Mike Macdonald
Getty
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald wants to see more from the team's offense.
It was not the cleanest debut to the NFL season for the Seattle Seahawks, but the team was driving with a chance to secure a win against the San Francisco 49ers. An unfortunate fumble by Sam Darnold sealed the Seahawks’ fate as the team’s rivals head back to the Bay Area with a major Week 1 win.
Even if Seattle won the game, the Seahawks offense struggled mightily as both Darnold and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak made their debut in the Pacific Northwest. After the loss, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald issued a clear message to the entire offense, outside of star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Here’s what you need to know about the Seahawks’ reaction to the team’s disappointing loss to the 49ers in Week 1.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Had 124 Yards of Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s 150 Passing Yards in Loss vs. 49ers
Like most Seahawks fans, Macdonald did not appear to be thrilled with the team’s offensive outing against San Francisco. The one exception was Smith-Njigba who Macdonald name dropped in his challenge to the team.
“Mike Macdonald summing up the disappointing day for the Seahawks’ offense, which got 124 receiving yards on nine catches by Jaxon Smith-Njigba but only 230 yards total: ‘We’ll see who else steps up so it’s not just the Jax show every snap,'” ESPN’s Brady Henderson detailed in a September 7, 2025, message on X.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Failed to Throw a TD vs. 49ers in Seattle Debut
It was quite a season debut for Smith-Njigba who snagged nine receptions for 124 yards, all but 26 yards of Darnold’s 150 passing yards against the Niners. Darnold competed 16-of-23 passes for 150 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Seahawks quarterback sees a lot of room for improvement, starting with his own play.
“Like I said, I think, obviously it wasn’t the result we wanted,” Darnold told reporters on September 7. “I don’t know what the stats exactly look like, but I don’t think they’re great.
“… I thought we ran the ball well early in the game and then we ran the ball well at the end. I think for me personally, I think I just need to take advantage of some of their looks on third down. Get our guys and just be better overall and more efficient on first and second down.”