What the Seahawks’ next schematic evolution could look like

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RENTON, WASHINGTON - JULY 25: Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on July 25, 2026 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Seattle Seahawks have established a clear identity under Mike Macdonald. The next step is determining how that identity continues to evolve as Seattle enters another season with a roster increasingly suited to what Macdonald wants to accomplish.

That was the focus of my latest episode of The Hawks Eye, where I was joined by Griffin Sturgeon (aka cmikesspinmove) of the Seattle Overload Podcast. Rather than focusing on individual camp performances or projecting the depth chart, our conversation centered on a larger question:

How can Seattle become more difficult to prepare for schematically on both sides of the football?

Creating conflict on defense​

For me, the next stage of the defense begins with multiplicity.

That does not necessarily mean expanding the playbook with an overwhelming number of new calls. The greater advantage is having personnel capable of presenting several different structures without substituting.

Seattle could potentially show a traditional nickel alignment before shifting into a five-man surface, presenting pressure from multiple locations and ultimately rushing four. The same personnel could provide answers in big nickel, dime or heavier fronts depending on the opponent and situation.

That is where players with positional versatility become particularly valuable.

Nick Emmanwori is an intriguing example. His combination of size and athleticism potentially gives Macdonald the ability to deploy him as more than a box player. There are opportunities to use him at nickel, as an overhang defender, drop him deep or even as a true edge defender based on specific matchup assignments.

The more responsibilities players can legitimately handle, the less information Seattle has to provide an offense before the snap.

Griffin and I also spent considerable time discussing the difference between bringing pressure and presenting pressure.

Macdonald can threaten the line of scrimmage with linebackers and defensive backs, forcing the quarterback and offensive line to identify potential rushers and adjust protection. Seattle can then drop defenders into coverage and rush four from a completely different combination.

The pressure does not necessarily have to arrive to affect the play; the presentation itself can influence protection rules, create favorable matchups and force the quarterback to process additional information.

Creating conflict on offense​

Seattle can attempt to create similar conflict offensively under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury.

Fleury’s background naturally creates interest in what Seattle might incorporate from the Kyle Shanahan offensive tree. I do not view that as just copying concepts from the San Francisco 49ers. The more important element is understanding the principles that have made those offenses consistently challenging to defend.

Condensed formations, purposeful motion, drop back pass concepts, personnel versatility and marrying the run game with play action can force defenses to defend several possibilities from an almost identical initial picture.

Motion, in particular, can accomplish much more than creating movement before the snap. It can help identify coverage, alter formation strength, manipulate leverage and force defenders to communicate. It can also provide Sam Darnold with information before he begins working through his post-snap progression. Through training camp there has been a lot of pre-snap motion in Fleury’s play calls, particularly involving his tight ends.

The same personnel grouping, formation and motion can potentially lead to outside zone, a complementary run concept, play action, a keeper, screen or explosive downfield opportunity.

That is the offensive version of what Macdonald is attempting to accomplish defensively: make the opponent process more information while revealing as little as possible.

Ultimately, Seattle’s next evolution may be about finding more ways to operate from the same personnel and presentations.

Griffin and I explored these ideas in much greater detail on “Seattle’s Next Evolution: Macdonald’s Defense & Fleury’s Offense,” including potential defensive packages, pressure structures, personnel chess pieces, and the concepts Fleury could bring to Seattle’s offense.

The full conversation is available now on The Hawks Eye for anyone interested in examining where the Seahawks could go next from a coaching and schematic perspective.

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