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Seahawks Press
Seahawks Press — 2026-08-16 Top Takeaway Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that star cornerback Devon “Spoon” Witherspoon is locked in for the long haul with a …
Top Takeaway
Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that star cornerback Devon “Spoon” Witherspoon is locked in for the long haul with a hard-earned, foundational contract extension. Meanwhile, backup quarterback Jalen Milroe joyfully confirmed that former Alabama teammate Terion Arnold is officially joining the team as Seattle’s newest defensive weapon.
Press Conferences & Interviews
Mike Macdonald / Head Coach · Seahawks Press Pass A candid Mike Macdonald didn’t sugarcoat his disappointment following a sloppy preseason loss, thanking the loud 12s but calling out the team’s unacceptable operational and communication execution. The headline news was Macdonald confirming a major contract extension for cornerback Devon Witherspoon, praising “Spoon” as a foundational leader who “practiced like a maniac” during OTAs without a finalized deal. In terms of scheme, Macdonald revealed that defensive coordinator Aden Durde called plays tonight but noted that Macdonald expects to call them himself next week. With the linebacker unit currently banged up, Macdonald singled out rookie Tyrice Knight as the best defensive player on the field.
Jalen Milroe / Quarterback · Seahawks Press Pass An energetic Jalen Milroe expressed excitement about playing in front of the home crowd and extending plays with his legs, though he emphasized he is “never pleased” given how much room there is to grow. Milroe lit up when confirming that former college teammate Terion Arnold is officially a Seahawk, describing Arnold as a committed, team-first corner who fits Seattle’s culture. He also dismissed any concerns about a disjointed backup quarterback rotation, calling the sudden in-game switches excellent training for real Sunday game scenarios. Finally, Milroe praised wideout Montorie Foster Jr.’s growth mindset and elite versatility in playing multiple receiver positions.
Drew Lock / Quarterback · Seahawks Press Pass Quarterback Drew Lock brought a highly professional, analytical mindset, highlighting a strong opening drive but calling red-zone execution the absolute key takeaway to fix. Lock detailed his growing chemistry with Montorie Foster Jr., explaining that their red-zone touchdown required immense trust on a blind, tight-window throw where Foster had to plant and expect the ball. Despite operational kinks, Lock praised the new offensive coordinator’s wristband communication system as seamless under live-bullet conditions. Like Milroe, Lock appreciated the unique backup rotation, noting it forces backups to mentally stay in the game just like a regular-season Sunday.
Tyrice Knight / Linebacker · Seahawks Press Pass Rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight was humble yet confident, relishing his return to full health and the electric energy of the Lumen Field crowd. Thrust into running the defense with the “green dot,” Knight relished the command, admitting that having the entire huddle look to him for calls gave him a great feeling. He observed that defensive coordinator Aden Durde has a different voice and play-calling style than Macdonald, forcing him to process calls and reset the huddle rapidly. Knight also highlighted his training camp reps off the edge, citing his coverage and pass-rushing versatility as his ultimate ticket to getting on the field on Sundays.
Montorie Foster Jr. / Wide Receiver · Seahawks Press Pass An incredibly grateful Montorie Foster Jr. shared his remarkable journey from substitute teaching high school Latin and selling real estate back home to scoring a preseason touchdown. Foster walked through his touchdown, thanking Drew Lock for placing the ball perfectly in a tight window. He displayed elite player accountability by openly critiquing himself for peeking too early on a missed deep sideline shot. Emphasizing that he plays to a strict personal standard, Foster expressed eagerness to make an impact on special teams to cement his roster spot.
Injury & Roster Updates
- Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that the defense is currently “banged up” at the inside linebacker position, which forced rookie Tyrice Knight into an extended workload.
- The roster received a massive foundation block with Macdonald confirming a long-term contract extension for star cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
- Quarterback Jalen Milroe officially confirmed that standout cornerback Terion Arnold is joining the team as a Seahawk.
Reading Between the Lines
- Coaching signal on play-calling: Mike Macdonald letting DC Aden Durde call the defense was a great experience for “AD,” but Macdonald reclaiming the calling headset for Game 2 indicates he wants to establish his personal calling rhythm soon.
- Foster’s soaring stock: Montorie Foster Jr. is rapidly transitioning from practice-squad survivor to a genuine roster lock, as evidenced by Drew Lock’s trust in him and Jalen Milroe praising his versatility to play the X, Z, and F positions.
- Simulating the “Next Man Up” reality: The tag-team quarterback rotation and Tyrice Knight’s extended green-dot reps reveal a coaching staff intentionally pressure-testing their depth pieces under simulated emergency conditions.
🎧 Since we’ve got all the transcript details of this preseason opener, I can craft an audio briefing if you’d like a podcast-style recap of these coach and player pressers to listen to on your commute.