Seattle Sea Dragons
{{short description|American football team}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox USFL team
| name = Seattle Sea Dragons
| current =
| logo = Seattle Sea Dragons.png
| logosize =
| helmet =
| helmetsize =
| uniform =
| uniformsize =
| established = 2018 (as the Seattle Dragons)
| folded = 2024
| city =
| location = Seattle, Washington
| stadium_years = * Lumen Field (2020, 2023)
| owner = {{ubl|Alpha Acquico, LLC{{cite news|author=Perry, Mark|title=More Details On The Rock Purchase Of The XFL, How Many Bidders|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/more-details-on-the-rock-purchase-of-the-xfl-how-many-bidders|website=XFL News Hub|date=August 3, 2020|access-date=August 3, 2020}}|{{hlist|(RedBird Capital Partners|Dwayne Johnson|Dany Garcia)}}}}
| coach = Jim Zorn (2020)
Jim Haslett (2023)
| manager =
| league = XFL (2020–2023)
- West Division (2020)
- North Division (2023)
| team_history =
- Seattle Dragons (2020–2022)
- Seattle Sea Dragons (2023)
| no_league_champs = 0
| no_conf_champs = 0
| no_div_champs = 0
| no_playoff_appearances = 1
| league_champs =
| conf_champs =
| div_champs =
| playoff_appearances = * XFL: 2023
| website = {{URL|https://xfl.com/teams/seattle|xfl.com/teams/seattle}}
| colors = Orange, navy, green{{cite press release|title=Seattle Dragons' uniforms, helmet|url=https://www.xfl.com/articles/seattle-dragons-uniforms-reveal|website=XFL.com|date=December 3, 2019|access-date=December 12, 2019}}
{{color box|#DC4405}} {{color box|#0C2340}} {{color box|#00843D}}
}}
The Seattle Sea Dragons were a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The Sea Dragons competed in the second incarnation of the XFL. The team was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment as the Seattle Dragons, and were owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico. The Sea Dragons played their home games at Lumen Field.
History
=McMahon era (2020)=
File:XFL Seattle Sea Dragons Players.jpg
On December 5, 2018, Seattle was announced as one of eight cities that would join the newly reformed XFL, as well as St. Louis, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, DC, Tampa Bay, and Dallas.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2018/12/05/xfl-picks-houston-as-an-inaugural-city-announces.html |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.bizjournals.com |title=XFL picks Houston as an inaugural city, announces stadiums}} Former Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn, who was the first quarterback to start for the Seahawks,{{cite news |last1=Hanson |first1=Scott |title='It really is something to savor': QB Brandon Silvers to lead XFL Dragons in franchise's first game |agency=Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/it-really-is-something-to-savor-qb-brandon-silvers-to-lead-xfl-dragons-in-franchises-first-game/ |access-date=8 February 2020}} was named the team's first head coach on February 25, 2019.{{Cite web |date=25 February 2019 |title=Seahawks legend Jim Zorn named coach and GM of Seattle's XFL franchise |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/seahawks-legend-jim-zorn-named-coach-and-gm-of-seattles-xfl-franchise/}} The team name and logo were revealed on August 21, 2019, as well as the team's uniforms on December 3, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Spedden |first=Zach |date=2019-08-21 |title=XFL Team Names and Logos Unveiled |url=https://footballstadiumdigest.com/2019/08/xfl-team-names-and-logos-unveiled/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Football Stadium Digest |language=en-US}}
On October 15, 2019, The Dragons announced their first player in team history, being assigned former Memphis Express Quarterback Brandon Silvers.{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |date=2019-10-15 |title=XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/15/xfl-announces-its-eight-allocated-quarterbacks/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}
The Dragons won their first game in team history on February 16, 2020, defeating the Tampa Bay Vipers 17-9. On March 12, 2020, The XFL announced that the remainder of the 2020 XFL season had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finished with a 1–4 record. On April 10, 2020, the XFL suspended operations, with all of the league's employees, players and staff being terminated.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/29021347/xfl-suspends-operations-lays-employees-no-plans-return-2021 |title=XFL suspends operations, lays off employees and has no plans for 2021 season |last=Seifert/Yates |first=Kevin/Field |date=April 10, 2020 |website=www.ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN |access-date=September 17, 2023}}
= Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia era (2023) =
On August 3, 2020, it was reported that a consortium led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale (through Cardinale's fund RedBird Capital Partners) purchased the XFL for $15 million just hours before an auction could take place; the purchase received court approval on August 7, 2020.{{Cite news |date=August 2, 2020 |title=THE ROCK BUYS THE XFL FOR $15 MILLION |work=RingsideNews.com |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2020/08/03/the-rock-buys-the-xfl-for-15-million/ |access-date=August 2, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Kerr |first=Jeff |date=August 2, 2020 |title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson buys XFL for $15 million with partners RedBird Capital and Dany Garcia |publisher=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-buys-xfl-for-15-million-with-partner-redbird-capital-per-report/ |access-date=August 2, 2020}} The XFL hired Jim Haslett as a Head Coach on April 13, 2022, with the expectation that he would be coaching the Seattle team.{{Cite web |title=XFL Announces Head Coaches: Reggie Barlow, Anthony Becht, Terrell Buckley, Jim Haslett, Wade Phillips, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-announces-head-coaches |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} On July 24, 2022, the return of the Seattle XFL franchise was confirmed, as well as the hiring of Jim Haslett.{{Cite web |title=XFL UNVEILS TEAM MARKETS AND VENUES: ARLINGTON, HOUSTON, ORLANDO, LAS VEGAS, SAN ANTONIO, SEATTLE, ST. LOUIS, WASHINGTON D.C. |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-cities-and-venues-announcement |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} Haslett brought on June Jones, who had been head coach of the undefeated Houston Roughnecks the previous XFL season, in as the offensive coordinator to run the Run and Shoot offense. On October 31, 2022, the XFL officially announced that the Dragons would be changing their name to "Sea Dragons", as well as unveiling a brand new logo.
