Full Breakdown
Seahawks Adopt “Run It Forward” Mantra to Build on Super Bowl Success
5/27/2026, 8:35:27 PM
Embracing a New Direction: “Run It Forward” for 2026
Following the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory, head coach Mike Macdonald introduced the phrase “run it forward” to describe the team’s approach for the 2026 season. Rather than focusing on “running it back,” Macdonald says the organization will use the championship as a foundation for continued evolution and daily improvement.
From Super Bowl LX to the Present: Context and Tradition
Historically, defending champions emphasize “running it back,” yet only two franchises have repeated as champions this century. The Seahawks’ leadership deliberately avoided that rhetoric, opting instead for a process-oriented narrative that stresses growth over simply defending the title.
Principal Voices Behind the Philosophy
Coach Mike Macdonald is the chief architect of the mantra. Players present at the first organized team activity included linebackers DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, Dante Fowler Jr., running back Emanuel Wilson, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who is awaiting a new contract. The team also lost Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III and safety Coby Bryant to free agency, while retaining all six Pro Bowl selections except linebacker Ernest Jones, a second-team All-Pro.
Numbers That Define the Recent Campaign
Seattle finished the 2025 season 17-3, ranking third in scoring and allowing the fewest points per game league-wide. The three losses totaled nine points, and the Seahawks closed the year on a ten-game winning streak. Six Pro Bowl players return, providing a statistical core for the upcoming campaign.
Team Leadership’s Public Messaging
Macdonald repeatedly emphasized that the “run it forward” concept centers on the team’s process and identity, not a single conversation. He reported no signs of complacency among players and highlighted daily dialogues about standards, evolution, and “chasing edges.” While the Super Bowl banner now hangs in the indoor facility, Macdonald noted the championship is not a primary focus, reserving discussion for the upcoming ring ceremony.
Skepticism and External Observations
Some observers question whether the phrasing is merely rhetorical. A ClutchPoints commentary asked if Macdonald is “being a little too cute” about the win, suggesting the mantra could mask underlying challenges such as roster turnover and contract negotiations.
Reporting Gaps and Unresolved Details
Sources confirm the departure of Walker III and Bryant but provide limited information on other offseason moves, contract statuses, or the exact composition of the practice squad. No conflicting figures appear regarding season statistics or returning Pro Bowl players.
Upcoming Milestones
The Seahawks will hold Phase 3 of their voluntary offseason program, with remote participation for veterans during the first two weeks. A ring ceremony is scheduled for June, and the team will begin full-speed practices ahead of the 2026 preseason.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're using the term, we want to run it forward—'it' meaning our process and who we are,” — Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks head coach
- “sensed an ounce of complacency” — Mike Macdonald
- “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 edges, is a spirit of evolution and a spirit of moving forward all the time,” — Mike Macdonald
- “We don't avoid it, but it's not really the top of mind,” — Mike Macdonald, regarding the Super Bowl victory
