While practices this week were mandatory, the rest of the offseason program, which began in April, was voluntary, and part of Macdonald's optimism is the buy in shown by players, all of whom took part in at least some, if not all, of the offseason program. Throughout the league, the vast majority of players show up for offseason workouts, but more often than not, at least a few veterans stay home, sometimes due to a contract dispute, or other times simply because as proven veterans, they choose to enjoy a little extra time at home. But this offseason, the Seahawks had zero no-shows.
"We're a young team, and these guys have like a gravity about them. They just really have a great spirit about them," Macdonald said. "We're young, but I feel like we're mature. Then we do have a great couple of vets that, they don't have to be here and they could say, 'Hey, look, I'm a vet, I got my money, I know what's expected of me. I can show up and everything is great.' You can do that, and there are guys that do that, it is what it is, but our guys really decided to be invested in these young guys, and they care about where this team goes. Man, that fires you up."
Williams agreed that it mattered having all the veterans in attendance, saying, "I think it is a big deal. Obviously, this part is mandatory, but throughout all of OTAs, the vets have been doing a good job of showing up. There's been times where they've missed a few days, but just the overall vibe of the team, it just feels like everyone is locked in and wants to be here."
Another way that connection has grown, Williams explained, is through players sharing in meetings their motivation for playing the game.
"Something that's been helping us grow that connection throughout OTAs is in the defensive room, coaches have been having some of the guys go up to the front of the room and talk about their why—why they like playing football, why they like showing up every day," he said. "They put up pictures of their family, pictures of them when they're young and just talk about what's their driving force."