John Schneider, Seahawks Back to Business Fresh Off Super Bowl Title at NFL Combine
Capturing the ultimate prize in professional sports in Santa Clara, John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks made the most of their opportunity to bask in the limelight as Super Bowl champions earlier this month, including celebrating with nearly a million fans in downtown in a parade for the ages as they stood atop the NFL world.
But eventually, the confetti disappears and the suds stop flowing. After climbing back to the mountaintop for the second time in franchise history, it’s time for Schneider, coach Mike Macdonald, and the Seahawks to get back to work with sights on defending their title, and that process officially starts with the annual NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week.
From the outside, the combine draws the most attention for the measurements and athletic testing that takes place in Lucas Oil Stadium as more than 300 NFL hopefuls descend upon the Circle City, and the league milks that process with live televised workouts starting on Thursday. But for Schneider, Macdonald, and the rest of Seattle’s brass that flies in for the festivities, while they will be monitoring the testing process closely and value athleticism as much as anyone, it’s far from the most important business to tend to.
Top 12 Moments From Seahawks’ Super Bowl-Winning 2025 Season
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl LX champions! Yes, keep saying that to yourself. Anytime you are feeling down, sad, anxious, or just plain bored, look at that photo of Mike Macdonald and Sam Darnold staring into the reflection of the Lombardi Trophy and feel all your troubles melt away.
As is the nature of the NFL, it rolls on like a fierce locomotive, not caring whether or not you want to pause a moment to smell the roses (or the yellow Gatorade). Free agency is less than a month away. The NFL Combine is even sooner. The NFL Draft is just over two months away.
One last time, let’s look back, instead of forward. These are 12 top moments of the 2025 season, that happened before the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
‘Battle Tested’ Seahawks Suffocate Patriots, Cement Place as All-Time Great Defense in Super Bowl Win
Approaching kickoff for Super Bowl LX, there wasn’t cloud in the sky as temperatures hovered around the low 70s, presenting idealistic conditions for the ultimate event in sports.
But then, the Seattle Seahawks’ “Darkside” defense took the field, bringing with them a violent storm that the New England Patriots simply weren’t prepared for and couldn’t weather.
It started with a flash in the form of a Derick Hall sack on the opening series, forcing a punt, followed by thunder as Devon Witherspoon came in unabated to hit Drake Maye and coax an ugly throwaway downfield, again forcing a punt. Lightning struck on the next possession as the cornerback got home this time with teammate Nick Emmanwori also collapsing the pocket, corralling the quarterback after shooting the B-gap untouched for a 10-yard sack that led to a third consecutive punt.
Rapid Reaction: Seahawks ‘Darkside’ Defense Handcuffs Patriots in 29-13 Super Bowl LX Victory
Orchestrating one of the most dominant defensive performances in Super Bowl history, the Seattle Seahawks forced eight punts on their first nine defensive series, locking down the New England Patriots in historic fashion to secure a 29-13 victory and bring the second Lombardi Trophy to the Pacific Northwest.
Overcoming an uncharacteristically inaccurate performance from Sam Darnold, the Seahawks found more than enough offense behind AJ Barner’s 16-yard touchdown catch off a turnover, Ken Walker III’s 135 rushing yards, and five field goals from kicker Jason Myers. A suffocating defensive effort by coach Mike Macdonald’s squad bottled up and frazzled Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, with outside linebacker Derick Hall leading the charge sacking him twice and forcing a fumble that defensive tackle Byron Murphy II recovered in New England territory and Uchenna Nwosu returning an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to start the celebration.
Halftime Observations: Defenses Dominate as Seahawks Lead Patriots 9-0 in Super Bowl LX
With the Lombardi Trophy hanging in the balance, points will apparently be at a premium in Super Bowl LX as the Seattle Seahawks went into halftime nursing a slim 9-0 lead over the New England Patriots behind three Jason Myers field goals and a stingy, suffocating defensive effort.
What stood out from the first two quarters at Levis Stadium?
1. Ken Walker III runs like a Lamborghini on the Levis grass, but the Seahawks can’t get the car into the garage.
Playing in what could be his final game in a Seahawks uniform as free agency approaches next month, a motivated Walker revved up his engine and turned on the accelerators early and often, regularly leaving Patriots defenders in his wake after smooth, explosive cuts and filthy jump cut moves. On the first play from scrimmage, he bounced an inside zone run out wide to the perimeter, out-running multiple defenders towards the sideline before cutting upfield for a 10-yard gain to move the chains, helping start off a successful opening series that ended with Myers’ first field goal from 33 yards out.
