Seahawks and Broncos dispute over alleged training-camp footage surfaces

Seahawks defensive coordinator Pete Macdonald responded to Broncos head coach Sean Payton's allegation that Seattle obtained training-camp footage through improper means. Macdonald said Payton "thought it was a Michigan thing where we had a plant," referring to the 2023 Connor Stalions scandal at the University of Michigan, in which a mechanism was used to scout opponents' sideline signals in violation of NCAA rules.

The comment highlighted Macdonald's prior year (2021) as defensive coordinator on Jim Harbaugh's Michigan staff and noted that the 2024 Seahawks employed former Michigan assistant Matt Weiss as an outside contractor, despite Weiss facing criminal allegations related to hacking.

Payton's claim that the Seahawks sent someone to record Broncos practices has not been substantiated. The dispute was reportedly settled after the Seahawks warned they would consider legal action if Payton went public, and the matter faded from public view.

Both coaches are expected to address the issue at their upcoming press conferences. The Broncos will host the Seahawks in a Thursday night game in 22 days, prompting further media scrutiny of the allegations.