Best part of Seahawks voluntary workouts is the return of this elite player

The Seattle Seahawks got to hold voluntary meetings and workouts a bit earlier than most other teams this offseason because Seattle is one of the teams with a new head coach. For the previous 14 offseasons, head coach Pete Carroll was in charge of the team, but he was removed from his post after this past season. Mike Macdonald is now in charge of what the team learns and does.

For many Seattle veterans getting together for the first time with new teammates and new coaches on April 8, the "vibe" was good. That was seemingly the word of the day, too. When asked how everything went on the first day, left tackle Charles Cross and cornerback Riq Woolen both said there were "good vibes."

Safety Julian Love told reporters that Mike Macdonald was a "good dude" and "incredibly smart." That has been a common word used to describe Macdonald as well. The coach appears to have the ability to communicate his direction in a clear and concise manner so that everyone understands their assignments and the expectations of what teammates should be doing as well.

Seattle Seahawks will be better with the return of edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu

But with all the good feelings around, there was likely no more important event than the seemingly healthy appearance of edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu. Nwosu wasn't just hanging around talking to people, either. He participated in the limited on-field activities which included all-out sprints.

Nwosu is a crucial part of the defensive success for the Seahawks. He is a good pass-rusher but he is the team's best edge rusher when it comes to setting a hard edge against the run. There is little argument that after losing Nwosu for the season in Week 7 of last year due to a torn pec muscle the defense got much worse. If he is on one side and Boye Mafe is on the other, Seattle has a fantastic duo in order to slow whatever the opposing offense is trying to do.

The run defense suffered the most after Nwosu was lost. His replacements consisted of Darrell Taylor and Derick Hall, both of whom were terrible against the run. Hall supplied zero pass rush. Taylor continued his inconsistency in providing any kind of production.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in the seven games Nwosu played, Mafe was graded as the better overall edge rusher, but Nwosu was better specifically against the run. No other Seahawks edge rusher was close to Nwosu and Mafe's grades. Nwosu did have 62 total pressures in 2022, however.

The defense should be better in Seattle in 2024. This is because Mike Macdonald will probably have a better scheme and better direction on what needs to happen. But the return of Nwosu is also an important part of the defense being better and he looks like he will be ready to play well before Week 1.

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