Analysis: 7 Burning Questions to Determine if Seahawks Will Win or Lose Super Bowl LX
After nearly two weeks of relentless coverage and chatter that has left fans on both sides experiencing a bad case of cabin fever, the Seattle Seahawks will finally hit the field with a chance to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots as the two teams meet at Levis Stadium in Sunday’s big game.
With both teams boasting top-three scoring offenses and physical, well-coached defenses, Sunday has all of the ingredients for a back-and-forth brawl on the biggest stage in professional sports. To earn their second Lombardi, the Seahawks will have to hope for the right answers to seven burning questions.
‘Everything You Want in a Head Coach’: Seahawks Eager to Earn Mike Macdonald Historic Super Bowl Win
Winning 24 regular season games in his first two seasons at the helm for the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Macdonald has carved out one of the most successful runs to open a head coaching career in NFL history.
But when Seattle takes the field to face New England on Sunday for Super Bowl LX, unbeknownst to many of his own players, the 38-year-old Macdonald has a prime opportunity to carve out a unique piece of history all to himself as the first head coach in NFL history who calls defensive plays for his team to win the Lombardi Trophy in 60 tries.
Analysis: Patriots’ Offense Presents Myriad of Challenges for Seahawks in Super Bowl LX
Led by a rising superstar under center, the Patriots are far from a one-man show on offense, including possessing an exciting running back tandem. What concerns do they present for Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks’ defense rolling into Super Bowl LX?
Closing Thoughts: Sam Darnold’s Historic Performance Lifts Seahawks to Super Bowl LX
Leading the charge with a near-perfect effort under center, Sam Darnold willed the Seahawks to their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history by outdueling Matthew Stafford in front of a boisterous Lumen Field crowd.
Seahawks Secondary Recovers, Helps Send Seattle to the Super Bowl
The Seahawks secondary had some tough moments against the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s NFC Championship game. How did Seattle rebound and secure a trip to the Super Bowl?
WATCH: Veterans ‘Setting Standard’ Lifts Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks to Super Bowl LX
Young talent such as Devon Witherspoon has been at the center of the Seahawks’ rise to Super Bowl contender, but seasoned veterans who had been at the other end of the spectrum proved instrumental to punching a ticket to the big game.
Rapid Reaction: Sam Darnold, Seahawks Engineer Super Bowl Berth With 31-27 Win vs. Rams
Holding on in a tight battle that played out as advertised, the Seahawks leaned on Sam Darnold’s throwing arm and a well-rounded passing attack to edge the Rams and punch a ticket to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years.
Halftime Observations: Explosive Plays Lead Seahawks to 17-13 Lead in Thrilling NFC Title Game
Engaged in a back-and-forth affair with a Super Bowl spot on the line, the Seahawks and Rams traded scores in a thrilling first half with a gunslinging Sam Darnold putting the home team in front right before halftime. Who stood out in the first 30 minutes at Lumen Field?
Marquee Matchups to Watch as Seahawks, Rams Duel in NFC Championship Game
Familiar foes will tangle once again at Lumen Field as the Seahawks and Rams vie for a Super Bowl berth. Which matchups hold the weight in a massive NFC West rubber match?
What to Watch as Seahawks Battle Rams for Super Bowl Spot in NFC Championship Game
In two prior meetings, the Seahawks and Rams have been separated by one point and one yard. As two evenly-matched contenders vie for a Super Bowl spot, where must Seattle excel to advance to Santa Clara for a shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy?
Seahawks’ Path to Super Bowl Revolves Around Challenge of Slowing Potent Rams Offense
Uncharacteristically, the Seahawks got gashed by the Rams in Week 16, but the defense found its footing late to aid a 38-37 comeback victory. Set for a rematch with the Super Bowl on the line, what went wrong in that game and what lessons can Seattle use on Sunday?
Ranking Top 10 Moves Made by John Schneider to Fuel Seahawks Return to Title Contention
Through free agency, trades, the draft, and other bold moves, John Schneider rebuilt the Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender for the second time in his illustrious career, making him a slam dunk choice for Executive of the Year. Which moves stand out as his best?
AP All-Pro Voters Underestimate Power of Seahawks’ ‘Darkside’ Defense
Even after clinching the top seed in the NFC behind the No. 1 scoring defense, the Seahawks didn’t have a single defensive player earn a First-Team All-Pro nod, an omission that shows the team may still be hovering under the radar.
Seahawks Get Six Pro Bowlers, Tied for Most in NFL
The NFL announced its rosters for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, and among them are six Seattle Seahawks. What went into each selection from the team that currently sits atop the NFC?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Battle Rams in Critical TNF Rematch
With both teams missing a key starter on offense, the Seahawks and Rams will each have to make adjustments accordingly in what likely will be a defensive slugfest in inclement weather conditions. Which matchups will determine who holds the No. 1 seed by Friday?
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