Mike Macdonald Hails Nick Emmanwori: ‘This is the Kind of Player Who Can Lead the Seahawks to Greatness’
In an emotional display of admiration and respect, Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, couldn’t hide his praise for rookie linebacker Nick Emmanwori after his stunning performance in the team’s latest game. “Nick Emmanwori showed us all what it means to never give up. That kind of performance, that kind of grit, is what defines champions. We’ve all been watching, and the Seahawks fans are right to be excited. This is the kind of player who can lead this team to greatness,” Macdonald said, reflecting on Emmanwori’s impact.
Emmanwori, a standout defensive talent, had a game for the ages, contributing in ways that showcased both his physical prowess and mental toughness. His performance wasn’t just about the stats, though the numbers certainly back him up. It was about the energy he brought to the field and the heart he displayed when the game was on the line.
For Macdonald, Emmanwori’s heroics embody the kind of player he believes can take the Seahawks to the next level. “It’s not always about making the flashy plays,” Macdonald continued. “It’s about consistency, the little things, and the ability to step up when the moment calls for it. Nick did that in spades. Seahawks fans should be thrilled to have him on their side.”
Emmanwori’s impact was felt across the entire team, as he stepped into a leadership role in just his rookie season. With his relentless work ethic and fearlessness on the field, he’s quickly becoming a key figure in the Seahawks’ defense, earning the trust of his coaches and teammates alike. His ability to stay focused in high-pressure situations is exactly the trait that can elevate a team striving for greatness.
As the Seahawks look to solidify their position in the playoff race, Emmanwori’s presence will be crucial. His leadership and commitment to excellence are qualities that can inspire a whole team to rally together and push for higher goals. Macdonald’s endorsement of Emmanwori as a future leader is a testament to his potential and the role he will play in the franchise’s future success.
The Seahawks' defense has already seen tremendous improvement this season, and Emmanwori’s efforts have been a driving force behind that. The team is building a culture of grit, resilience, and accountability, and players like Emmanwori are leading the way. With a coach like Macdonald guiding the defense, and young talents like Emmanwori stepping up, the future looks incredibly bright for Seattle.
Mike Macdonald’s comments are a reflection of the high expectations he has for Emmanwori—and rightly so. The rookie linebacker has already shown that he has the talent and the mentality to lead the Seahawks to greatness. If he continues to perform at this level, it may only be a matter of time before the team reaches the heights they’ve been striving for.
Yankees Can Swing Trade With Brewers for Frontline Starter
Freddy Peralta is in his walk year with the Milwaukee Brewers. It's fair to wonder if they'll end up moving him the way they did with Corbin Burnes in 2024. If they do, the New York Yankees could be a landing spot for Milwaukee's ace.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden named the Yankees, as well as the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays, as potential suitors. When it comes down to it, an ace earning $8,000,000 should be a hot commodity this winter, and any team looking to contend is likely to check in.
Freddy Peralta's 3Ks in the 4th.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 4, 2025
8Ks thru 4. pic.twitter.com/iALjmtGnKZ
The Yankees and Freddy Peralta
In the case of the Yankees, who will be down their own ace to start 2026, Gerrit Cole, as well as Carlos Rodon, Peralta would be more than enough to step in for the two veterans. According to Bowden, for a deal to get done, he could see two players with control being moved on general manager Brian Cashman's end.
"The Yankees could dangle right-handed starting pitcher Will Warren and shortstop Jose Caballero for Peralta, giving the Brewers two players to slot onto their major-league roster immediately," Bowden writes.
"Warren would step right into the Brewers' rotation, and they would control him for five more years. Warren, 26, was 9-8 last year for the Yankees with a 4.44 ERA in 162 1/3 innings with 171 strikeouts," he continues. "Of course, Peralta is a No. 1-type starter and Warren is more of a mid-rotation arm, but mid-rotation starters with that much team control left can be a valuable part of roster building. Warren has a plus fastball, and the Brewers have a history of getting the most out of their pitching talent."
Postseason Experience
Peralta, who led the National League in wins and was fifth in Cy Young voting last year, not only comes with a brilliant regular-season track record, but he also has plenty of postseason experience. Peralta has pitched in big October games since 2018.
The only issue is that he has only pitched into the sixth inning twice in the postseason. Both instances came this year.
Peralta pitched 5.2 innings against the Cubs, giving up two earned runs. He then did it against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Peralta allowed three earned runs.
Freddy Peralta was living it up in the clubhouse while shouting out all of the @Brewers supporters 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7WIBdFrfuB
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 12, 2025
The Brewers are also 1-8 in games that he pitched in. The losses and lack of innings are less on Peralta, though, and probably more the fact that the Brewers historically love going to their bullpen.
Postseason experience aside, Peralta is precisely the type of pitcher the Yankees should be targeting. In three straight seasons, he has struck out over 200 batters and pitched in over 30 games. Last season, he posted a career-low 2.70 ERA, with an expected ERA of 3.48.
