn't buy-in the way they did and work the way they did in the offseason. And it's easier said than done. You can ask until your blue in the face for them to come to our offseason program. If you haven't built something out the way that (director of player performance and development) Ivan (Lewis) and (head strength coach) Danny (Van Dijk) and the rest of the guys built out, and our coaches create an environment where they feel like they can come in and get great work in and spend time with their teammates and actually improve as a player, if you're not doing those things to back it up, guys aren't going to want to come. Really, it's the players taking a leap of faith, trusting us and trusting what we've been able to bring to the table for them, and our coaches and staff creating an awesome environment where they feel like they can get better. So, if we didn't do it we would not be here right now. I'm convinced of that."
Lawrence, who was just six weeks into his Seahawks tenure when the offseason program started, said having that many players together was "truly something special."
"Being able to get all the guys together and being able to start that process early is unique. Everybody has their own things they have to deal with, families, whatever the situation might be in the offseason. So, it's kind of hard to be in one place. To have a young, committed team, and to be able to spend their offseason here in Seattle, and focus on one goal that doesn't happen until February is truly something special.
"The fact that we want to be here, we're bought in. We just, with everything he said, we just bought into it, to be honest. We believed in what he said and believed in the coaches and how they coach us. Then we just built on it from there. Once you see the work that we put in and you see the results happen, it's like, you got to believe in what you did back in OTAs because it got us here."
And because Macdonald is a process-oriented mind, he knew one day he and his team would be in the position they are now.
"You look back a year or two into the whole process, and you feel like we've made a lot of progress," Macdonald said in June. "But it's everybody pushing -- everybody has to push in that direction. That's how you get progress. It can't just be me. Our coaches, staff, everybody in the building, you know, you really feel that we're pushing in the same direction, and it's really exciting."
And Seattle has made progress that has it pushing for a chance to play in the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 as they get ready to host the L.A. Rams at Lumen Field for the NFC Championship.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) and running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) and linebacker Chazz Surratt (44)practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Cam Akers (30) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44), linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) and linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46) practiced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
