3 free agents Seattle Seahawks should target who have ties to Mike Macdonald

Seattle Seahawks rookie head coach is not happy with how the 2024 season ended. The intense, militant rookie head coach earned a franchise record of 10 wins as a first-year head coach and lamented that this team is the foundation for a special team in the future, but Mike Macdonald presents as someone who will never be content with mediocrity.

This is a stark contrast from his predecessor, and we may see some unprecedented splash free agency signings under Mike Macdonald.

Macdonald, who served as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens and as a defensive coach for the University of Michigan and the University of Georgia, has quite the connection tree. And he doesn't have much patience for those he has no obligation to.

3 Seahawks free agent targets in 2025 with ties to Mike Macdonald

Consider Ryan Grubb who struggled in his rookie season at the helm of the offense. Macdonald had no connection to the former Washington Huskies' offensive coordinator and thanks to a fundamental lack of a shared vision, Grubb was canned after only one season.

The same rings true for players, such as linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, who were John Schneider's signings. Macdonald didn't want the two backers, so by midseason, both had been shipped off in favor of two linebackers Mike Macdonald wanted. And the guys Macdonald hand-picked both thrived.

The bottom line is that Mike Macdonald has a type and is unafraid to make that known. It would be shocking if Macdonald did not bring in some guys this offseason who he has worked with before, so here are three free agent targets with ties to Macdonald who Seattle may have their eyes on.

LB Malik Harrison

We all know Mike Macdonald loves his linebackers. Overshadowed by All-Pro middle linebacker Roquan Smith and former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison has been an unsung bright spot on Baltimore's defense for the past few years.

The only real, recognizable name who played off-ball linebacker for the Seahawks currently under contract is Tyrice Knight. And even if Seattle does end up re-signing linebacker Ernest Jones IV, the team will still be pretty thin at the position.

Malik Harrison is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and Mike Macdonald may be chomping at the bit to bring him over to Seattle. At 26 years old, Harrison finished his 2024 season with 54 tackles, two sacks, and 5.5 stuffs, tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Harrison flashed moments of stardom this season, especially on Monday Night Football in late November, as the linebacker was all over the field in Los Angeles, recording 13 tackles and two stuffs.

Linebackers are essential in Macdonald's defense, as was evident by the complete turnaround of the defense once he got his preferred linebackers playing. Seattle would do really well to beef up that position by not only re-signing Jones IV but by adding on proven talent in Macdonald's system.

He'd be a low-risk signing, as his numbers over the years would not command a huge contract, but his impact could be priceless as a productive young linebacker who is already proficient in the defensive system.

OLB Matthew Judon

An elite pass rusher in Mike Macdonald's defense from 2016-2020, Matthew Judon is set to become an unrestricted free agent after being traded from New England to Atlanta this season without signing a new contract. Although Judon is on the wrong side of 30, what he can bring to a young defense is invaluable. With Uchenna Nwosu possibly on the chopping block after an injury-riddled 2024, a veteran like Judon could pay dividends to Seattle's defense in 2025.

Judon, 33, tallied up 5.5 sacks in 2024. While that seems underwhelming for a blue-chip edge rusher, the attention that he commanded opened up rushing lanes for other pass rushers on the defensive line. The same could be true in Seattle, as offensive lines would have to account for Judon, leaving other rushers, like Byron Murphy and other interior rushers a better chance to get home.

With key veterans on the defense like Nwosu, Jarran Reed, and Johnathan Hankins set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Judon could be a safe veteran signing for a young Seahawks defensive line. While Boye Mafe and Derick Hall are emerging as young stars on the defensive line, you can never go wrong with a veteran presence. Especially one who has ties with the head coach.

CB Marlon Humphrey

Coming into the 2024 season, we all thought we had an excess of good cornerbacks. As the season progressed, we learned that was not the case. Tre Brown took a massive step back in his play, while Artie Burns showed he was nothing more than a backup who shouldn't see much playing time. Cornerback Josh Jobe was a nice surprise when he was thrust into the starting lineup, but he is also a free agent this offseason.

This one is more of a hypothetical than anything. Humphrey, slated to account for over $25 million on the Ravens' cap in 2025, could be available this offseason. With Baltimore in cap hell, combined with Humphrey's slight regression in 2024, it is rumored Humphrey may be a cap casualty for the Ravens this offseason. The 28-year-old is a multiple-time Pro Bowler and is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but took a step back in production in 2024 after Macdonald left for Seattle.

Mike Macdonald coached Humphrey from 2017 until just this season, and it would be safe to assume they have a close relationship. If Baltimore were to make Humphrey a cap casualty, he would be free to sign with any team, including Seattle.

Humphrey would be a perfect fit opposite Riq Woolen as a boundary corner, with Devon Witherspoon remaining at his nickel position. This also provides more depth for a position that got dangerously thin in 2024. While he may not be cheap, Humphrey would elevate the Seahawks' secondary in Macdonald's system if Baltimore does release him.