The Seattle Seahawks made a surprising move by waiving starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson after their bye week, a decision that reflects their struggles on defense amid a 4-5 season. Coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the need for improvement and indicated that younger players like Tyrice Knight and Drake Thomas would have a chance to step up.

Despite leading the team in tackles, Dodson's release comes as part of a broader evaluation of the defense's performance, which has been underwhelming against the run. Macdonald clarified that the changes were not solely aimed at Dodson but were part of a necessary shift in the linebacker unit to enhance overall defensive play.