Competitive advantages come in all forms.
It might be a scheme thing, an ill-timed injury or even a beneficial call from the referees. Or maybe it's a bunch of excited fans at training camp posting videos of training camp practices.
In a league where the margins are so thin, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald won't leave any stone unturned. During an interview with Graham Bensinger, Macdonald told a story about how the Seahawks scouted the Denver Broncos through training camp videos posted by fans in 2024.
"We play them our first game," Macdonald said. "Fans will post plays from training camp on Twitter, so it's like public knowledge.
"We took like 100 plays from their training camp."
Mike Macdonald said Sean Payton threatened to accuse the
Seahawks of a spygate cheating situation because they used training camp clips from X to their advantage. Seahawks then threatened to sue him. (via @GrahamBensinger)pic.twitter.com/Ab4rHkOiNR
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) September 22, 2026
Macdonald noted that the team used those plays they found on social media to scout the Broncos ahead of their Week 1 matchup in 2024. The Seahawks went on to win, 26-20. They also forced three turnovers, including a pair of interceptions from Bo Nix.
Broncos coach Sean Payton caught wind of the situation during the season and, as Macdonald said, threatened to go public with his findings.
"[Payton] called [Seahawks general manager John Schneider] and basically threatened to come out publicly and do a whole Patriots Spygate type of thing. And I'm sitting there like, 'Oh my god, I'm like we didn't cheat.'
"He thought it was a Michigan thing and we had a plant. So we had to counter with him to say, 'Hey look, if you come out with this then we're gonna sue you because it's not true.'"
Macdonald said Payton backed down after that, comparing the situation to the Cold War, with both teams threatening to "push the button."
Both coaches later exchanged pleasantries at the NFL combine after the season, a sign that the war between the two franchises was seemingly over.
The Broncos now restrict phone access during training camp as they attempt to prevent another Seahawks situation. According to the Broncos' team site, they have a strict no-phone policy in the seating area:
"Please help us protect our plays by keeping your phone in your pocket during practice. Use of phones during practice will be STRICTLY prohibited. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave Broncos Camp."
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the Broncos for comment.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Macdonald explains how Seahawks used social media to scout Broncos in 2024