The newly rechristened Sea Dragons' 2023 season saw the team earn their first playoff berth and clinch second place in the North Division with a 7–3 record. The Sea Dragons would be eliminated by the DC Defenders in the North Division title game in the playoffs.{{cite web|title=Sea Dragons see season end in XFL North Division title game|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seattle-dragons/sea-dragons-see-season-end-in-xfl-north-division-title-game/|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=May 1, 2023|date=April 30, 2023}}
In September 2023, Axios reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons.{{cite web |last1=Baysinger |first1=Tim |last2=Primack |first2=Dan |last3=Fischer |first3=Sara |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-merger |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=Axios |language=en}} On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge with details surrounding the merger to be announced at a later date.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/xfl-united-states-football-league-announce-intention-to-merge-1.2013718 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}} The merger would also require regulatory approval.{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Tom |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/xfl/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-discussing-merger/70899491007/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=USA Today |language=en}} In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League".{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL' |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/xfl-files-trademark-applications-united-football-18433404.php |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US}} On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her Instagram page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "combined season" to begin March 30, 2024.{{Cite web |title=We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Rxyhvx3ug/ |website=Instagram |language=en-US}} The merger was made official on December 31, 2023, and on January 1, 2024, it was announced the Sea Dragons would not be a part of the merger.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/usfl-xfl-announce-merger-formation-of-new-spring-football-league-the-ufl-182236680.html |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=James |date=2024-01-01 |title=United Football League Announces Their 8 UFL Teams For 2024 |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/united-football-league-announces-their-8-ufl-teams-for-2024/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Pro Football Newsroom |language=en-US}} Geographic concerns were a substantial factor in the Dragons being excluded, as the newly merged league had a reduced geographic footprint (concentrated mostly in the midwestern and southern United States) compared to the XFL in an effort to limit travel expenses.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Joey |date=2024-01-03 |title=‘St. Louis was all in’ – UFL leader Daryl Johnston speaks on Battlehawks and new merger |url=https://fox2now.com/sports/battlehawks/st-louis-was-all-in-ufl-leader-daryl-johnston-speaks-on-battlehawks-and-new-merger/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=FOX 2 |language=en-US}} The league retains an interest in the market, reportedly has identified the Sea Dragons as a frontrunner for revival for the league's planned 2026 expansion and has maintained a retainer agreement with Lumen Field for the potential return of the franchise;{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Mark |date=2024-11-27 |title=UFL Expansion: Seattle Leads 10 Markets Eyeing 2026 Entry |url=https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-expansion-seattle-leads-10-markets-eyeing-2026-entry/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=UFL News Hub |language=en-US}} league vice president Daryl Johnston stated in March 2025 that the geographic restrictions that led to Seattle being suspended in the merger would not be an issue once the league began rewarding expansion teams.{{Cite web |last=Camenker |first=Jacob |title=UFL expansion timeline: Why spring league is exploring new cities, teams |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/03/24/ufl-expansion-spring-league-new-markets-teams-cities/82609536007/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} The UFL considered hosting the 2025 championship game in Seattle under the retainer agreement, a reward typically only given to cities with active teams, but found the stadium was unavailable due to conflicts with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.{{Cite web |last=Larsen |first=James |date=2025-02-20 |title=St. Louis Expected To Host The 2025 UFL Championship |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/st-louis-expected-to-host-the-2025-ufl-championship/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Pro Football Newsroom |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Mark |date=2025-02-20 |title=UFL 2025 Championship Game To Be Played In St Louis |url=https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/ufl-2025-championship-game-to-be-played-in-st-louis/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky |access-date=2025-02-20 |language=en-US}}
