Mike Macdonald, the new head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, has been introducing some notable changes as the team gears up for the regular season. One of the most significant shifts from the era of former head coach Pete Carroll is how the team handles the selection of captains.
Under Carroll, the Seahawks traditionally had set team captains for the entire season, typically designating one player each for offense, defense, and special teams. This practice allowed for a consistent leadership presence throughout the season. However, Macdonald has decided to move away from this approach. Instead of having season-long captains, the Seahawks will now appoint different captains each week for individual games.
When asked about this change during his last press conference before the start of the regular season, Macdonald didn’t delve into a detailed explanation but hinted at the rationale behind the decision. The move could be seen as a way to keep leadership roles dynamic, allowing different players to step up and take on leadership responsibilities based on their performance, the specific needs of a given week, or other factors that might arise during the season.
This change is just one of the many ways Macdonald is putting his own stamp on the team. While he hasn’t completely discarded everything from the Carroll era—recognizing that the Seahawks were consistently competitive under Carroll—it’s clear that Macdonald is steering the team in a new direction, one that aligns with his own vision and approach. This dynamic captaincy system could foster a more flexible and responsive leadership structure, keeping players engaged and motivated throughout the season.
As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this and other changes under Macdonald’s leadership impact the Seahawks’ performance and team culture.
