The Seahawks' veterans showed 100% participation in their 2025 voluntary offseason program, impressing head coach Mike Macdonald. This commitment is seen as a key factor in their Super Bowl victory.
Key points
Seahawks veterans had 100% participation in offseason program
Mike Macdonald praised the team's commitment
Offseason program includes weight training and on-field exercises
Team culture contributed to winning NFC West and Super Bowl 60
Mentioned in this story
Mike Macdonald
Seattle SeahawksSuper Bowl 60NFC West
Last spring into summer, it was what Mike Macdonald ended up pointing to as the foundational reason his Seahawks ultimately won the Super Bowl.
Veterans fully bought into the teamâs 2025 voluntary offseason program at its Virginia Mason Athletic Center. The playersâ 100% participation blew away the head coach and his assistants. The Seahawks to get ahead on the playbook in those spring days in Renton. They created a culture of togetherness in the locker room. The team sustained that through winning the NFC West in January, and Super Bowl 60 in February.
One year later, as newly minted NFL champions, they are doing it again.
Monday was the first day of the Seahawksâ voluntary offseason program. This phase one last two weeks and includes weight training, position meetings and on-field exercises.
After the Seahawks won their first Super Bowl in 12 years then had a massive celebration into mid-February, Macdonald told the teamâs veteran starters they could skip this first, two-week phase of the offseason program. The coaches were set to focus on developing younger players these next two weeks.
Yet Monday there were three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon, 33-year-old veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed and fourth-year linebacker Derick Hall in the building and on the field with their younger teammates for day one of the offseason. âGuys that just wanted to be around the guys again,â Macdonald said.
âI thought that was really cool.â
More than just cool. The coach said he was âblown away.â
Q&A
What was the significance of the Seahawks' 100% participation in the offseason program?
The 100% participation in the offseason program is viewed as a foundational reason for the Seahawks' success, including their Super Bowl victory.
Who is Mike Macdonald and what did he say about the Seahawks' offseason program?
Mike Macdonald is the head coach of the Seahawks, and he expressed that the team's full commitment to the offseason program was impressive and crucial for their success.
What activities are included in the Seahawks' voluntary offseason program?
The Seahawks' voluntary offseason program includes weight training, position meetings, and on-field exercises.
How did the Seahawks perform in the previous season leading to their Super Bowl win?
The Seahawks won the NFC West in January and went on to win Super Bowl 60 in February, showcasing their strong team culture and commitment.
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All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, NFL offensive player of the year for 2025, flanked by coach Mike Macdonald (left) and general manager John Schneider (right) after signing his four-year contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the teamâs Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.
All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, NFL offensive player of the year for 2025, flanked by coach Mike Macdonald (left) and general manager John Schneider (right) after signing his four-year contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the teamâs Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.
The 25-year-old Witherspoon is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Heâs next up to get a huge payday with an extension, likely by training camp starting in late July. Witherspoon will follow fellow 2023 first-round draft choice Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The NFL offensive player of the year and All-Pro for 2025 got his $168 million extension with Seattle last month in the richest deal in NFL history for a wide receiver.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) reacts to a stop on defense during the first quarter of the game at Lumen Field, on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) reacts to a stop on defense during the first quarter of the game at Lumen Field, on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle.
(Brian Hayes/bhayes@thenewstribune.com)
Reed will be entering his 11th season in the league, his age-34 season.
Hall, 25, will be in the final season of his rookie contract in 2026. They being on the field with teammates for voluntary work in April two months after they won the Super Bowl, when their coaches told they could blow it off, may prove to be more important to their defense of the title this year than the draft that begins Thursday.
That is, if itâs anything like the spring of 2025 proved to be for the Seahawks.
âWe tiered our offseason program from having a later finish this season. But I was blown away by some of the guys that showed up (Monday) and that we werenât asking to be here at this point in time,â Macdonald, the teamâs culture-setter, said.
âThe energy is really great. Thereâs still a sense of urgency and spirit to the guys, which is exciting. Itâs mostly just strength and conditioning at this point, and some individual meetings.
âThis is one of the best times of year to see the guys again after the break.â
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter of Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter of Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.
