Seahawks Bask in Super Bowl Glory, But Face New Challenges as Defending Champions

Head coach Mike Macdonald knows Seattle is now the team to beat after dominant Super Bowl LX win.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Less than 24 hours after coaching the Seattle Seahawks to their second Super Bowl title in 12 years, head coach Mike Macdonald is already looking ahead to the 2026 season. The Seahawks entered the 2025 campaign as underdogs but put on an all-time display in Super Bowl LX, shutting out the Patriots for the first 47 minutes of the game and sacking MVP runner-up Drake Maye six times. Now, Macdonald knows his team is "target No. 1" and will have to continue "chasing edges" to stay on top.

Why it matters

The Seahawks' Super Bowl victory was a surprise to many, as they were not expected to be title contenders. Their dominant performance has now made them the team to beat, putting a target on their backs as they try to defend their championship. Macdonald will need to keep his team hungry and innovative to maintain their edge.

The details

Macdonald said the Seahawks' mentality is to "keep pushing the envelope" with their personnel and not just copy what other teams are doing. He acknowledged there will be times when teams "get a beat" on them, and they'll have to "move and shake" to stay ahead. The Seahawks' defense was "relentless" in the Super Bowl, sacking the Patriots' quarterback six times, and Macdonald was impressed by how his team played with such determination.

  • The Seahawks won Super Bowl LX on February 9, 2026.
  • The Seahawks' Super Bowl parade is scheduled for Wednesday in Seattle.

The players

Mike Macdonald

The head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, who led the team to their second Super Bowl title in 12 years.

Kenneth Walker III

The Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks.

Sam Darnold

The Seahawks' starting quarterback.

Klint Kubiak

The Seahawks' outgoing offensive coordinator, who is joining the Raiders as their new head coach.

Drake Maye

The Patriots' MVP runner-up quarterback, who was sacked six times by the Seahawks' defense.

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What they’re saying

“We use the term 'chasing edges' here in Seattle. You have to live like that, you know, you can't be copying everybody else. We want to be on the forefront of things. We know that -- we know that we're target No. 1 now.”

— Mike Macdonald, Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks (NFL.com)

“It's funny, I told the team, on Saturday night, you know, I got a bad habit of hemming and hawing in my office, and with the rest of our coaching staff, thinking about plays and what we're gonna run, and how it's gonna go, and then you get around the guys, and you see them, and all of a sudden, all those worries kind of go away magically.”

— Mike Macdonald, Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Seahawks will need to hire a new offensive coordinator to replace Klint Kubiak, who is leaving to become the Raiders' head coach. They will also begin preparations for the 2026 season, with the NFL Scouting Combine coming up in two weeks.

The takeaway

The Seahawks' Super Bowl victory has made them the team to beat in the NFL, but maintaining their edge and staying on top will require constant innovation and a relentless mentality from head coach Mike Macdonald and his players. The Seahawks must continue "chasing edges" to fend off the competition and defend their championship.