Coach history
= Head coach history =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |# ! rowspan="2" |Name ! rowspan="2" |Term ! colspan="4" |Regular season ! colspan="3" |Playoffs ! rowspan="2" |Awards |
| GC
!W !L !Win % !GC !W !L |
|---|
| colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Dragons|border=2}};" |Seattle Dragons |
| 1
|2020 |5 |1 |4 |.200 | – | – | – | |
| colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons|border=2}};" |Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 2
|2023 |10 |7 |3 |.700 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
= Offensive coordinator history =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |# ! rowspan="2" |Name ! rowspan="2" |Term ! colspan="4" |Regular season ! colspan="3" |Playoffs ! rowspan="2" |Awards |
| GC
!W !L !Win % !GC !W !L |
|---|
| colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Dragons|border=2}};" |Seattle Dragons |
| 1
|2020 |5 |1 |4 |.200 | – | – | – | |
| colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons|border=2}};" |Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 2
|2023 |10 |7 |3 |.700 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
= Defensive coordinator history =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |# ! rowspan="2" |Name ! rowspan="2" |Term ! colspan="4" |Regular season ! colspan="3" |Playoffs ! rowspan="2" |Awards |
| GC
!W !L !Win % !GC !W !L |
|---|
| colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Dragons|border=2}};" |Seattle Dragons |
| 1
|2020 |5 |1 |4 |.200 | – | – | – | |
| colspan="11" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons|border=2}};" |Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 2
|2023 |10 |7 |3 |.700 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
Player history
= Current NFL players =
| class="wikitable"
!XFL season !Pos !Name !NFL team |
| 2020
|G |
= Notable players =
| class="wikitable"
!XFL season !Pos !Name !Notes |
| 2020
|LB |Former Denver Broncos Linebacker |
| 2023
|WR |Former Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver, 2012 2nd Round Pick, 2013 Pro Bowler |
| 2023
|RB |Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl Running Back |
| 2023
|LB |Former Cincinnati Bengals Linebacker |
Rivalries
= Overall regular season record vs. opponents =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Team !Record !Win % |
| Vegas Vipers
|3-0 |1.000 |
| Orlando Guardians
|1-0 |1.000 |
| San Antonio Brahmas
|1-0 |1.000 |
| Houston Roughnecks
|1-1 |.500 |
| Arlington Renegades
|1-1 |.500 |
| St. Louis Battlehawks
|1-2 |.333 |
| DC Defenders
|0-3 |.000 |
=Season-by-season record=
| class="wikitable"
|bgcolor="#ffcccc"|XFL champions§ |bgcolor="#d0e7ff"| Division champions^ |bgcolor="#96cdcd"|Wild Card berth# |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan="2"|Season !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|League !rowspan="2"|Conference !rowspan="2"|Division !colspan="3"|Regular season !rowspan="2"|Postseason results !rowspan="2"|Awards !rowspan="2"|Head coaches !rowspan="2"|Pct. |
| Finish
!{{Tooltip|W|Wins}} !{{Tooltip|L|Losses}} |
|---|
| 2020
|2020 |XFL ! |West ||4th ||1 ||4 ||Season Suspended after 5 games due to Covid-19 | ||Jim Zorn ||{{winning percentage|1|4}} |
| 2021
| colspan=11 rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | No Season |
| 2022 |
| 2023
|2023 |XFL ! |North |bgcolor="#96cdcd"|2nd # |bgcolor="#96cdcd"|7 |bgcolor="#96cdcd"|3 |bgcolor="#96cdcd"|Lost Division Finals (Defenders) 21–37 | ||{{winning percentage|7|3}} |
| rowspan="4" colspan="6"|Total
|8 |7 !colspan="3"|All-time regular season record (2020–2023) |{{winning percentage|8|7}} |
| 0
|1 |colspan="3"|All-time postseason record (2020–2023) |{{winning percentage|0|1}} |
| 8
!8 !colspan="3"|All-time regular season and postseason record (2020–2023) |{{winning percentage|8|8}} |
Records
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons}};" |All-time Sea Dragons leaders | |||
| style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons}};" |Leader || style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons}};" |Player || style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons}};" |Record || style="{{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|Seattle Sea Dragons}};" |Years with Sea Dragons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Ben DiNucci | 2,671 passing yards | 2023 |
| Passing touchdowns
|20 passing touchdowns |2023 | |||
| Rushing yards | Ben DiNucci | 305 rushing yards | 2023 |
| Rushing touchdowns
|3 rushing touchdowns |2023 | |||
| Receiving yards | Jahcour Pearson | 670 receiving yards | 2023 |
| Receiving touchdowns
|6 receiving touchdowns |2023 | |||
| Receptions | Jahcour Pearson | 60 receptions | 2023 |
| Tackles
|48 tackles |2020 2023 | |||
| Sacks
|6.0 sacks |2023 | |||
| Interceptions | Qwynnterrio Cole | 3 interceptions | 2023 |
References
{{Reflist}}