Continuing to fill out his first staff as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Macdonald may have another familiar face joining him in the Pacific Northwest.
Two days after landing long-time NFL defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier as associate head coach, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Seahawks have expressed interest in Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen for their defensive coordinator opening. According to the report, the Washington Commanders and Michigan Wolverines also are in the mix for his services in the same role.
Boasting 17 seasons of experience as an NFL assistant coach, Cullen has bounced around spending time with six different franchises, including two separate stints with the Jaguars. On the same staff as Macdonald at the time, he previously served under coach Jon Harbaugh with the Ravens as a defensive line coach from 2016 to 2020, enjoying tremendous success with the team finishing in the top-five in scoring defense in three of those seasons.
Among those who thrived playing for Cullen in Baltimore, Calais Campbell made his sixth Pro Bowl in their lone season together, while Matt Judon, Brandon Williams, and Terrell Suggs all earned at least one Pro Bowl nod apiece. During that span, the Ravens gave up fewer than 19 points per game in four seasons.
Even during a chaotic lone 2021 season as defensive coordinator in Jacksonville under embattled coach Urban Meyer, Cullen orchestrated dramatic improvements amid an untenable situation. Under his direction, the Jaguars allowed fewer yards, points per game, yards per carry, and passing yards per game than they did in the prior season and they increased their sack total from 18 to 32, nearly doubling their output from 2020.
Having coached together for five seasons in Baltimore, Cullen would be a natural fit to join Macdonald's staff and his defensive line background would fill a significant void with Macdonald previously coaching linebackers and secondary and Frazier primarily being known for his work with defensive backs. Offering 16 years of experience as a defensive line coach, his presence would be a major boost for a front line that has struggled at times in recent seasons, particularly against the run.
If Cullen does end up being hired as the Seahawks new defensive coordinator, he likely won't be calling plays as he did with the Jaguars three years ago. During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Macdonald indicated he planned to call plays, viewing that as the "best way we can win" for the time being.
Assuming Cullen doesn't have play calling duties, he would still be involved in the game planning process and in-game adjustments with a special emphasis on the defensive line in Seattle. With plenty of competition for his services, it remains to be seen whether or not a move is imminent.
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