The 2023 Seattle Sea Dragons season was the second season for the Seattle Sea Dragons as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2023 season. The Sea Dragons played their home games at the Lumen Field and were led by head coach Jim Haslett.
The Sea Dragons had changed their franchise name from Seattle Dragons to Seattle Sea Dragons prior to the 2023 season.
Earning their first playoff berth and clinching second place in the North Division, the Sea Dragons were eliminated by the DC Defenders in the North Division title game in the playoffs.
On January 1, 2024, it was announced that the 2023 season was the last season for the Sea Dragons.
Final roster
* Defensive end Chris Smith died on April 17, 2023, eight days after he played in an XFL game against the D.C. Defenders.
Background
The 2020 season was the inaugural season for the Seattle Dragons as a professional club. They were playing as charter members of the rebooted XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the season. The Dragons played their home games at CenturyLink Field and were led by head coach Jim Zorn.
Their inaugural season was cut short after 5 weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the XFL suspended operations for the remainder of the season on March 20, 2020. The Dragons finished the season with a 1–4 record.
Schedule All times Pacific Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record 1 Sunday February 19 5:00 p.m. ESPN at DC Defenders 18–22 0–1 Audi Field 12,438 2 Thursday February 23 6:00 p.m. FX St. Louis BattleHawks 18–20 0–2 Lumen Field 10,386 3 Saturday March 4 4:00 p.m. FX at Vegas Vipers 30–26 1–2 Cashman Field 6,037 4 Saturday March 11 7:00 p.m. FX San Antonio Brahmas 15–6 2–2 Lumen Field 15,103 5 Thursday March 16 7:30 p.m. ESPN Houston Roughnecks 21–14 3–2 Lumen Field 9,231 6 Saturday March 25 10:00 a.m. ABC at Orlando Guardians 26–19 4–2 Camping World Stadium 7,832 7 Friday March 31 4:00 p.m. FX at Arlington Renegades 24–15 5–2 Choctaw Stadium 11,032 8 Sunday April 9 4:00 p.m. ESPN2 DC Defenders 33–34 5–3 Lumen Field 11,874 9 Sunday April 16 12:00 p.m. ESPN at St. Louis BattleHawks 30–12 6–3 The Dome at America's Center 33,142 10 Sunday April 23 4:00 p.m. ESPN2 Vegas Vipers 28–9 7–3 Lumen Field 15,046
Game summaries Week 1: at DC Defenders
Week 2: vs. St. Louis BattleHawks
Week 3: at Vegas Vipers
Week 4: vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Week 5: vs. Houston Roughnecks
Week 6: at Orlando Guardians
Week 7: at Arlington Renegades
Week 8: vs. DC Defenders
Week 9: at St. Louis BattleHawks
Week 10: vs. Vegas Vipers
Standings
Postseason Schedule Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record Division Finals Sunday April 30 12:00 p.m. ESPN at DC Defenders 21–37 0–1 Audi Field 18,684
Game summaries XFL North Division Finals: at (1) DC Defenders
Staff Seattle Sea Dragons staffFront office Director of team operations – Pat Mathews Director of player personnel – Randy Mueller
Head coach General manager/Head coach – Jim Haslett
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – June Jones Quarterbacks - Dan Morrison Running backs - Wes Suan Wide Receivers/Special Teams - Ty Knott Offensive Line - Dennis McKnight Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Ron Zook Defensive Line - Chip Garber Linebackers - Matt Fleischacker Defensive Backs - Mike Gillhamer Safeties/Quality Control - Aaron McGinty
Team operations Athletic Trainer – Scottie Patton Equipment Manager – Trevor Pueblo Video Manager - Drew Scharenbroch
References