HBO’s “Hard Knocks” is following the Seattle Seahawks during training camp and preseason, and while the first episode has yet to air, there are already some clips doing the rounds.
One of them shows just a glimpse of what makes the defending Super Bowl champion’s head coach, Mike Macdonald, so good, and the NFL world is eating it up.
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One of the clips that has emerged from the Seahawks version of Hard Knocks shows coach Macdonald reflecting upon a time when former NFL head coach Rex Ryan called out his defense for being “terrible.”
The moment came during Macdonald’s first season as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022. The crazy thing is, Macdonald agreed with him, and he still uses Ryan’s words as motivation to this day.
“Mike Macdonald has receipts of Rex Ryan saying about him on ESPN, ‘This new hotshot coordinator is terrible‘ from Week 3 of 2022, following a home loss against MIA, his first year as Ravens DC. BRO IS ACTUALLY BUILT SO DIFFERENT,” one fan wrote as the clip did the rounds.
Mike Macdonald has recepits of Rex Ryan saying about him on ESPN, “this new hotshot coordinator is terrible” from Week 3 of 2022, following a home loss against MIA, his first year as Ravens DC.
BRO IS ACTUALLY BUILT SO DIFFERENT. https://t.co/ZqHwkOPBAA
— Maher 🇵🇸 (@pabloikonyero) August 4, 2026
One fan who saw Macdonald’s reaction said the Seahawks have a “Hall of Fame level coach.”
“Dude is genuinely a Hall of Fame level coach. Cannot believe the Ravens let him go.”
Dude is genuinely a Hall of Fame level coach
Cannot believe the Ravens let him go https://t.co/wbDqVavb0Y
— NC🏎️ (Wallpaper Man) (@44nc_) August 4, 2026
To be fair, the Ravens didn’t really “let him go.” Macdonald only left his job as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator to take a promotion as the Seahawks’ head coach. Firing Harbaugh to keep Macdonald would have generated an immense amount of criticism at the time.
Of course, they didn’t know Macdonald would win a Super Bowl just two years after leaving Baltimore either.
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Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Seahawks insider Shawn-Michael Dugar pointed out how well coach Macdonald finds a way to take the outside noise and turn it into motivational fuel.
“‘We did not care’ is really fitting as the most famous Mike Macdonaldism. He doesn’t care… for the most part. But it’s very obvious that what ‘they’ say has some influence. Which is ok. Because channeling the noise properly is part of the reason their thing works.”
“We did not care” is really fitting as the most famous Mike Macdonaldism. He doesn’t care … for the most part.
But it’s very obvious that what “they” say has some influence. Which is ok. Because channeling the noise properly is part of the reason their thing works. https://t.co/HZ659j59dB
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) August 4, 2026
Another fan called Macdonald “an amazing coach” and “one of the best in the game.”
Mike Macdonald is an amazing coach.
One of the best in the game. pic.twitter.com/TU1tJJNGFS
— Bando (@BandoKnowsBall) August 4, 2026
One commenter simply said, “Seattle is blessed.”
Seattle is blessed https://t.co/WWQIjgeMlN
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) August 4, 2026
Meanwhile, one user on X placed the pressure on first-year Ravens head coach Jesse Minter to “bring a championship back to Baltimore.”
“Jesse Minter, you better bring a championship back to Baltimore. This could potentially be the biggest fumble of all time.”
Jesse minter you better bring a championship back to Baltimore, this could potentially be the biggest fumble of all time. https://t.co/czmN22qiSD
— dranksipper (@gelatoboismoke) August 4, 2026
Another loved the motivational tactic used by Macdonald, saying he uses receipts too.
“Love it!!! I keep receipts too.”
Love it!!! I keep receipts too https://t.co/DfweYndOVZ
— Chris Egan King-5 TV (@ChrisEgan5) August 4, 2026
Ultimately, fans like what they’ve seen from the bits and pieces shared by HBO so far. Chances are they’ll love getting a chance to see the full show when the first episode airs later tonight.
