When Mike Macdonald stepped into the VMAC, the vibe shifted. Fast. It wasn't just about replacing a legend like Pete Carroll; it was about tearing down a specific "Hawks" identity and building something more... well, Baltimore-esque, but with a Pacific Northwest flavor. If you're looking at the seahawks depth chart 2024, you're seeing the fingerprints of a defensive mastermind who doesn't care about how things "used to be." Honestly, the roster underwent a surgical transformation that left some fans scratching their heads while others are already buying Super Bowl LIX futures.
Geno Smith is the guy. Let’s get that out of the way. Despite the Sam Howell trade that had Twitter (or X, whatever) in a frenzy, the coaching staff was clear: Geno is QB1. But the backup situation is actually interesting for once. Sam Howell isn't just a clipboard holder; he's a 23-year-old with 17 starts under his belt. It's a "just in case" insurance policy that the Seahawks haven't really had since, arguably, the early Russell Wilson years.
The Offense: Grubb’s New Playground
Ryan Grubb came over from UW with a reputation for vertical shots and creative spacing. Basically, he’s trying to turn the Seahawks' offense into a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Quarterbacks and Running Backs
Geno Smith leads the charge, with Sam Howell as the primary backup. In the backfield, it’s a two-headed monster. Kenneth Walker III is the explosive home-run hitter, while Zach Charbonnet is the guy you send in when you need to punish a linebacker. They’ve also got Kenny McIntosh lurking as a third option, who finally looks healthy enough to contribute after a redshirt-style rookie year.
The Receiving Corps
This is where the depth chart gets scary.
- DK Metcalf: The physical freak who demands a double team.
- Tyler Lockett: The veteran who somehow always finds the open grass.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The rising star. By the end of 2024, JSN wasn't just a "third option." He was putting up numbers that drew comparisons to Steve Largent.
- Jake Bobo: Everyone’s favorite undrafted hero. He’s more than just a meme; he’s a reliable blocker and a red-zone target.
The tight end room saw a bit of a purge. No more Will Dissly or Colby Parkinson. It’s the Noah Fant show now, supported by Pharaoh Brown and rookie AJ Barner. Barner is the "dirty work" guy—he's there to block first and catch second, which is vital for Grubb's system.
The Offensive Line Headache
If there’s a weak spot, it’s the interior. Charles Cross has the left tackle spot locked down, and Abraham Lucas is the right tackle when his knees cooperate (which, unfortunately, wasn't always the case in 2024). In between them? It was a rotating door of Laken Tomlinson, Anthony Bradford, and rookie Christian Haynes. Connor Williams was a late, massive addition at center, which stabilized things after Olu Oluwatimi and Nick Harris battled it out in camp.
Seahawks depth chart 2024: The Macdonald Defense
This is where the real "expert" stuff happens. Macdonald doesn't run a standard 3-4 or 4-3. It’s a hybrid. It’s weird. It’s effective.
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The Interior Disruptors
Leonard Williams is the anchor. The Seahawks paid him a lot of money to be the "Big Cat," and he lived up to it. Next to him, you've got the rookie powerhouse Byron Murphy II. People were shocked he fell to Seattle at 16, but he fits the Macdonald system perfectly—low center of gravity, insane power, and a motor that doesn't quit. Jarran Reed and Johnathan Hankins provide the veteran beef to stop the run.
The Linebacker Rebuild
Bobby Wagner is gone. Jordyn Brooks is gone. That’s a lot of tackles to replace. Seattle brought in Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker to fill the void. They aren't as "famous" as Wagner, but they are faster. In Macdonald’s scheme, speed matters more than legacy. Rookie Tyrice Knight also saw significant snaps when Baker dealt with nagging injuries.
The Secondary: A No-Fly Zone?
Devon Witherspoon is the heartbeat of this defense. He plays corner, he plays nickel, he hits like a truck. He’s basically everywhere. Opposite him, Riq Woolen looked to bounce back from a sophomore slump.
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The safety position was the most drastic change. Out with Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. In with Rayshawn Jenkins and K'Von Wallace to pair with Pro-Bowler Julian Love. Love has evolved into one of the best safeties in the league, showing a range that allows Macdonald to disguise coverages until the very last second.
Special Teams: The Steady Hands
Not much changed here, and that's a good thing. Jason Myers is still the kicker, Michael Dickson is still the best punter in the universe, and Chris Stoll is the long snapper. When you have a trio this reliable, you don't mess with it. Rashid Shaheed (who joined the mix) and Laviska Shenault Jr. handled return duties, adding some much-needed juice to the third phase of the game.
Why the Depth Matters More Than the Starters
In the 2024 season, Seattle learned that depth isn't a luxury; it's a requirement. When Uchenna Nwosu went down with a knee injury early on, Derick Hall had to step up. Hall, a former second-round pick, finally showed why the Seahawks drafted him, racking up sacks and pressures that kept the defense afloat.
The "next man up" mentality was tested constantly on the offensive line, too. When Stone Forsythe or Josh Jones had to fill in for the tackles, the season could have derailed. It didn't. That’s the mark of a well-constructed depth chart.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Offseason:
- Prioritize the Interior OL: The Bradford/Tomlinson experiment was shaky. Expect the Seahawks to target a high-end guard in the draft or free agency.
- Monitor the RT Situation: Abe Lucas’s health is the biggest "what if" on the roster. If he can't stay on the field, a permanent replacement is needed.
- Extend Julian Love: He is the glue. Keeping him in Seattle long-term is a non-negotiable for this defense to stay elite.
- Feed JSN: The 2024 data shows that when Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets 8+ targets, the offense is significantly more efficient.
The 2024 Seahawks weren't a finished product, but the depth chart proved they have a foundation that can compete with the heavyweights in the NFC West. It’s a younger, faster, and more versatile group than we've seen in years.