The Seattle Seahawks are entering their second season under head coach Mike Macdonald, and if defensive tackle Byron Murphy II has his way, there will be no coasting on last year's progress. Speaking at organized team activities (OTAs) in late May 2026, Murphy delivered a message that should resonate in the Pacific Northwest: the 2026 Seahawks must approach this season as if they are building from the ground up.
"We have to start from scratch this season," Murphy said, emphasizing the need to reset and rebuild fundamentals with a fresh mindset. For a young defensive tackle who was Seattle's first-round pick in 2024, this statement reflects both humility and ambition. It also signals that Mike Macdonald's culture is taking root--a culture that refuses to assume past success guarantees future results.
It's the kind of mentality that has defined great NFL defenses throughout history. From the 1985 Bears to the 2000 Ravens to Seattle's own Legion of Boom, the teams that dominated did not rest on reputation. They rebuilt their identity every offseason, demanding that even returning starters prove themselves anew. At just 23 years old, Murphy is sounding like a player who understands the importance of continual reinvention.
What 'Starting From Scratch' Actually Means
Murphy's words are more than motivational rhetoric; they reflect a real challenge facing the Seahawks as they work to fully implement Macdonald's defensive vision. In Macdonald's first year as head coach in 2025, Seattle finished 10-7 and secured a playoff berth, powered by a defense that ranked roughly middle-of-the-pack: 16th in points allowed and 14th in yards allowed. A respectable baseline, yet one that left room for growth.
Entering 2026, there are no excuses. With a full offseason now to install his scheme, Macdonald and GM John Schneider have retooled the defensive roster in his image. Veterans like DeMarcus Lawrence and Dante Fowler Jr. were brought in to invigorate the edge rush, while interior stalwarts Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed remain anchors. Murphy returns as a critical interior force.
But "starting from scratch" means the names on the roster, no matter how impressive on paper, carry no guarantees until they demonstrate their worth on the field. Murphy's statement suggests the locker room grasps that continuity alone doesn't ensure progress. Every alignment, gap assignment, and communication check must be re-earned.
This mindset echoes historic NFL precedents. When Bill Belichick became the New England Patriots head coach in 2000, he demanded his team relearn fundamentals from the ground up. Although the Patriots went 5-11 his first year, within two seasons, they ascended to Super Bowl champions. Similarly, when Pete Carroll took over Seattle in 2010, he overhauled the roster, building a culture that ultimately delivered a Super Bowl title and multiple deep playoff runs.
Macdonald, who learned under Belichick's tutelage during his coordinator years in Baltimore, seems intent on following a similar blueprint. Starting fresh is not a sign of weakness but a recognition that sustained success requires continuous renewal.
The State of the Seahawks Defensive Line
Murphy's role in Seattle's defensive transformation is pivotal. As a rookie in 2024, he appeared in 15 games, tallying 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits--enough to earn him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team. He showed clear promise.
In his second season in 2025, Murphy improved his impact with 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, further establishing himself as one of the league's most disruptive young interior defenders.
Now entering his third year, Murphy is asked to anchor a defensive line blending veteran experience with youth. Leonard Williams, a three-time Pro Bowler, returned for his second full season in Seattle after signing an extension in 2024. Williams functions as the steadying veteran, adept at commanding double teams and creating opportunities for teammates. Jarran Reed, in his third stint with Seattle, offers additional veteran savvy.
Adding intrigue are youthful and developmental players. Seventh-round rookie Deven Eastern from the 2026 draft brings raw power and determination. Camp bodies like Brandon Pili and J.R. Singleton are fighting for a role, with Macdonald's staff known for unlocking potential in overlooked players (recall Justin Madubuike's rise in Baltimore).
On the edges, Seattle's pass rush figures to be a mixture of experience and upside. DeMarcus Lawrence, now 34, has passed his prime but still brings valuable setting-the-edge ability and pressure generation. Dante Fowler Jr., once a former top-10 overall pick, is rebuilding his career as a key rotational rusher. 2023 third-rounder Mike Morris has battled injuries but flashed potential, while undrafted free agent Aidan Hubbard represents another developmental project aimed at extended depth.
If Murphy's "start from scratch" philosophy takes hold, this defensive line could surpass the sum of its parts and emerge as a dominant unit.
Historical Comparisons: Could This Be Seattle's Next Great Defense?
While it may seem early to draw comparisons, the trajectory of Macdonald's defenses in Baltimore offers optimism. As the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, his units ranked third and sixth in points allowed, respectively. His scheme features multiple fronts, disguised pressures, and frequent coverage rotations designed to confuse offenses and isolate pass rushers favorably.
In Seattle, he has the personnel to execute this complex scheme. Cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Nehemiah Pritchett are lockdown defenders on the perimeter, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori adds range and athleticism, while the linebacker group, led by Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight, combines speed and physicality.
Still, history cautions patience. Seattle's 2013 defense was one of the best ever, allowing only 14.4 points per game, but the following season saw a regression to 18.6, a drop partly attributed to complacency, injuries, and natural variance. Murphy's insistence on starting anew may be the antidote to such pitfalls.
Another instructive example: the 1994 Dallas Cowboys, who after winning two Super Bowls in three years, faltered the following season by relying on past laurels. Yet they recommitted to fundamentals under new coordinator Dave Campo and reclaimed championship glory shortly thereafter. The Seahawks would do well to heed that lesson.
The betting markets recognize Seattle's potential. DraftKings lists the Seahawks at +1000 odds to win Super Bowl LXI, tied for seventh-best in the league. That positioning suggests respect but also underscores the need for defensive improvement to reach title contention.
The Offensive Side: Why Defense Still Matters
Of course, the Seahawks cannot rely on defense alone. Offensively, quarterback Sam Darnold returns after a 2025 season where he threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns. Playmakers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba (119 receptions, 1,793 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2025) and Cooper Kupp remain weapons. The backfield featuring Zach Charbonnet and rookie running back Jadarian Price provides balance and durability.
Still, Seattle's ceiling will realistically be defined by defense. The NFC brims with explosive offenses--San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles all have dynamic quarterbacks and skill talent. To compete with those juggernauts, the Seahawks require a defense that consistently pressures the quarterback without excessive blitzing, covers effectively for extended periods, and forces timely turnovers.
Byron Murphy stands as the central figure of this vision. If his "start from scratch" mentality permeates the locker room, Seattle could emerge as a dangerous playoff contender. Failure to embrace that hunger could leave the Seahawks in the realm of 2025's team: good but not great.
As the 2026 offseason workout phase unfolds in June, Seattle lays the foundation for what could be a transformative year. NFL history teaches that true dynasties are built by teams willing to forget yesterday's wins and relentlessly pursue tomorrow's success.
Walt Ainsley is an NFL writer for Pro Football News Network covering the Seattle Seahawks. Follow him for roster analysis, scheme breakdowns, and historical context that makes football great.