Here’s everything you need to know about Mike McDonald’s contract with the Seahawks.
Mike MacDonald’s contract details: How much money does the Seattle coach make with the Seahawks
In a move that surprised many around the league, the Seattle Seahawks turned the page on a beloved era and chose Mike Macdonald as their new head coach.
At just 36 years old, Macdonald became the youngest head coach in the NFL when he agreed to a long-term deal with Seattle in 2024 after leaving his post as defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens.
After nearly a decade and a half under Pete Carroll, who brought the city a Super Bowl, it was the inconsistency in performances that saw a decision taken. Carroll stepped aside, remaining in an advisory role, and Seattle’s hierarchy opted for a fresh voice rather than a continuation of the past. Beyond the statistics, there’s a sense that Macdonald brings a refreshing energy and modern approach.
The reason behind MaDonald’s appointment starts with his defensive reputation. In his two seasons running the Ravens’ defence, he oversaw a team that dominated the league, leading in points allowed, sacks and takeaways in 2023.
“What an honor,” Macdonald said at the time of his hiring. “We are super excited to be here. Just getting to know [GM] John [Schneider] and the rest of the folks, the reputation of this place, what drew us here was the people. That’s why we’re here, to bring a championship back to Seattle and the 12s. We’re going to have a lot of fun, we’re going to work our tails off, and it’s going to be an incredible ride. We’re going to be here for a long time, and we’re going to win a lot of football games.”
Under his new deal, Macdonald is understood to earn around $9 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid first-time head coaches in NFL history and significantly above the typical wages for new coaches.
And it looks to have paid off. He won ten games in his first year with a roster mostly carried over from Pete Carroll and led them to fourteen victories a year later, the top seed in football’s most competitive division, and the league’s best defence.
Mike MacDonald is like a mad scientist aka "Dexter Laboratory" when it comes to using his personnel in different packages. He puts so much pressure on opposing offenses. He's also created a relentless culture, this Seahawks defense really falls to the football and its one of the… pic.twitter.com/UJclfN4Kuu
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) January 15, 2026
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The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff. This game is set to start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. The winner will move on to the Super Bowl hopes, which will take place on Feb. 8.
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