Seattle's Ernest Jones IV hypes the 2025 defense under Mike Macdonald, but injury concerns for Abe Lucas linger. Get the latest Seahawks OTA updates from June 11.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The buzz coming out of the Virginia Mason Athletic Center is getting louder, and it's emanating from the defensive side of the ball. As the Seahawks wrapped up another week of OTAs, linebacker Ernest Jones IV dropped a tantalizing quote, proclaiming the 2025 defense under new head coach Mike Macdonald could be 'something crazy.' While that optimism fuels excitement for a new era, a familiar and crucial question remains on offense: the health of right tackle Abe Lucas.
I think this defense can be something crazy.
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV isn't just drinking the Kool-Aid; he's serving it. His confidence in the new defensive scheme under Mike Macdonald reflects a palpable shift in energy. After years of underperformance, the belief is that Macdonald, the architect of Baltimore's dominant 2024 defense, is the man to unlock this unit's potential. Jones's high praise sets a lofty bar for the season, framing the defense as the potential engine for the team's success. For fans desperate for a return to hard-hitting, intelligent Seahawks football, these are the exact words they want to hear.
While the defense inspires hype, the offense inspires a nervous crossing of fingers. The key figure in that anxiety is right tackle Abe Lucas. After missing 21 games over two seasons, his update was cautiously optimistic: 'I'm playing. That's a good sign.' While he admits he's not 100%, his presence on the field at all is a massive development. The Seahawks are banking on him and rookie guard Grey Zabel to stabilize the right side of a line that desperately needs continuity. Every snap Lucas takes in June is a victory, but his long-term durability remains the single biggest variable for the offense heading into training camp.
In a clear signal of the new regime's approach, the Seahawks moved their mandatory minicamp up a week to June 10-12. This strategic shift allows for an extra week of OTAs that will likely focus on developing younger players, while veterans get a head start on their pre-training camp rest. It's a smart move that prioritizes both development and health. Among the veterans getting acclimated is receiver Cooper Kupp, who noted the similarities in the new offense to schemes he's thrived in before. His smooth transition, coupled with the staff's forward-thinking schedule change, shows a team that is methodically building its foundation for 2025.
With mandatory minicamp now just days away, all eyes will be on how these storylines develop. Can the defense live up to its 'crazy' potential in a more intense setting? And will Abe Lucas continue to stack good days, solidifying an offensive line that is pivotal to Geno Smith's success? The new coaching staff has made its first strategic move with the schedule; now we get to see the product on the field before the team breaks for the summer.
