LOS ANGELES — A decade ago, the rivalry between the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers was the most contentious and most competitive in the NFL. The coaches of each team, Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh, had an icy relationship dating back to their time battling each other as college head coaches.
Now, Harbaugh will make a long-awaited return to an NFL sideline as a head coach with the Los Angeles Chargers. It is only fitting that his first preseason game will come against the franchise that was his foil, albeit without his former nemesis Carroll.
After parting ways with the 49ers following the 2014 NFL season, Harbaugh returned to his alma mater at the University of Michigan. In another twist of irony, the Seahawks' new head coach, Mike Macdonald, was once part of Harbaugh's Michigan coaching staff as a defensive coordinator.
Harbaugh returns to the NFL after finally bringing a national championship back to Michigan. His departure coincidentally came just before Michigan became the focus of multiple investigations by the NCAA related to allegations of sign-stealing and violating recruiting regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like Harbaugh, the Seahawks also are embarking on a new era after Carroll's ouster at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Macdonald comes to Seattle after several years leading an elite defensive unit for the Baltimore Ravens. Macdonald, 37, is the youngest head coach in the NFL and has brought a new vibe to the organization after Carroll's 14 years at the helm.
How to watch Seahawks vs. Chargers NFL preseason game
Fans in western Washington can see the Seahawks' preseason opener live on KONG at 4:05 p.m. PT. Former Seahawks stars Michael Robinson and Michael Bennett will be analysts alongside broadcaster Kate Scott. KING 5's Paul Silvi will have pre and post-game coverage alongside Cliff Avril.
