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Dan Graziano
Multiple Authors
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The top team in the NFL flew under the radar during the 2025 season. With a standout defense and special teams, a quarterback facing doubt, and a 38-year-old second-year coach whose personality is mostly unknown to outsiders, the Seattle Seahawks kept their focus and continued to improve.
Coach Mike Macdonald instilled the motto “Loose and focused” within the Seahawks, and they embodied that mantra all the way to a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots, securing the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.
“We love each other,” said Seahawks safety Julian Love, who contributed with one of two fourth-quarter interceptions from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, clinching the win during a commanding defensive performance by Seattle. “We’re always having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously; but when the game starts, we know to get to work.”
The Seahawks executed this game plan against a Patriots offense that struggled throughout the postseason. Maye had been sacked five times in each of New England’s first three playoff games, but Seattle surpassed that by getting to him six times in the Super Bowl. Their defensive line pressured Maye relentlessly, stifling any chance for the Patriots to build momentum.
“The players up front played the most selfless game of their careers,” said Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde. “It didn’t matter who got the sack — just that someone did.”
Byron Murphy, who notched seven sacks in the regular season, recorded two in this game. There were also surprising contributions, with Derick Hall matching his regular-season total with two, rookie Rylie Mills getting his first sack, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon blitzing effectively for another.
“After analyzing their film, we could see how their tackles were adjusting in pass protection, and we knew they were having a tough time this postseason,” Witherspoon explained. “So, we focused our attack there.”
The Patriots were ill-prepared to counter the Seahawks’ dominant defense. Eight of their first nine possessions ended in punts, with the only other resulting in a kneel-down. By the end of the third quarter, the Patriots had amassed just 78 total yards and as many first downs – five – as the Seahawks had sacks.
This was a significant achievement for Macdonald, who expertly devised pressures throughout the game. Love mentioned that new plays were being installed as late as Saturday, which has become a trend under Macdonald.
“He is constantly game-planning,” said Seattle defensive lineman Leonard Williams. “Sometimes we introduce new plays on Saturday morning or even during halftime on Sunday. It feels like you need a Harvard degree to keep up with this defense, yet we trust Mike’s brilliance, and it pays off.”
This season, the Seahawks were not expected to compete at the same level as the Rams and 49ers, who were seen as the frontrunners in the NFC West. Up until mid-December, the Rams were the predicted favorites for the Super Bowl, and Seattle’s comeback victory over them in Week 16 was dismissed as a mere fluke, even as it launched them to the top of the NFC playoff standings.
While the Seahawks’ offense was inconsistent through the season, the rushing game struggled initially, and quarterback Sam Darnold faced doubts concerning his ability to perform in crucial moments. After leading Minnesota to a 14-3 season in 2024, the Vikings let him go, allowing Seattle to sign him in free agency for a reasonable $33.5 million per year.
Darnold proved his critics wrong in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams, and despite facing a tough Patriots defense on Sunday, he delivered a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to AJ Barner, extending Seattle’s lead to 19-0.
“I didn’t play my best game today, but my teammates stepped up for me,” Darnold expressed. “The defense and special teams supported us, and we played true to form.”
Seattle’s special teams were instrumental throughout the season as well. Punter Michael Dickson played a crucial role, as field position was key.
Even after an injury sidelined Zach Charbonnet in the playoffs, the running game improved significantly enough for Kenneth Walker III to take on the responsibility. After rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries against New England, Walker was aptly named Super Bowl MVP.
“K-9 is something special!” Love proclaimed. “To see his hard work rewarded with the MVP title is fantastic.”
Walker did not score a touchdown, which kept the game at 12-0 late in the third quarter. but, Hall’s second sack resulted in Maye’s costly fumble, which Murphy recovered, giving the Seahawks prime field position at New England’s 37-yard line. Shortly thereafter, Darnold connected with Barner in the end zone for Seattle’s first touchdown.
“We focused on our strengths and executed our game plan,” Williams stated. “We told ourselves that we only needed to be ourselves, but we really had to embody that. When everyone fulfills their role effectively, we become unstoppable.”
The Super Bowl may not have been the most visually stunning, but the Seahawks – echoing their coach’s viral moments – are unbothered. This franchise parted ways with its previous two starting quarterbacks when they sought lucrative contracts and turned to Darnold instead. They made the tough decision to move on from a legendary Super Bowl-winning coach after 11 out of 12 winning seasons, believing they needed new defensive strategies to keep pace with high-powered offenses in the division. The Seahawks trust their culture, principles of roster construction, and scouting acumen, all of which shone through on game day.
This win was a testament to Seahawks general manager John Schneider and his front office, who pursued Macdonald two years ago to take over from longtime coach Pete Carroll. It also validated Macdonald’s innovative approach, blending the established culture with fresh ideas. He encouraged his team to view their journey as the foundations of a new program that needed to “become” a championship contender.
The mantra “Loose and focused” encapsulated Seattle’s journey. It’s a phrase that’s become part of their everyday conversation, with playful interactions lighting up the locker room this season. Players often reference “love” and “brotherhood” when discussing their collective response to Macdonald’s messages.
“Leadership is essential for being ‘loose and focused,'” Love emphasized. “Not every coach would appreciate us playfully shadowboxing during practice, but this staff understands that when it matters, our focus is unwavering. It’s okay for players to find their balance.”
Macdonald’s tactical prowess and culture-building culminated in a Super Bowl victory that affirmed the Seahawks’ operational principles. After 12 years between Super Bowl wins, they maintained competitiveness without losing their identity. Even when facing the pressure of the big game for most of their roster, they remained composed.
“I think our experiences this season gave us an advantage,” Macdonald reflected. “With each new experience, we leaned on the principles guiding our operations and decision-making. Distractions are inevitable, but our challenge is how relentlessly we can return to our core focus.”
The outcome was the manifestation of their lifelong ambition – a memory that will be etched in Seahawks and NFL history forever. Loose. Focused. Champions.
