How Seahawks defense under Mike Macdonald compares to Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Legion of Boom

Jake Mozarsky

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How Seahawks defense under Mike Macdonald compares to Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Legion of Boom image

Brynn Anderson/AP

The Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” is one of the most iconic defenses in NFL history, but as of January 2026, a new-age fortress is emerging in the Pacific Northwest that is beginning to eclipse even those legendary standards.

Under head coach and defensive architect Mike Macdonald, the 2025 Seahawks finished the regular season with the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per game — the first time the franchise has led the league in that category since the peak Legion of Boom era. While the original Legion was defined by its Hall of Fame secondary and a physical Cover 3 shell, Macdonald’s unit has achieved similar dominance through a vastly different philosophy.

Here’s more on Macdonald’s defense that has Seattle fans thinking of the Legion of Boom.

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What is the Legion of Boom?

The Legion of Boom (LOB) was the nickname for the Seattle Seahawks' legendary secondary during the early to mid-2010s. While the name originally described the defensive backfield, it eventually came to define an entire era of Seattle football characterized by physical dominance, trash-talking bravado, and historic statistical excellence.

The members of the Legion of Boom are among the best in Seahawks history, leading the franchise to its only Super Bowl.

Richard Sherman, cornerback

Sherman was the most vocal member and a cerebral "shutdown" corner. At 6'3", he was unusually tall for the position, allowing him to jam smaller receivers at the line. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2013 and famously made "The Tip" to win the NFC Championship that year.

After that game, Sherman delivered one of the most iconic interviews in recent memory.

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Kam Chancellor, safety

No. 31 on Seattle was the "boom." Standing 6'3" and 232 lbs, Chancellor hit like a linebacker but moved like a safety. He was the intimidation factor of the group; his massive hits often set the tone for the entire game.

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Earl Thomas, safety

Thomas was essentially the "centerfielder" of the defense. He had world-class speed and instincts that allowed him to cover the entire deep part of the field by himself. This let the other defenders play closer to the line of scrimmage, essentially giving Seattle a "hidden" extra player in the run game.

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Brandon Browner, cornerback

Browner, the team's second cornerback, might have been the most physical. At 6'4", he was a former CFL star who excelled at "man-handling" receivers. After the 2013 season, he left for New England but remained an honorary founding member of the Legion of Boom.

He was replaced by Byron Maxwell, who also had a critical role on the elite defense.

Outside of the four secondary members, Seattle had elite players all across the defense. This includes Bobby Wagner, a future Hall of Famer, and the cerebral heart of the defense. He was unique because he was equally elite at stopping the run and dropping back into pass coverage.

Also on the team was K.J. Wright, Malcom Smith, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril.

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Seahawks 2025 stats vs. Legion of Boom

In 2026, the comparisons between Mike Macdonald’s defensive unit and the legendary 2013 Seahawks have reached a fever pitch. While the Legion of Boom remains the gold standard for intimidation and consistency, the 2025 unit (nicknamed "The Dark Side") has produced a statistical profile that is, in several categories, actually superior to the Super Bowl XLVIII champions.

Metric2013 Legion of Boom2025 "The Dark Side"
Regular Season Record13-314-3
Points Allowed Per Game14.4 (1st)17.2 (1st)
Yards Allowed Per Game273.6 (1st)267.0 (1st)
Rushing Yards Per Game101.6 (7th)75.7 (1st)
Passing Yards Per Game172.0 (1st)191.3 (8th)
Total Takeaways39 (1st)25 (6th)
Total Sacks44 (8th)47 (12th)
Yards Allowed Per Play4.4 (1st)4.5 (1st)
3rd Down Conversion %37.3 (12th)32.9 (1st)

While the Legion of Boom can never be replaced, there are stars on the 2025 Dark Side that might be comparable statistically.

Position2013 Legion of Boom2025 Dark SideKey Comparison
CornerbackRichard ShermanDevon WitherspoonSherman was a "boundary" eraser; Witherspoon is a "slot" disruptor with more sacks and tackles for loss.
Middle LBBobby WagnerErnest Jones IVJones has matched Wagner's 2013 tackle efficiency, leading the 2025 team with 126 total tackles.
Strong SafetyKam ChancellorNick EmmanworiBoth 6'3" enforcers; Emmanwori has recorded 4 interceptions as a rookie in 2025.
Defensive LineMichael BennettByron Murphy IIBennett moved inside on passing downs; Murphy is a true interior force, tied for the team lead with 7 sacks.
Interior ForceRed BryantLeonard WilliamsWilliams offers more "pass rush" than Bryant did, finishing 2025 as a 2nd-team All-Pro while tallying seven sacks.

The comparisons reached a high after Seattle's 41-6 demolition over the 49ers in the divisional round.

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How good was the Legion of Boom?

The Legion of Boom was not only good, it was historic.

They are the only team in the Super Bowl era to lead the NFL in scoring defense for four consecutive seasons (2012–2015). Their crowning achievement was a 43-8 demolition of the 2013 Denver Broncos, who had set the NFL record for the highest-scoring offense in history. The Legion of Boom held them to a single touchdown.

The secondary also had an impact on the way the game is played. They forced the NFL to change how it officiated "defensive holding" and "illegal contact" because their physical style of play was so disruptive to the league's star wide receivers.

Statistically and culturally, they are widely considered one of the top three defenses of all time, alongside the 1985 Bears and the 2000 Ravens.

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Senior Editor