Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton have resolved tensions after a video surfaced showing Macdonald discussing a 2024 conflict between the teams involving allegations of cheating. Speaking on Wednesday, Macdonald stated that his remarks were intended to remain private and that he reached out to Payton on Tuesday to apologize for the public disclosure. He explained that he did not intend for those comments to be used publicly and felt it was appropriate to contact Payton to express regret that the conversation became public knowledge. Payton addressed the matter later that afternoon, confirming he spoke with Macdonald on Tuesday night and accepted the apology. He affirmed that the two coaches are on good terms, noting he has been in similar positions where private discussions became public.
Interview clip surfaces
A clip posted on X Tuesday from an interview Macdonald conducted with Graham Bensinger showed the Seattle coach describing a private interaction with Payton during the 2024 season. In the recording, the Denver coach accused Seattle of cheating, prompting the Seahawks to threaten legal action. Macdonald indicated he did not believe that portion of the interview would be shared publicly. In a statement issued Wednesday evening, Bensinger said the full interview was provided to the Seahawks public relations team for review five days prior to its release on YouTube, and that no objections were raised regarding the discussion of Payton. He stated the segment was removed after Macdonald contacted him Tuesday morning to express concern. Bensinger added that he told the coach he regretted including the exchange and acknowledged it was an error in judgment.
Coaches look forward
Macdonald described the situation as a lesson learned, stating he is responsible for his words regardless of whether he is recorded or has an understanding of privacy. He admitted the situation stings but intends to learn from it. Regarding Payton’s reaction, Macdonald said the Denver coach was great and expressed deep respect for him and his program. He noted it has been good to get to know Payton at recent owners meetings and that both coaches are ready to move past the incident.
Details of 2024 dispute
The footage that emerged Tuesday detailed how the Seahawks scouted approximately 100 plays from Broncos training camp that had been posted to social media by fans prior to the 2024 season opener against Denver, which marked Macdonald’s first game as head coach. Seattle won that game with a score of 26-20. Macdonald stated that mid-season, Payton learned of the scouting activity and called to accuse the team of violating rules, drawing comparisons to the New England Patriots Spygate scandal and sign-stealing issues at the University of Michigan, where Macdonald served as defensive coordinator in 2021. Macdonald maintained that the Seahawks did not cheat, as they used only publicly available footage, and asserted they were prepared to file a lawsuit if Payton made the accusations public.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton recalled a tense exchange with Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald following their 2024 season opener, describing the period as a "Cold War" where both sides held back from escalating the conflict. Payton revealed in an interview on Wednesday that his team threatened legal action if Macdonald’s public comments proved inaccurate, a move that ultimately led the Seahawks coach to soften his stance, though the underlying tension remained palpable between the two programs.
The dispute centered on how Seattle obtained video of Denver’s training camp plays. Payton admitted he was initially frustrated by the footage’s availability and contacted Seattle’s general manager, John Schneider, with whom he has a long-standing personal relationship. Payton acknowledged that his first call to Schneider was likely stern, noting he "called shooting before I started looking." He emphasized that his familiarity with Schneider allowed for a candid conversation, as they are friends who socialize together during NFL scouting events.
Following that phone call, the Broncos investigated the source of the leaked plays and discovered that videos from their practice sessions had been uploaded to social media by fans. This discovery prompted Denver to adjust its protocols for future training camps to better control visual exposure. Payton stated that while he did not believe the fans acted with malicious intent, the incident highlighted the need for stricter policies regarding what is visible to the public.
Since 2025, the Broncos have limited fan access to training camp due to ongoing construction of their new facility. The small number of attendees, seated in temporary bleachers, are prohibited from recording any portion of the practice. Team security actively enforces this rule, and signage reading "Protect our plays" has been installed to remind spectators of the policy.
The Seahawks enforce a similar no-filming rule, often making announcements during specific practice windows to alert fans. While the majority of NFL teams restrict video recording during training camps, exceptions exist; for instance, the Dallas Cowboys have allowed filming during their recent training camps in Oxnard, California.
The two teams are set to face off again on Oct. 15 in Denver for a Thursday Night Football game, marking their first meeting since the 2024 opener. Payton indicated that despite the previous friction, he maintains a high level of respect for Macdonald and supports the Seahawks in all matchups except when they play against Denver. He noted that a recent conversation between the two coaches went well, reinforcing their professional rapport.