Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald Fires Back Strongly at Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon’s “Overhyped Defense” Jab Ahead of Sunday Showdown: “Talk Is Cheap – Let the Field Do the Talking.”
Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald Fires Back Strongly at Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon’s “Overhyped Defense” Jab Ahead of Sunday Showdown: “Talk Is Cheap – Let the Field Do the Talking.”
Seattle, Washington – November 8, 2025
The NFC West rivalry just turned fiery. Ahead of Sunday’s clash between the Seattle Seahawks (6–2) and the Arizona Cardinals (3–5), a war of words has broken out between two of the NFC’s brightest young head coaches — Mike Macdonald and Jonathan Gannon.
It all began earlier this week when Gannon made headlines for saying Seattle’s defense “looks better on paper than on the field,” claiming their top ranking was “a bit overrated.” The remark didn’t sit well in Seattle — especially not with Macdonald, the defensive architect credited with building the NFL’s most dominant unit this season.
At Saturday’s press conference, Macdonald stayed composed, but his response was razor-sharp — the kind that ripples through locker rooms and headlines alike.
“Talk is cheap,” Macdonald said firmly. “In this league, respect isn’t earned at press conferences — it’s earned between the lines. If anyone thinks this defense is overrated, they’ll have 60 minutes on Sunday to find out. We’ll let the field do the talking.”
Whether Gannon meant it as mind games or casual banter, Macdonald’s response has turned the matchup into one of Week 10’s most anticipated showdowns. The Seahawks enter riding a three-game winning streak, boasting the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFC, allowing just 17.2 points per game. The Cardinals, meanwhile, remain unpredictable behind quarterback Kyler Murray, capable of striking big at any moment.
According to NFL Network, several Seahawks players took Gannon’s words personally. Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner reportedly wrote the phrase “Overrated? Prove it.” on the team’s locker room board before practice.
“We don’t need to talk,” Wagner said. “We show who we are through action — and the field will be our answer.”
With playoff implications already looming, Sunday’s battle at Lumen Field is shaping up to be more than a divisional contest — it’s a test of pride, philosophy, and grit. As Macdonald put it best, the Seahawks aren’t looking for arguments — they’re looking for domination.
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