# Macdonald and Payton's Cold War over video spying

> Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald reveals how Sean Payton threatened to expose them for using fan-posted practice videos, sparking a tense standoff.
- Title: Macdonald and Payton's Cold War over video spying · NBC Sports
- Summary: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald reveals how Sean Payton threatened to expose them for using fan-posted practice videos, sparking a tense standoff. Using…
- Keywords: mike macdonald, sean payton, seattle seahawks, denver broncos, nfl, cheating allegations, spygate, practice videos, week 1, 2024 season, john schneider, sports
- Source: NBC Sports — https://nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/mike-macdonald-recounts-cold-war-with-sean-payton-during-the-2024-season
- Published: 2026-09-22T21:05:08.256+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mike macdonald, sean payton, seattle seahawks, denver broncos, nfl, cheating allegations, spygate, practice videos, week 1, 2024 season, john schneider, sports
## Macdonald reveals Cold War with Payton
During an interview, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald recounted a tense conflict with Broncos coach Sean Payton that unfolded during the 2024 season after their Week 1 matchup.
## Seahawks used fan videos for prep
The Seahawks collected fan-posted videos from Broncos practices on social media as part of their game preparation, treating them as public knowledge.
## Payton discovered the tactic mid-season
Payton learned how the Seahawks used the videos in the middle of the season and called GM John Schneider, reportedly furious about the practice.
## Payton threatened Spygate-style exposure
Payton threatened to publicly accuse the Seahawks of cheating similar to the Patriots Spygate scandal, believing they had planted a spy like Michigan's scheme.

> He basically threatened to come out publicly and do a whole Patriot Spygate type of thing.
## Seahawks countered with legal threat
Macdonald said the Seahawks responded by threatening to sue Payton if he made false public accusations, since they had not actually cheated.

> If you come out with this, we're going to sue you because it's not true.
## Standoff ended without resolution
Payton eventually dropped the issue, but Macdonald described the situation as a Cold War where both sides threatened escalation but neither followed through.

> It was like the Cold War. He's like, 'I'm going to hit the button.' 'Well, we're going to hit the button.' None of us hit the button.
## Payton may face questions before Week 6
The two teams meet again in Week 6, and Payton will likely be asked to respond to Macdonald's account of the conflict.
## Key takeaway

Using publicly available social media videos for game prep sparked a major conflict between two NFL coaches that nearly went public.