A Sobering Silence in the Seahawks Locker Room
The Seahawks locker room recently adopted an uncommon demeanor, quiet, thoughtful, and reflective. For the first time in nearly a year, postgame conversations unfolded without the usual blast of bass-heavy music drowning out voices, allowing teammates to speak clearly and individuals space to process.
That quiet was punctuated by veteran outside linebacker Demarcus Lawrence, who, after Seattle’s 33–31 defeat to the previously winless Commanders in suburban Washington, D.C., conveyed calm confidence despite the team’s first loss since November 2025. “We’re the Darkside Defense. Trust me, we ain’t goin nowhere,” Lawrence told reporters en route home from Maryland. He acknowledged the Commanders’ solid effort but emphasized that outcomes ultimately hinge on Seattle’s execution: “They played a great game. We played a bad game.”
Teammate Leonard Williams, a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive lineman, echoed that sentiment in a Monday social media post, calling the setback “a little fuel to the fire,” underscored with a fire emoji.
The loss, while notable, did not unsettle the squad’s underlying belief, a confidence sharpened by their Super Bowl triumph and a franchise-record 12-game winning streak that just concluded.
Seattle’s offense contributed 21 points through three uncharacteristic turnovers, including two from rookie running back Jadarian Price and one each from quarterback Sam Darnold. The defense yielded 33 points and faltered on critical third-down stops in the final minutes, while special teams contributed to the slide. Yet the team’s standing, 2–1 with a loss to 3–0 San Francisco, has not prompted alarm.
Head coach Mike Macdonald, reviewing film upon returning to Seattle, highlighted the group’s resilience. “I’m proud of the mentality we’ve had today,” he said Monday. “You can tell they’re upset, which they should be. But you can feel the resolve. You can feel the eagerness to get back at it on Wednesday.” It’s an unusual optimism to surface right after a loss: pride in effort, not just result.
“Price’s next” became a quiet refrain around the team. Though Seattle outgained Washington 457 to 258 yards, three giveaways proved costly: Price’s second fumble in two games led to his benching, while Darnold’s two interceptions capped the offensive miscues. Macdonald noted Price is aware of the expectation to protect the ball more carefully.
Price, speaking inside the unusually still locker room in Maryland, admitted he’s working to recalibrate his focus. “I made a mistake early on,” he said, “so just got to deal with the consequences that come with that.” His emphasis this week, he added, is on situational awareness over flash: “Just trying to get every yard I can. But I’ve got to focus on keeping the ball.”
Head coach Luke Macdonald indicated on Monday that the team has drawn a valuable lesson from recent events and that running back Zach Price is expected to return to the tailback position for Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Macdonald noted that Price understands the necessity of protecting the football and that the coaching staff will continue to feature him in the offense, expressing confidence in his work ethic and commitment to fulfilling his role.
Two specific defensive lapses late in the game against the Washington Commanders were highlighted by Macdonald and quarterback Sam Darnold. With the Seahawks trailing 33-31 and just two minutes remaining, Washington faced a third-and-nine situation. Anticipating a pass from veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, Macdonald deployed a blitz, sending weakside linebacker Drake Thomas to pressure the quarterback.
Mariota, who had returned from a glute strain sustained in the September 9 opener against New England and finished the game with 379 passing yards and four touchdowns, recognized the blitz and altered the play at the line of scrimmage. Instead of passing, he executed a stretch run around the edge, handing the ball to running back Rachaad White. White capitalized on the gap created by Thomas’s blitz to gain 19 yards for a first down.
In a post-game interview with The News Tribune, Thomas acknowledged that he needed to better recognize Mariota’s ability to change plays and avoid diving inside too aggressively. The linebacker stated that while the defense was expecting a pass, he had to maintain his position against the run and set the edge. Macdonald described the play as a successful check against a zero blitz, which ultimately forced Seattle to burn its remaining defensive timeouts.
On the final play of the game, with the Seahawks’ last opportunity to regain possession, Mariota retained the ball on a run-pass option and ran out the end. Darnold, a 34-year-old, noted that the defense had prepared for such a play all week, but the veteran quarterback reserved it for the final moment. Lawrence emphasized the importance of attention to detail in these critical situations.
Macdonald stated that the team is refocusing on the process that led to their championship status, aiming to refine their execution before facing the San Francisco 49ers in consecutive home games over the next two Sundays. He characterized the loss in Washington as a significant learning experience for the entire squad, particularly regarding how they identify and implement solutions during game situations.
On the defensive side, Pro Bowl safety Julian Love was absent from the Washington game, as was fellow starter Ty Okada. The player filling in for Coby Bryant, who departed via free agency to the Chicago Bears this spring, has missed the first three games of the season due to a hamstring injury.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald reported on Monday that safety Julian Love is dealing with a tight calf muscle, an issue that flared up during Thursday’s practice session. While Love’s status for the upcoming weekend matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers remains uncertain, Macdonald noted that Love completed an extensive workout earlier in the day with positive results. The decision on whether Love will suit up will be determined on a day-to-day basis, pending how his body responds to further activity through Wednesday.
In Love’s absence, the team turned to AJ Finley and Rodney Thomas, who started at safety against the Washington Commanders. Both players spent the early part of the season on the practice squad before earning starting roles. To bolster depth at the position, the Seahawks elevated safety Maxen Hook from the practice squad for the previous game. Macdonald praised Finley and Thomas for their communication and overall play, though he acknowledged there were opportunities they could capitalize on in future contests.
The coaching staff is also evaluating the role of Nick Emmanwori, a player listed as a safety who has been deployed primarily on the line of scrimmage, mimicking the duties of a strong-side or Sam linebacker. Against the Commanders, Emmanwori appeared on 52 percent of Seattle’s defensive snaps, totaling 36 of 69 plays. This significant increase in playing time followed his season debut against the Arizona Cardinals, where he played just nine snaps after returning from arthroscopic ankle surgery performed in July.
Macdonald expressed satisfaction with Emmanwori’s performance, highlighting several strong plays and the mental approach the player took in his return. The head coach suggested that Emmanwori could serve in multiple roles across the front, middle, and back of the defense, similar to his versatile rookie campaign last year when the Seahawks posted the league’s best scoring defense. The staff is currently deliberating on the optimal process for determining where and how often Emmanwori will play, aiming to give him a focused game plan while maximizing his impact across three different position groups.