Seahawks Vets Show Up Early and Mike Macdonald Couldn't Be Happier About It
Monday at the VMAC was buzzing, and it had nothing to do with the draft kicking off Thursday. The real noise? A bunch of Seahawks veterans deciding to show up in person on day one of the offseason program, even though they didn't have to.
Coach Mike Macdonald had made it crystal clear: vets could stay home for the first two weeks, take meetings virtually, and rest up after a grueling Super Bowl championship run that tacked five extra weeks onto the season. But defensive tackle Jarran Reed, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, rush end Derick Hall, and left tackle Charles Cross all showed up anyway. And Macdonald was blown away by it.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThe Energy is Real
"I was blown away by some of the guys that showed up today and that we weren't asking to be here at this point in time," Macdonald said during the team's pre-draft press conference. "The energy is really great. There's still a sense of urgency and spirit to the guys, which is exciting."
Macdonald emphasized that right now it's mostly strength and conditioning work plus individual meetings. But the early buy-in from veterans matters. Last offseason, when the team had close to perfect attendance, Macdonald said that chemistry and camaraderie built during the program was pivotal to the Super Bowl run. He's not about to repeat that mistake by letting guys stay home if they want to show up.
"Guys like 'Spoon and J-Reed were here. Guys that just wanted to be around the guys again. I thought that was really cool," Macdonald said.
What's Next on the Calendar
The team is scheduled to begin Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on May 26, with six total sessions running through June 4. Minicamp wraps up the offseason program from June 9 through 11, after which the team gets the summer off before training camp starts in late July.
Witherspoon, by the way, is eligible for a contract extension this offseason and it's considered likely he'll land a new deal that could make him among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Seattle Seahawks.
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.