Field Gulls
Seahawks insider Gregg Bell breaks down standout moments from minicamp, how Mike Macdonald is setting the tone in his second year, and what it all means for Seattle’s 2025 season hopes.
With Seattle Seahawks minicamp in the books and preseason around the corner, it’s time to take stock of where the team stands. On a recent episode of The HawksZone Rundown, Tacoma News Tribune insider Gregg Bell joins the show for a detailed breakdown of the offseason’s biggest developments, and what they reveal about Seattle’s direction heading into the 2025 season.
Here are some of the major takeaways from the conversation:
Minicamp may be over, but it left a clear impression. Gregg highlighted a handful of players who turned heads with strong performances—some expected, some under the radar. These early standouts could play key roles when training camp begins, and depth charts start to take shape.
The quarterback room looks different this year, and Gregg offered his insight on how it’s coming together. From Sam Darnold’s status as the incumbent to the development of Jalen Milroe and what Drew Lock’s presence means, the group is deeper—and more competitive—than it’s been in recent years. Gregg breaks down how the coaching staff is managing the room and what fans should realistically expect heading into the season.
Entering Year 2, head coach Mike Macdonald is beginning to imprint his identity on the team. Gregg discussed how players are responding to Macdonald’s leadership style—defined by discipline, detail, and a quiet intensity. The culture shift is already noticeable, and it’s setting the tone for a more focused and accountable team.
“Macdonald is just so much more assertive and he’s just more comfortable on the field,” Bell said. “You see him talking with the offensive players, you see him in the offensive drills more than he did last year. Last year he pretty much just stuck himself on defense at practices, called the defense and never went to the offense. He left it up to Ryan Grubb and we saw what happened in the results of that.
“This year he’s spending the first parts of practices, so far anyway, the offseason practices with the offense, he has delegated some of the practice play calling responsibility to Aden Durde the defensive coordinator, who really isn’t the defensive coordinator because he doesn’t call the plays during games. But it seems to me he has ceded some responsibility in time at practice on defense to Durde while he’s been on the offensive side. So that’s a tangible difference on the field that I’ve noticed already.”
Seattle made several strategic moves in free agency and the draft, many of which flew under the national radar. Gregg explained how these additions—especially on defense and the offensive line—could quietly become foundational pieces. They may not be flashy, but...
