Mike Macdonald is ditching the "run it back" cliché, challenging a veteran roster to evolve their championship process rather than simply defending their Super Bowl throne.
There have been changes. The Seattle Seahawks won't be exactly the same as they were a year ago; that's not the way the NFL works.
But ...
With 20 of 22 starters from a dominant Super Bowl win returning for 2026, there is a winning foundation, physically and mentally.
Right?
Sure, so much so that it might be handy to chant a mantra of "running it back.''
Instead, the Seahawks are "running'' in a different direction. And the mindset shift will be a fascinating one to watch.
"We're using the term, we want to 'Run It Forward, 'it' meaning our process and who we are," coach Mike Macdonald said this week at OTAs. "I think this is going to be a conversation that we're going to talk about consistently.''
This is all about a mentality. The Seahawks' strong roster remains largely in place.
But another button needs to be pushed.
So ...
They "Run It Forward.''
It's not unusual for a coach to preach the idea that "We're 0-0'' once a new season starts. At the same time, most of them fudge that, while also mentioning words like "continuity.''
So around here, which is it?
"I've thought a lot about that,'' Macdonald said. "I think when you look at some of these high-performing teams that have been able to do it over a long period of time, I think the common thread that you find is a standard that you feel responsible to uphold on a daily basis, and part of that standard here is chasing ... a spirit of evolution and a spirit of moving forward all the time.
"That's where our minds are. But giving us the freedom to move forward and have the space to kind of make each kind of new phase of the year our own and unique to us. There's a balance there.''
There are realities here. Everywhere these Seahawks turn in 2026, the subject of Super Bowl LX will come up. There are banners to commemorate the accomplishment. There is a Lombardi Trophy on display at team headquarters. There are rings to be presented and worn and cherished.
"We don't avoid it," Macdonald said. "But it's not really the top of mind. There's necessary times to talk about it, like the ring ceremony. We'll be partying that night and having a great time and celebrating that team and those people.''
And then ... they'll try to celebrate what Macdonald sort of termed - in a way - a "twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity.''
Said the coach: "The way I phrase it to the team is, 'It's something that could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ... hopefully it's more than once in a lifetime for our team.''
