While Macdonald didn't get a job out of that encounter with Quinn, he did experience an example of what a positive culture and good coach-player relationships can do for an organization, a lesson he took with him into future jobs.
"I tell you what, just walking through the door the first time, it just felt so much different than anything I was used to," Macdonald said earlier this year on the Richard Sherman Podcast. "We all know the culture that was here, the positivity, the energy, the connection that everybody had, and for DQ take the time to hang out with a dumb GA like me. I forget what he was talking about—whatever he drew on the sheet of paper, I would have thought was gold. But then we walk around, and he goes in the locker room and in there with him, and you were right there, maybe finished a workout or something, and you guys dapped each other up, you're laughing, he's shadow boxing you, and I'm like, 'Man, this guy is so cool and this place is so awesome.' So that's one of those core memories that you have is a coach of, 'Oh, this is what it could feel like, and this is probably one of the reasons why these guys are so good.'"
Since parting ways those two have only crossed paths on a few occasions when Quinn-coached teams have played Baltimore, but this will be their first meeting as head coaches. Quinn, who after helping the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowls, became the head coach, leading the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in his second season as a head coach, and last year led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game. Macdonald, meanwhile, is in his second season as a head coach after leading the Seahawks to a 10-7 record last year.
While it has been more than a decade since Quinn coached in Seattle, he still has connections to the current Seahawks thanks to his time in Atlanta and Dallas, where he was defensive coordinator. Current Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde worked with Quinn both in Dallas and Atlanta, while veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence played for Quinn's defense in Dallas.
"My guy DQ, he was my D-coordinator, he was a great coach for me," Lawrence said. "You're talking about somebody who brings that intensity each and every day. I feel like I learned that part of the day from him, so shout out to DQ."
While Lawrence has love for Quinn, he also wants to beat him on Sunday.
"He's with the Commanders now, and I'm with Mike Macdonald," Lawrence said. "DQ, that's my dog, man, but shoot, dogs fight each other all the time."
Like Lawrence, Durde is appreciative of everything Quinn did for him in his career, but this week his only goal is to beat his longtime friend and mentor.
"He means a lot," Durde said. "He gave me an opportunity. He's one of the reasons why I'm standing here today doing this job. He's a good friend, but he's on the other side of the field this week."