A lot has changed for the Seattle Seahawks after firing Pete Carroll and hiring Mike Macdonald as the new head coach. However, one issue that has persisted is the team’s penalty problem. Throughout the 2024 NFL season, the Seahawks have ranked among the league’s most penalized teams. Heading into Week 12, they sit fourth with 78 penalties, resulting in 591 total yards lost.
Despite this ongoing challenge, the Seahawks have made a clear effort to address the issue and seem to have made progress. In their recent upset win over the San Francisco 49ers, the team committed only four penalties and lost just 20 yards.
Star wide receiver DK Metcalf commented on the improvement when asked by reporters at the VMAC on Tuesday, per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.
DK Metcalf on the Seahawks’ Penalty Improvements:
“I think it’s just the emphasis we’ve put on it these past couple of weeks. We’ve been one of the top penalized teams in the league, so Coach Grubb, Coach Mike, and AD (defensive coordinator Aden Durde) have really focused on eliminating penalties in practice, which should translate to the game.”
Metcalf himself has also made strides in this area. Known for his fiery demeanor and history of getting baited into personal fouls, Metcalf has been much more disciplined in 2024. After facing frequent fines in the past, he didn’t receive his first penalty of the season until Week 5. Though he missed two games due to an MCL sprain, Metcalf has still posted solid stats, with 42 receptions for 638 yards and three touchdowns on 70 targets.
With the team’s focus on reducing penalties, the Seahawks are beginning to see the positive effects both on and off the field.
