RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald returned from the bye week and made two notable changes to his struggling defense.
On Monday, Seattle waived inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson and filled his spot on the active roster by signing cornerback Josh Jobe. Dodson, the defensive play caller for all nine games, will be replaced by fourth-round rookie Tyrice Knight. Ernest Jones, acquired three weeks ago via trade, will remain the starting Mike linebacker and take over play calling.
Jobe has supplanted Tre Brown as the third cornerback, which is effectively a starting position because of how often Seattle is in nickel. Jobe initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie in 2022 and was active in 28 games with three starts (all in 2023) before being released in August and signing to Seattle’s practice squad. After three straight weeks of being elevated and inserted into the starting lineup, he has secured a spot on a defense that Macdonald is hoping to improve in the second half of the season.
“Everything was on the table,” Macdonald said Monday when reflecting on the bye week.
Macdonald’s Seahawks are 4-5 and in last place in the NFC West with slim odds of making the playoffs (5 percent, according to The Athletic’s projection model). The defense ranks 17th in EPA per play and 13th in points per drive (all stats provided by TruMedia unless stated otherwise). The offense has its own set of issues, but it’s understandable that a defensive-minded head coach who also calls the plays on that side of the ball decided to shake things up after a week of reflection.
On offense, Macdonald hinted that offensive tackle George Fant (knee) will head to injured reserve and Abraham Lucas — the starting right tackle who has yet to play this season while recovering from offseason knee surgery — will make his season debut “soon,” potentially against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
“I think that’ll help us,” Macdonald said of Lucas’ return.
Macdonald said the team considered moving center Connor Williams to guard but decided against making a change there. As for the right guard spot, “it is what it is at this point,” Macdonald said, adding that Anthony Bradford will remain the starter, at least for now.
“We can do some things schematically to alleviate some pressure on (the guards),” Macdonald said. “It’s a team effort on that front. … But we expect those guys to keep improving. We’ve shown we’re willing to shake it up if we need to.”
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Macdonald said waiving Dodson was “the best thing for us” because it allows younger players like Knight and Drake Thomas an opportunity to step up, and offers Dodson a chance to “find another spot somewhere else so he can finish the year strong.”
In the offseason, the Seahawks signed Dodson and fellow inside linebacker Jerome Baker to one-year deals worth $4.2 million and $7 million, respectively. They were viewed as cost-effective replacements for Jordyn Brooks (who signed a three-year, $26 million deal with Miami) and Bobby Wagner, now with the Commanders on a one-year contract worth $6.5 million. Baker was traded on Oct. 24 along with a fourth-round pick to the Titans in exchange for Jones.
General manager John Schneider has quickly pulled the plug on free-agent acquisitions in the past, but it is nonetheless notable and significant that he and Macdonald gave up on two players in the same position group, including the defensive play caller. Dodson started all nine games and recorded a team-high 71 total tackles with five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also forced a fumble and had a pair of pass breakups.
It is unusual to move on from multiple every-down players in the middle of a season, but those moves were not without merit. Seattle has one of the worst run defenses in the league, and linebacker play has been part of the problem. Macdonald lamented the explosive plays the Seahawks have allowed and said he “felt like we could have played better at that level” when asked about getting rid of his two starting inside linebackers. He also said the entire defense has fallen short of expectations, and it just so happens that the two biggest changes have come at inside linebacker.
“I hate that it had to work out (like that with) those two guys because those are two guys we respect a lot and that have come in and worked really hard,” Macdonald said. “Sometimes you have to make these decisions and do what you feel is best for our defense to take the next step. That was the decision, (and) it just happened to be those guys. But we do put a lot on our linebackers, we expect a lot from those guys, and that will always be the case here.”
Knight spent the entire preseason with the first-team defense and received mixed reviews from Macdonald, who has often said he wants to see the rookie do more than just make a bunch of tackles. Knight made two starts in place of an injured Baker in Weeks 3 and 4 but was sent back to the bench when Baker’s hamstring healed. Now, Knight will start, but Thomas “might get a crack at it as well,” Macdonald said.
”We expect (Knight) to keep improving as a player,” the coach said. “He’s going to get a lot more reps now. So, just try and take his game to the next level and do what he does: make tackles, play good, solid football for us. Looking forward to seeing what he does with the opportunity.”
Jobe made his Seahawks debut against the Falcons in Week 7, then was elevated from the practice squad for Seattle’s games in Weeks 8 and 9. He spent the week of the Rams game competing in practice with Brown for the starting gig. Jobe got the nod while Brown dressed but didn’t play on defense.
In three games, Jobe has allowed seven catches on 18 targets for 129 yards, with one interception and three pass breakups. He has allowed a passer rating of 41.2 as the nearest defender in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats.
“It backs up our message: You come in here and practice at an elite level, you earn some opportunities in games,” Macdonald said. “You have production in those games and help us win, then we’re going to find a role for you.”
Brown has given up 13 catches on 19 targets for 196 yards and one touchdown as the nearest defender. His passer rating allowed is 119.6, and he has just one pass breakup. Macdonald said Brown is still in competition with Jobe and has a “significant role” in the defense, which could deploy him situationally based on weekly matchups.
Although Seattle is a long shot mathematically to make the playoffs, Schneider and Macdonald view the roster as one that can contend. These moves were made with the belief that the Seahawks could turn things around on both sides of the ball, compete for a division title and make noise in the postseason. Macdonald said he and Schneider are “in lockstep” when it comes to these sorts of decisions.
“We’re in constant communication about all these things,” Macdonald said. “We’re partners in that way.”
As a first-time head coach, Macdonald has talked about adaptability in all areas, and these personnel moves reflect that mindset while maintaining the goal of competing for a championship.
“Sometimes you have to make really tough decisions,” Macdonald said. “That’s part of my responsibility, that’s part of John’s responsibility, doing what’s best for the club at all times. We owe that to our fans and to our football team and the rest of the locker room. We’re always going to take that mindset.”
(Photo of Tyrel Dodson, left, and Ernest Jones: Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images)
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