At 10-7, the Seattle Seahawks beat most expectations in 2024. To take the next step forward in 2025, they'll need to improve in several areas. No one is on the hot seat to show that improvement more than GM John Schneider.
Despite the wishes of a small minority of 12s, it doesn't appear that Geno Smith will have a new work address anytime soon. John Schneider made it quite clear for those in the back row that Smith is the Hawks guy for now. Just as importantly, Mike Macdonald agrees. So, number 7 is most definitely not on the hot seat this offseason.
As for the rest of the team, there are obviously several untouchables. Even if the unthinkable happens - say, a bad season on the field in 2025 - certain members of the Seahawks have earned a lot of leeway. Leonard Williams, Devon Witherspoon, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are three players that come to mind. All three had their doubters at some stage in their first or second seasons. Now, they're clearly among the core of the Hawks. The next four people - well, they're on the "prove it" plan now.
John Schneider needs to take the Seahawks personnel to the next level
John Schneider. I might as well start with the obvious name. There was a reason I didn't specify "players", after all. I've been a fan of Schneider ever since he drafted Kam Chancellor in the fifth round. I wasn't smart enough to know how great that pick was at the time, but he was. His legacy of late-round steals continued with selections like Richard Sherman and Chris Carson (and maybe Riq Woolen - see below).
The trade of Russell Wilson to the Broncos was his master stroke. For the most part, it's held up over time. There is zero doubt that adding picks that Schneider turned into Charles Cross, Boye Mafe, Devon Witherspoon, and Derick Hall. That more than made up for the ill-fated trade for Jamal Adams.
As I said, it's held up for the most part. Of the three players the Seahawks received in the deal, only Noah Fant remains, and the Hawks never made the best use of him. Shelby Harris was gone by the next season, and Drew Lock followed after 2023. That being said, would I take Cross, Mafe, Spoon, and Hall over an aging Wilson? Heck yeah, and you would too.
But that doesn't change the fact that Schneider has also made some pretty questionable draft choices. You can go as far back as 2013 and think...um, who did the Hawks pick? Yes, there are gems scattered throughout, like Frank Clark and Tyler Lockett in 2015, Jarran Reed in 2016, and the 2018 draft of Rashaad Penny. Will Dissly, and Michael Dickson. Just a reminder: Penny only had one significant injury at San Diego State, playing in 54 games over four seasons.
But Schneider also selected Malik McDowell, L.J. Collier, and Dee Eskridge with the Seahawks' first picks in those drafts. The stellar draft of 2022 reestablished his reputation, deservedly so. But Schneider's continued dismissal of the importance of the interior line has handicapped the Seahawks' offense for too long. His recent clarification of his stance still seems to miss the point.
He can love Geno Smith more than anyone on the planet, including Geno's mom. But unless Smith gets some protection, all that toughness and leadership can only win so many games. Like, about 10. Kenneth Walker III is one of the best backs in the league, but it's hard to prove that behind Seattle's mediocre offensive line.
If you don't think that's accurate, check out Mr. Saquon Barkely's performance in 2023 with the crapfest they called an O-line in New York. Now, look at what he did with the machine they've assembled in Philadelphia. He more than doubled his yardage and scoring. Oh, and won a Super Bowl, too.
John Schneider has to show that he finally understands that it doesn't matter how much he values guards or if the league overvalues them. The league pays them, and winning teams acquire them. Until he does the same, the Seahawks will be relegated to the "Oh, if we'd only been able to pick up that first down" category of teams.
