John Schneider
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John Schneider believes a new law in the state of Washington could cause some trouble for the Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks may have just won Super Bowl LX, but they have made it clear they aren’t going to sit around and let the offseason pass them by. So far, the Seahawks have been active in free agency, and while the majority of their big moves have seen them retain several key players from their championship team, they have also brought some new faces to town.
One of the big advantages that general manager John Schneider has been able to use to attract external free agents during his time with the team is the fact that the state of Washington doesn’t have a “millionaire tax” in place. However, that could be set to change soon, which could make it tougher for Schneider and the front office to convince free agents to sign with Seattle.
John Schneider Gets Real on Impact of Washington’s New Tax
There are a lot of different factors that go into free agency in the NFL. For some guys, earning the best bang for their buck is their primary incentive for hitting the open market. And if that’s the case, the Seahawks have been one of the most attractive teams to sign with in years past because of Washington’s lenient taxes on millionaires.
Essentially, states without strict tax laws for high-grossing workers present better financial opportunities for these professional athletes. With this so-called “millionaire tax” not existing in Washington, that means that a player is going to be taxed less if they sign with Seattle, rather than if they sign with a team like the New England Patriots, for example.
However, that advantage appears to have flown out the window, as Washington has passed a new income tax on high earners that will eventually have an impact on the Seahawks’ players. When discussing the new “millionaire tax,” Schneider admitted that it could make his life more difficult in the future.
“There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, ‘Hey, can’t use that anymore, buddy,'” Schneider said on his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show. “I think it is for all the pro teams here in town. It’s always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, it’s going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint and what that looks like.”
When will the Seahawks Have to Worry About Washington’s Newest Tax?
John Schneider general manager Seattle Seahawks
GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: John Schneider, General manager of the Seattle Seahawks, celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
While this tax won’t go into place until 2028, this is still an issue that the team has to worry about right now. When signing players to multi-year deals, they will likely be taking into account the fact that, by the time their deal ends, they could be earning less money because they will face stricter taxes as a result of their earnings.
And yet, when you build a team as competitive as the one Seattle has, players are going to want to join it, no matter what the financials may look like. This new tax may make things a little more difficult for the Seahawks, but there’s no doubt they will find a way to continue bringing guys to town in the future.