‘It’s real’: Macdonald praises first-round pick Zabel’s stellar start
Seattle Seahawks head coach shares what has stood about first-round pick Grey Zabel, who has produced some impressive stats in his first eight games as a pro.
Watch: Mike Macdonald on the #Seahawks Week 9 WIN vs The Commanders | Mike Macdonald Show | 23 mins
The Seattle Seahawks created quite the national buzz on Sunday night.
With a chance to play in front of the entire country in primetime, the Seahawks scored the first 28 points and coasted to a 38-14 victory over the Washington Commanders, who reached the NFC title game last season.
Seattle Seahawks Injuries: The latest on LB Ernest Jones IV
Quarterback Sam Darnold stole the show with his perfect 16-of-16 performance and four touchdowns in the first half. But there was plenty of praise to go around for the Seahawks, which included some for rookie left guard Grey Zabel.
After the Seahawks wrapped up their win, NFL Plus shared some numbers from Next Gen Stats on social media that illustrated just how good Seattle’s first-round pick has been through his first eight games as a pro.
According to the post, Zabel has yet to surrender a sack and has the sixth-lowest quarterback pressure rate allowed (3.5%) among all offensive linemen with at least with at least 50 pass-blocking snaps played this season.
Seahawks rookie OL Grey Zabel has not allowed a sack this season and has the sixth lowest QB Pressure % allowed (3.5%) among all offensive lineman (min. 50 pass blocking snaps), per @NextGenStats ✋🛑#GoHawks pic.twitter.com/YxJjCxQViE
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) November 3, 2025
The Seahawks’ head coach was asked about the stellar numbers Zabel has produced during The Mike Macdonald Show with Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Monday.
“It’s real,” Macdonald said.
Seattle’s second-year coach was quick to point out how he’s been impressed with the way Zabel has quickly connected with his linemates, which includes former college teammate Jalen Sundell at center.
“How he works with Jalen and (left tackle) Charles (Cross) is really cool,” he said. “They developed a really good relationship, and it takes chemistry (on the offensive line). You’re not just on five islands. You got to work together up front.”
Macdonald also shared some praise for the North Dakota State product’s demeanor and abilities on the field.
“As far as Grey just individually, he’s steady, he’s tough, he’s got some attitude about him, he finishes plays, he’s competitive as crap,” Macdonald said. “I mean, all those things are a recipe for a dang good offensive lineman, and I’m glad we picked him. Just a great a job by all of our people and (general manager) John (Schneider) to make the move on draft day.”
Watch the full conversation with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald in the video at this top of this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Stacy Rost: Seahawks create national buzz with primetime blowout
• Observations from Seahawks’ 38-14 thrashing of the Commanders
• Instant Reaction: Seattle Seahawks make statement on SNF
• Seahawks reportedly ‘very aggressive’ as trade deadline approaches
• Report: Teams eyeing two Seattle Seahawks in trade talks
Related
ESPN’s Passan believes Cal Raleigh ‘will fix himself’
Salk: Mariners will solve a big conundrum at trade deadline
Salk: Two things need to happen for Mariners in second half
Brock: Seahawks will have a top-10 offensive line in the NFL
An outside-the-box trade idea for the Mariners
Salk: Leonard Williams is a superstar, and we don’t talk about it enough
Comments