Mike MacDonald of the Seahawks hires a splash coordinator.

Ryan Grubb and Aden Durde are poised to lead the units in Seattle, as the Seahawks undergo significant changes under their innovative new head coach, Mike Macdonald. Grubb, formerly the offensive coordinator at the University of Washington, has joined the Seahawks following speculation that arose upon Macdonald’s appointment. The move is seen as a response to the Seahawks’ inconsistent offensive performance since the departure of Russell Wilson, with Grubb bringing a reputation for a pass-first approach that emphasizes utilizing players’ strengths. This stands in contrast to the previous offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, who was criticized for not tailoring the playbook to the team’s strengths.

Grubb’s success at the University of Washington is a source of excitement for many Seahawks fans, given his creative offensive scheme that produced impressive statistics, including five skill players with 420+ yards last season. The offensive talent pool for the Seahawks, including elite running back Kenneth Walker and star receivers DK Metcalf, Jaxson Smith Njigba, and Tyler Lockett, adds to the anticipation surrounding Grubb’s impact.

On the defensive front, Aden Durde, coming from the Dallas Cowboys, is set to take on the role of defensive coordinator for the Seahawks. Despite traditionally being responsible for calling defensive plays, Macdonald announced he would handle that duty himself. Durde, who served as the Cowboys’ defensive line coach under Dan Quinn, demonstrated success with a defensive line that achieved about 50 sacks last season. The hope is that Durde can address the Seahawks’ historical lack of a consistent pass rush and elevate the performance of current players, potential free agents, and incoming rookies.

Durde’s coaching background includes stints with the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons, where he worked in various defensive coaching roles. With the upcoming NFL Draft and free agency, coupled with the addition of these coordinators, the Seahawks are expected to undergo significant transformation for the 2024 season. The impact of these changes remains uncertain, but fans will have to wait patiently to see how the team evolves.