Schneider added the title of president of football operations in 2024. But when asked Thursday if he could have imagined being in charge of the Seahawks\u2019 personnel for that long, the 54-year-old had a simple answer: \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a total blessing,\u201d Schneider said Thursday. \u201cI read this really cool article the other day about culture as an artifact of relationships. Is it that hard to just treat people the right way, work your (butt) off and do it the way you want to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Seahawks preparing to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, it\u2019s clear that Schneider\u2019s approach was successful this season. His shrewd moves in free agency and the NFL draft helped the Seahawks build a deep, talented roster that won 14 games in the regular season and two home playoff games as the NFC\u2019s top seed.<\/p>\n
Related: An in-depth look at how Schneider built Seahawks back into a title contender<\/a><\/p>\n Schneider brought in quarterback Sam Darnold on a three-year, $100.5 million contract while also signing veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, among others.<\/p>\n Darnold made his second straight Pro Bowl and stabilized the most important position on the field. Lawrence, in his 12th season, had 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and returned two fumbles for touchdowns.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re bringing people into your building, especially in free agency, you want to make sure that the quality of the person, do we know exactly what we\u2019re getting?\u201d Schneider said. \u201cSo we had a great background with those guys, the character, the person, the work ethic, love of the game, the grit, all the things you\u2019ve heard for years and years.\u201d<\/p>\n Seahawks GM Schneider named PFWA\u2019s Executive of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n The Seahawks have also benefited from a bold move Schneider made four years ago.<\/p>\n In March of 2022, Schneider traded quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver for a package of draft picks and players. Schneider used those picks to select All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, left tackle Charles Cross and a pair of edge rushers, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall.<\/p>\n If that wasn\u2019t enough, Schneider has a strong record with first-round draft picks<\/a> in recent years.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s first-round pick, left guard Grey Zabel, upgraded the offensive line. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, taken in the first round in 2024, had seven sacks.<\/p>\n In 2023, when he also took Witherspoon, Schneider drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who blossomed into the NFL\u2019s leader in yards receiving this season.<\/p>\n \u201cMan, Spoon is a heartbeat guy, the whole building feels him,\u201d Schneider said. \u201cThey\u2019re just these completely different personalities, but in their own right. Everybody just totally respects Jax, the way he handles himself. It was amazing to have two guys that we thought were top five to seven players in that draft.\u201d<\/p>\n Seattle has one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, but at the moment, Schneider isn\u2019t focused on the future beyond Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California, when his team will meet the Patriots with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a rematch of the Super Bowl 11 years ago, when Schneider\u2019s Seahawks fell agonizingly short of repeating as champions \u2014 by losing to New England.<\/p>\n \u201cTried not to think about that too much,\u201d Schneider said. \u201cThat was an amazing game, though. But no, it really doesn\u2019t (matter). It\u2019s, OK, what\u2019s the next team we\u2019re playing?\u201d<\/p>\n More Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl coverage<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0A lucky mistake? Seattle Seahawks\u2019 Lawrence disputes McVay\u2019s claim<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Super Bowl Injury Report: Seahawks, Patriots hit practice field<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0The Super Bowl uniforms for Seahawks and Patriots are set<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Jeremiah: Seattle Seahawks have more talent, but Pats have 3 to worry about<\/a>
\u2022 Seahawks could make Super Bowl a nightmare for Pats QB Drake Maye<\/a><\/p>\n
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