The Seahawks' first day of training camp kicked off on a very PNW-esq summer day – mid-80s with the sun shining on the practice fields of the Virginia Mason Athletic Center practice fields. Fans packed the berm to catch their first glimpses of new and returning faces for Seattle and head coach Mike Macdonald as they held the first training camp practice of 2025.

"I'll tell you what, I'll put our little training camp atmosphere, the 12s, just the weather, everything, all the above is just second to none," Macdonald said in his post practice press conference.

Adding, "Really blessed to be out here with the guys. Great spirits. Locked in. It was the first day back, so there's some things we're working through but really optimistic. Guys are in a great spot."

This training camp marks the second one for Macdonald as head coach of the Seahawks and another step into trying to be a championship-caliber team, after winning 10 games and narrowly missing the playoffs in his first season at the helm of the team.

"Our expectations can't be any higher than what we expect from ourselves. Bring it on. We want to win the championship, but in order to do that we have to become a championship team. We have to become the team that we're trying to be. We have a vision for our team, of who we want to be and we believe that that vision is a team that the 12s are going to be really proud of but it takes time. We have to put it together, we have to do the work, we have to do all the meetings, do all the reps, we have to make those tough decisions. There's so many things that need to happen between now and when we kick it off. That's why every day is so critical. We just can't skip steps."

That mindset, which has trickled down to the players, started during voluntary offseason workouts, where majority of the team showed up for those workouts, even though as the name suggests is voluntary. Macdonald said that dedication has paid off.

"I think it's really important, personally. The guys feel it. They feel the confidence. You talk about our installs today, it's like 'Hey I've heard this three times already,' rather than the first time you're hearing it. Offensively, I think we had almost 100 percent participation the whole time. The execution right now, where they're at compared to where they were at first thing in the spring. Defensively, we're in a little bit of a different timeline, but you feel the connectedness with the guys and that's really important, especially on defense where you have to play off each other. The chemistry is necessary to play good defense."

Adding he can see the difference it's made on the players as well.

"I think it's fun to see the progress coming from the spring and I'll tell you what, the guys are on it. The intent is there and it's like 'Hey let's point out the things we want to grow from day to day. It's great to have the guys back. We missed them."

Macdonald started off his NFL head coaching career as the winningest first-year head coach in franchise history and heading into this second season is using a lot of the same principles to take Seattle to the next level, but this time with a better grasp on what that looks like day-to-day.

"Second time around, I think it's the same message with the rest of the team. If you don't have the mentality of 'Hey let's assess where we were, what we were thinking, why we were doing the things, how we can learn, how we can grow.' I'm right there with the guys. I'd say [I'm] more confident, just have a better feel for what we're trying to achieve on a day in and day out basis, how we message things, keeping it a little tighter. Just a connection with the guys, just being around for another year, the whole staff really. It's really exciting, but a lot of growth."

And as much excitement as there is around the start of training camp and as he was excited for Day 1 of camp, a lot of Macdonald's excitement will come from what the team is able to do when the regular season comes around.

"Run off the rock, man," Macdonald said when asked what he's excited to see his offense do this season. "We want to play our style of ball, let the o-line do their thing, get Sam [Darnold] on the move, separate the defense. All those things. It's fun to watch these guys put it together – in how they drill it, in individual to group. How it all fits together, all the rules, it's really exciting."