Well, it’s certainly been a tumultuous week in Seattle Seahawks Land.
Franchise icon wide receiver Tyler Lockett was released. Running mate DK Metcalf requested a trade shortly after. Geno Smith got traded to the Las Vegas Raiders to reunite with Pete Carroll. And then, DK Metcalf got shipped to thePittsburgh Steelers.
Whew.
Besides the release of Lockett, this is probably not what John Schneider had in mind for this offseason. According to reports, Geno and the Seahawks were far apart on contract negotiations (although new reporting suggests maybe not as much as first thought), so Seattle pivoted to a trade and will look for a new starting quarterback. Schneider could have found the money for Geno if he wanted to. Instead, he chose to move on now in return for draft compensation and salary cap relief with a void at the most important position in football.
This could work out well, earning Schneider a long-term extension to keep him overseeing the Seahawks for a second decade. Or, it could fail spectacularly and he’ll be looking for a new job; his existing contract carries him through the 2027 offseason.
Either way, mad respect to him for choosing this path. In a league where GMs are one bad season away from being shown the door, the fact that he’s been in Seattle for so long is already an anomaly. You need to have a certain amount of “intestinal fortitude” to get that job in the first place and make some of the necessary decisions that the job requires. Remember all the arrows that he took for cutting Sherm and Bobby, trading Russ, etc? I’m sure that didn’t feel too good.
Now, that microscope Schneider was under is magnified 1000x. If Seattle doesn’t improve on their record and make the playoffs, he likely loses his job. Whomever is under center next season will contribute the most to the outcome, whether positively or negatively. Maybe it’s Sam Darnold, as is heavily rumored. In fact, that could already be in the works by the time you’re reading this. Schneider could also have his eyes on a rookie in the draft. Most likely, it’s a combination of both a’la 2012 with the Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson scenario.
Seattle has rarely been a boring team with John Schneider at the helm and these recent moves have continued that trend. And you know what? I’m here for it. Schneider is putting his neck on the line with these moves and I’m pretty sure that this next season will decide his future in Seattle.
Props to you, JS, for making these tough decisions. Now, you better hope they work out.