Report: Seahawks ‘eye’ Ravens DC Macdonald and Lions OC Johnson.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming NFL conference championship games, and the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, both in search of a head coach, are closely monitoring the situation. ESPN’s senior NFL insider, Adam Schefter, revealed that the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, and the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, are potential candidates for both teams.
The Seahawks face a challenge with Macdonald due to specific NFL rules. Although Seattle aims to interview Macdonald after the Ravens’ season concludes, they have yet to conduct an initial interview with him. NFL regulations prohibit them from approaching Macdonald until his team is eliminated or reaches the Super Bowl. The timing of Pete Carroll’s departure as head coach on January 10 likely contributed to the Seahawks missing the deadline for initial interviews with playoff team assistant coaches.
Macdonald stands out as the sole reported candidate for the Seahawks’ coaching position who hasn’t undergone an interview. Schefter raises the question of whether Seattle is willing to wait until after the Super Bowl if the Ravens advance. In contrast, Johnson has already had a first interview with the Seahawks before the deadline, and a potential second interview could take place this week, regardless of the Lions’ outcome in the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers.
Sources indicate that the Washington Commanders plan to hold second interviews with four coaches involved in Sunday’s games: Macdonald, Johnson, Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
The Seahawks have reportedly engaged with several NFL assistant coaches, including Johnson, Dan Quinn (Cowboys defensive coordinator), Bobby Slowik (Texans offensive coordinator), Ejiro Evero (Panthers defensive coordinator), Patrick Graham (Raiders defensive coordinator), Mike Kafka (Giants offensive coordinator), and Frank Smith (Dolphins offensive coordinator).
While six NFL teams have already appointed new coaches this month, only one, Raheem Morris, formerly Rams defensive coordinator, is reported to have been a candidate for the Seahawks and has secured the position of head coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
