A source with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Friday that Aden Durde is anticipated to join the Seattle Seahawks as defensive coordinator under new coach Mike Macdonald.
Since the team has not yet made the hire public, the individual talked to the AP under the condition of anonymity. The first to report on Seattle’s plans was NFL Network.
Although Durde has been the Dallas Cowboys‘ defensive line coach since 2011, moving to Seattle will prevent him from having the opportunity to call plays. Having established himself as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, Macdonald stated that he will at least initially continue directing plays for the defense in Seattle.
During Durde’s tenure with the Cowboys, he collaborated extensively with Dan Quinn, the current coach of Washington. Prior to selecting Macdonald as head coach, Quinn was interviewed twice by Seattle for the position.
Durde, 44, worked as a defensive assistant for three seasons in Atlanta and interned as a coach for the Cowboys from 2014 to 2015.
Along with Macdonald, Durde will have a significant responsibility in improving a defense that has had terrible performance in recent seasons. Seattle placed 30th in total yards allowed, 31st in run defense, and 25th in scoring defense at the end of the 2023 year.
The native place of Durde is Middlesex, England. He spent time on the practice squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers during his six seasons as a professional linebacker in NFL Europe. Durde worked for a while in the NFLUK’s international player pathway program as the head of football development after his playing career ended.
