Seahawks reportedly thought Mike Macdonald’s Sean Payton story was off-the-record

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is making headlines for a story he told reporter Graham Bensinger in a recent interview, only the story was never intended for public consumption.

In a now-viral video clip from Bensinger's interview with Macdonald, the Seahawks coach explains that, prior to the team's Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos in 2024, the team compiled fan-shot video clips from Broncos training camp to study what plays they might run in the opener. When Broncos head coach Sean Payton caught wind of the effort midseason, Macdonald says Payton called Seahawks general manager John Scheider completely incensed and threatened to come out publicly with Connor Stallions-esque accusations. In response, the Seahawks countered by saying they'd sue if Payton and the Broncos went public, because the suggestion that Seattle was planting people at Broncos training camp to videotape practice was untrue.

The story itself is fascinating, and both Macdonald and Payton are sure to get some questions about it during upcoming press conferences. But perhaps equally fascinating is the circumstances surrounding the clip. The conversation between Macdonald and Bensinger occurred while the two were mic'd up, but seemingly before the interview formally began. The video clip shows a wide shot of the set with camera, audio, and lighting gear all in frame. The primary cameras, it would seem, were not yet rolling.

And according to Mike Florio in Pro Football Talk , the Seahawks had no idea that part of the conversation was even recorded until the video began to circulate on social media Tuesday morning. Additionally, the team is characterizing that portion of the conversation as "more off than on" the record, suggesting that Bensinger should've used some discretion before releasing it.

Of course, that decision is purely up to the journalist. If there was no prior arrangement that part of the conversation would be off-the-record, Bensinger is under no obligation to keep what Macdonald said under wraps.

It is unusual, however, for Bensinger to release this clip in the first place. While very interesting and even quite newsworthy, publicizing this part of the conversation was a surefire way to upset the Seahawks and likely Macdonald himself. It could also have the unintended consequence of making future interview subjects weary of agreeing to sit down with Bensinger in the first place.

While not often spoken about, this is the type of calculation reporters will make many times throughout their careers. If they deem a story is big enough to warrant burning a bridge or two, they'll publish it. If they deem it's better to keep the information private or squirrel it away for later in order to maintain a relationship with a source, they won't.

It appears Bensinger made the calculation that this story was worth getting in front of people, even if the Seahawks will be upset about it.