The Seahawks wrap up their June 2025 minicamp with Sam Darnold as QB1. See how Coach Macdonald's new culture is shaping the team for the 2025 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The offseason workout program is officially in the books, and a new feeling is emanating from the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Head Coach Mike Macdonald declared his squad 'a connected group' as the team wrapped up mandatory minicamp a day early on June 11. With new quarterback Sam Darnold leading the charge and a roster free of major injuries, the Seahawks head into their summer break with a palpable sense of optimism and a clear vision for the 2025 season.
This is a fun group to work with.
Coach Macdonald's first offseason program concluded with high marks for energy and focus. By wrapping minicamp up after just two days, the team not only gets a head start on their break but also has the flexibility for additional OTA sessions for younger players. The full participation of stars like DK Metcalf and Devon Witherspoon underscored the buy-in to the new regime. Unlike the Pete Carroll era, the team is also slated for joint practices in August with the Green Bay Packers, signaling a new approach to training camp preparation.
The Seahawks have officially handed the keys to Sam Darnold. According to reports from ESPN's Brady Henderson, the decision came down to Darnold's youth, leadership, and cost-effectiveness. The coaching staff is building the offense around his strengths, implementing a new scheme designed to get him on the move and reduce the sacks that plagued the offense under Geno Smith. The focus is clear: establish a dominant run game and use play-action to leverage Darnold's ability to throw outside the pocket. His performance is the central storyline heading into the fall.
The front office backed up its commitment to the new offensive philosophy in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Seahawks invested heavily in the trenches, selecting powerful North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel to bolster protection. They also added versatile weapons like Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo and South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. In a move for the future, the team drafted Alabama's Jalen Milroe in the third round, securing a high-upside developmental quarterback to learn behind Darnold. The draft class screams physicality and a commitment to winning at the line of scrimmage.
While the offseason has been full of positive news, a brutal reality awaits on the schedule. The Seahawks are projected to have one of the league's toughest finishes, with their final three games coming against division rivals. They host the Rams for a critical Thursday Night Football showdown on December 18 before heading on the road to face the Panthers and the 49ers. After missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker last season despite winning their final two games, Seattle knows that this gauntlet could make or break their postseason aspirations.
The pieces are in place. A new coach has established a new culture, the quarterback situation is settled, and the roster has been infused with young talent tailored to the new schemes. Now, the Seahawks enter the quiet part of the year. The next big checkpoint is training camp in late July, where the pads will come on and the real competition begins, highlighted by joint practices with the Packers. For now, the 12s can feel optimistic about the direction of their team.
