Mike Macdonald, determined to reshape the Seattle Seahawks, made pivotal moves that led to their 2026 Super Bowl victory. After a promising yet playoff-missing 2025 season with a 10-7 record, Macdonald took bold steps to revamp the team, including significant trades that reinforced their defense.

The key trades included:

• October 30, 2023: Seahawks received DL Leonard Williams from the Giants in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. With the Giants struggling at 2-6, they opted to sell, allowing the Seahawks to acquire a veteran pass rusher at a crucial time. Williams, who signed a three-year, $64.5 million deal after the season, became a cornerstone of Seattle's defense.

• October 23, 2024: Seahawks acquired LB Ernest Jones from the Titans for LB Jerome Baker and a 2025 fourth-round pick. Jones, previously a standout with the Rams, found a new home in Seattle after the Titans' dismal 3-14 season. His arrival transformed the Seahawks' defense, making significant improvements in key metrics.

Both players emerged as All-Pro performers, with Williams recording 11 sacks and Jones contributing 94 tackles in just ten games during the 2024 season. Their impact was evident as the Seahawks' defense improved dramatically post-trade:

• EPA per play: From 16th to 4th
• Yards per rush: From 28th to 13th
• Net yards per attempt: From 15th to 7th

In the following years, both players continued to excel, with Williams earning second-team All-Pro honors and Jones leading linebackers in interceptions. The strategic trades not only bolstered the Seahawks' defensive unit but also set the stage for their Super Bowl success, highlighting Macdonald's vision and the effective execution of his plans.